Shall we talk about Cade Otton?
The most exciting part of the Buccaneers offseason is over – pre-draft scouting, free agency, the NFL Draft, OTAs, minicamp – which means it’s time to settle in for what feels like the longest wait until training camp begins in late July.
The intense NFL offseason is dominated by storylines leading up to the upcoming season, with media and fans alike spending June and July discussing various rankings and the big news that is sure to emerge once the season begins in September.
With that in mind, the idea here is to zero in on the Buccaneers’ biggest stars and dive into the bigger storylines heading into the 2024 season, player by player. Starting with the quarterback: Baker Mayfieldwide receiver Mike Evans and Chris Godwin And the running back Ratchad WhiteContinuing on, today we’ll be looking at third-year tight end Cade Otton.
Buccaneers Story: Cade Otton
Here are the three biggest storylines surrounding Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton in 2024.
Was Cade Otton’s playoff run a sign of things to come?
![Buccaneers storyline: What's in store for Cade Otton in 2024? Buccaneers Te Cade Otton](https://www.pewterreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Otton-Cade-Bucs-Rams-great-look-300x200.jpg)
Buccaneers TE Cade Otton – Photo: Cliff Welch/PR
Cade Otton was quietly one of the Buccaneers’ biggest scorers in last year’s playoffs. In the Wild Card game, a 32-9 win over the Eagles, he led the team in receptions, catching 8 of 11 passes for 89 yards (11.1 average) with a longest reception of 24 yards. He then finished second in Tampa Bay’s receptions behind Mike Evans in the season-ending NFC Divisional Round loss to the Lions. Otton caught 5 of 8 passes for 65 yards and a touchdown in the loss. Combined over the past two weeks, the second-year tight end caught 13 of 19 passes for 154 yards (11.8 average) and a touchdown.
So is this a sign of things to come for the Buccaneers’ top tight end? He’s loved making game-winning plays in his first two years in the league, scoring game-winning touchdowns against the Rams (2022) and Falcons (2023) and scoring a key touchdown late against the Saints (2022), and would have scored a game-winning touchdown against the Texans last year had the Buccaneers’ defense not crumbled late in the game.
But while some of the touchdown catches he had in his first two seasons in the NFL were big, a more consistent performance like the one he showed in the postseason would elevate his status within the league, and simply within the Buccaneers’ pass-catching hierarchy. As the 2023 season progressed, it seemed like he’d developed a really strong bond with Baker Mayfield, and the two are looking to keep that momentum going in 2024.
Otton increased his receiving yards from 391 as a rookie to 455 last year and doubled his touchdowns from two to four, and if he can continue to be a key part of the passing game like he was in the playoffs, he could easily put up more yards this season, possibly recording 50-55 catches for 500-600 yards and four or five touchdowns.
Can Cade Otton be an all-around tight end?
![Buccaneers storyline: What's in store for Cade Otton in 2024? Buccaneers Te Cade Otton](https://www.pewterreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Otton-Cade-Bucs-Lions-inline-300x200.jpg)
![Buccaneers storyline: What's in store for Cade Otton in 2024? Buccaneers Te Cade Otton](https://www.pewterreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Otton-Cade-Bucs-Lions-inline-300x200.jpg)
Buccaneers TE Cade Otton – Photo: Cliff Welch/PR
Cade Otton will look to improve his pass-catching production year-over-year, as he did in 2022-2023, but it’s his blocking that really needs to improve in 2024. That’s a big hurdle he’ll have to get over before he can be viewed as an all-around tight end.
Otton admitted this offseason that he wants to be the guy the team can rely on to run behind them, as well as take care of defenders behind run plays. He told local media during OTAs: He’s aiming for the Pro Bowl. As much as his receiving stats have to do with it, taking a step forward as a blocker is one of his big focuses heading into 2024.
He’s right. Pro Football Focus In terms of blocking grade, Otton took a big step back on the blocking side last year. His rookie pass-blocking grade dropped from 79.3 to 47.4 in his second year, and his run-blocking grade dropped from 59.6 to 51.7 last year. The drop-off coincided with the 2022 fourth-round draft pick taking on a bigger role last year and becoming the Buccaneers’ top tight end following the offseason release of Cameron Brate. Otton has since played 98% of the offensive snaps and has been the team’s iron man.
Whether or not a bigger role and higher snap rate (and the natural wear and tear that comes with it) contributed to his ineffective blocking, Otton needs to be better in 2024. He knows it, and if he can take that next step, he could emerge as a more complete player in Year 3. And with the Buccaneers rapidly approaching a decision on a potential second contract (Otton becomes a free agent after 2025), the 25-year-old will need to start proving he’s good in all aspects of his game soon.
Will Cade Otton live up to the Buccaneers’ trust?
![Buccaneers storyline: What's in store for Cade Otton in 2024? Buccaneers Te Cade Otton](https://www.pewterreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Otton-Cade-Bucs-Eagles-stiff-arm-300x200.jpg)
![Buccaneers storyline: What's in store for Cade Otton in 2024? Buccaneers Te'Cade Otton](https://www.pewterreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Otton-Cade-Bucs-Eagles-stiff-arm-300x200.jpg)
Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton – Photo courtesy of USA Today
With Cade Otton entering the third year of his four-year rookie contract, the 2024 season could be a big help in helping the Buccaneers make a decision about his long-term future. General manager Jason Licht, head coach Todd Bowles and the rest of Tampa Bay’s decision-makers have shown a lot of faith in Otton over the past two offseasons.
Last year, the team waived veteran Cameron Brate to pave the way for the former Washington star to become the team’s top player in his second year in the NFL, signaling they believe he can be a true TE1. And the team’s only addition to their tight end corps this offseason was seventh-round draft pick Devin Culp, another sign of faith in Otton and his ability to be the Buccaneers’ TE1.
It’s up to Otton to live up to Tampa Bay’s trust. Currently, he’s the only proven tight end on the team, with Co Kieft, Payne Durham, David Wells and Culp behind him. His development as the team’s top tight end last year was clearly enough to make Licht and company comfortable with him continuing in that role in 2024. But with new offensive coordinator Liam Cohen cutting down on two-tight-end sets and using more of a three-receiver look, there will be a lot of pressure on Otton as the primary tight end.
If Otton continues to develop, Tampa Bay could continue to view him as a player worthy of a second contract at some point in the next few years. But if his production plateaus and he looks more like a TE1-TE1A fringe player than a solid top player, it will undoubtedly be much easier for the Buccaneers to look for a step up next offseason. In other words, Otton needs to earn the team’s trust again this season. If not, Tampa Bay could view tight end as a big need next offseason and ultimately demote the 2022 fourth-round draft pick to a TE2 role in the final year of his contract.
Cade Otton was one of the Buccaneers’ top players in last season’s playoffs, and there’s quietly a lot of excitement surrounding his 2024 season.