Let’s discuss Cade Otton, we could?
The extra thrilling intervals of the Bucs offseason are over with, as pre-draft scouting, free company, the NFL Draft, OTAs and mini-camps are over. Meaning it’s time to settle in for what feels just like the longest of waits earlier than coaching camp will get underway in late July.
The canine days of the NFL offseason are all about storylines for the upcoming season. Media and followers alike spend the times of June and July passing the time with discourse surrounding all kinds of rankings, in addition to the massive tales which are certain to come back up when the season begins in September.
So, with that in thoughts, the thought right here is to slim in on a number of the Bucs’ greatest stars and go player-by-player to dive into the massive storylines which are in retailer for the 2024 season. After beginning with quarterback Baker Mayfield, large receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and operating again Rachaad White, we proceed right now with third-year tight finish Cade Otton.
Bucs Storylines: Cade Otton
Listed here are three large storylines surrounding Bucs tight finish Cade Otton in 2024:
Was Playoff Cade Otton A Signal Of Issues To Come?
Bucs TE Cade Otton – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Cade Otton was sneakily one of many Bucs’ greatest producers throughout their playoff run final yr. He led the workforce in receiving within the 32-9 Wild Card win over the Eagles, catching eight of his 11 targets for 89 yards (11.1 avg.), with a protracted of 24 yards. Then, within the season-ending loss to the Lions within the NFC Divisional Spherical, he was Tampa Bay’s second-leading receiver behind Mike Evans. Otton caught 5 of his eight targets for 65 yards and a landing within the loss. Combining his manufacturing over these two weeks, the second-year tight finish hauled in 13 of his 19 targets for 154 yards (11.8 avg.) and a landing.
So would possibly that be an indication of issues to come back for the Bucs’ prime tight finish? He’s had a penchant for clutch moments over his first two years within the league, with game-winning touchdowns in opposition to the Rams (2022) and Falcons (2023) in addition to a key landing seize late in a win over the Saints (2022). He additionally ought to’ve had a game-winner in opposition to the Texans final yr had the Buccaneer protection not collapsed late within the recreation.
However as large as a few of his landing catches have been in his first two seasons within the NFL, extra constant performances like those he had within the postseason would elevate his standing throughout the league and easily throughout the hierarchy of the Bucs’ move catchers. He appeared to essentially develop a powerful reference to Baker Mayfield because the 2023 season went on, and the 2 will look to maintain that rolling in 2024.
Otton upped his yardage from 391 as a rookie to 455 final yr whereas doubling his landing manufacturing from two to 4. If he can stay a key element of the passing recreation like he was within the playoffs, he could very nicely see that manufacturing leap even additional this season, maybe someplace within the realm of 50-55 catches for 500-600 yards and one other 4 or 5 touchdowns.
Can Cade Otton Form Up As An All-Round Tight Finish?
Bucs TE Cade Otton – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Whereas Cade Otton will surely wish to hold enhancing upon his pass-catching manufacturing yr over yr the best way he did from 2022 to 2023, the world the place he actually must step up in 2024 is together with his blocking. That’s the massive hurdle he’ll have to clear earlier than he’s checked out as an all-around tight finish.
Otton has acknowledged as a lot this offseason, saying he desires to be somebody his workforce can rely on to run behind along with having the ability to care for defenders on the bottom of run performs. He advised the native media throughout OTAs that he has Professional Bowl aspirations and as a lot as receiving stats go into that, taking a step ahead as a blocker is one among his large focuses heading into 2024.
Going by his Professional Soccer Focus blocking grades, Otton regressed closely within the blocking side of his recreation final yr. He went from a 79.3 pass-blocking grade as a rookie to a 47.4 grade in yr two whereas going from a 59.6 run-blocking grade to a 51.7 mark final yr. That dip coincided with the 2022 fourth-round decide taking over a much bigger position final yr, as he turned the Bucs’ prime tight finish with the offseason launch of Cameron Brate. Otton went on to be the workforce’s iron man, enjoying 98% of offensive snaps.
Whether or not the larger position and better share of snaps — with the pure put on and tear that comes together with that — performed a job in his blocking inefficiency or not, Otton must be higher in 2024. He is aware of it, and if he can take that subsequent step, he’ll spherical into type as a extra full participant in yr three. And contemplating the Bucs’ determination on a possible second contract is quickly approaching (Otton will probably be a free agent after 2025), the 25-year-old will quickly want to begin proving he can excel in all features of his recreation.
Will Cade Otton Reward The Bucs’ Religion In Him?
Bucs TE Cade Otton – Picture by: USA At this time
On the be aware of Cade Otton getting into yr three of his four-year rookie contract, the 2024 season may go a good distance in serving to the Bucs decide on his long-term future. Common supervisor Jason Licht, head coach Todd Bowles and the remainder of Tampa Bay’s decision-makers have proven a large amount of religion in Otton in every of the final two offseasons.
Final yr, they confirmed they believed he could possibly be a real TE1 after they launched veteran Cameron Brate and opened the door for the previous Washington standout to be the highest man within the room in his second NFL season. And this offseason, the workforce’s solely addition to the tight finish room was seventh-round draft decide Devin Culp. That basically served as one other vote of confidence in Otton and his skill to be the Bucs’ TE1.
It’s as much as Otton, now, to reward Tampa Bay’s religion in him. He’s the one confirmed tight finish within the constructing proper now, with Ko Kieft, Payne Durham, David Wells and Culp amongst these behind him. The enhancements he made when he turned the workforce’s prime tight finish final yr have been clearly sufficient for Licht and Co. to really feel snug with him persevering with in that position heading into 2024. However with new offensive coordinator Liam Coen that includes fewer two-tight finish units and extra three-receiver appears to be like, a whole lot of strain will fall on Otton as the first tight finish.
If Otton continues to enhance, Tampa Bay can hold him as somebody worthy of being rewarded with a second contract sooner or later within the subsequent couple of years. But when his manufacturing plateaus and he appears to be like extra like a fringe TE1-TE1A than a solidified prime man, it will definitely make it a lot simpler for the Bucs to maneuver on and search for an improve subsequent offseason. In different phrases, Otton must reward their religion in him as soon as once more this season. In any other case, Tampa Bay may have a look at tight finish as a giant want subsequent offseason and finally relegate their 2022 fourth-round decide to a TE2 position in his contract yr.
So, as sneakily as Cade Otton was one of many Bucs’ prime performers final postseason, there’s quietly loads using on his 2024 season.
