X-Factor Cade Otton
May 6th, 2022
Yes, the Bucs drafted a tight end with the very first pick of Round 4.
Much is known of Cade Otton, but in many ways he’s an unknown.
Otton did not perform on the field at the NFL Scouting Combine because he was injured with a broken leg and a sprained ankle. Otton didn’t run at his Pro Day, either.
Ask former Bucs tight end Anthony Becht, who mentored this year’s crop of college tight ends at the Combine, and he’ll tell you that Otton played in a system at the University of Washington that did not play to his strengths. Per Becht’s comments on WDAE Radio yesterday, Otton maxed out at Washington because of the limits within their offense.
Now Otton, who stands at 6-5, 250 pounds, has landed in Tampa. His ceiling isn’t clear. But he is universally lauded for his complete game and Becht praised his strength on intermediate routes.
With Rob Gronkowski setting himself for a light load in training camp, and Cameron Brate being a fragile nine-year veteran, Joe is very confident Otton will get a ton of work this summer, even with the first team.
That makes Otton a real X-factor for Joe. Otton will get his shot to impress Tom Brady. If Brady likes him, Joe knows Bucs fans will see him on the field more than they expected on the night he was drafted.
May 6th, 2022 at 12:46 pm
If that offence didn’t play to his strengths, how do you know what his strengths are?
May 6th, 2022 at 12:51 pm
The bucs desperately need TE production from players not named gronk. I’m excited to see what he can do. In the games gronk missed last year, bucs TEs produced a paltry 10 catches on 29 targets. That’s unacceptable. I agree with Joe, that he’ll get plenty of opportunities in camp. Personally, I’d love to see more two TE sets. It’ll help the running game, and consequently Brady’s play action passing.
May 6th, 2022 at 1:44 pm
I don’t like his injury history, but he certainly looks the part and could do some damage if he stays healthy considering the unknowns with our tight ends.
May 6th, 2022 at 1:51 pm
Coming from a football family, Otten has the football IQ. Hopefully like Winfield does. The learning curve is not as step for these guys.
From all thar I’ve read, Otten knows how to get open.
May 6th, 2022 at 1:53 pm
I think this kid will be good. Certainly better than Tanner Hudson.
May 6th, 2022 at 1:56 pm
Love Otton…..our “free” pick in the 4th round…….
May 6th, 2022 at 2:02 pm
Wr heard the same comment about OJ that they didn’t utilize him properly. I’m ok projecting more based on where we picked him. Hopefully he pans out
May 6th, 2022 at 2:19 pm
What ever happened to Tanner?
May 6th, 2022 at 2:21 pm
Coburns right. We never used OJ properly. Then TB12 wouldnt trust him.
Im hoping it’s a very high cieling for Otten. He will always be tied to the Logan Hall pick so maybe both will work out.
May 6th, 2022 at 2:22 pm
Oh, he went to the Niners.
May 6th, 2022 at 2:32 pm
I agree Joe. Otton simply needs to pass the “Tom Brady test”. Do that and he’ll be golden!
May 6th, 2022 at 2:37 pm
Biff I was actually thinking more about the time OJ spent at Alabama. He was used more as a blocker, but people really projected his hands. So it’s the second college prospect at the position we have drafted with some projection. Our investment is obviously lower.
Nothing you said was wrong though really. Just hasn’t thought about that part as well. Seems some of that def got carried into the pros
May 6th, 2022 at 2:55 pm
Buczilla Says:
May 6th, 2022 at 1:44 pm
I don’t like his injury history, but he certainly looks the part and could do some damage if he stays healthy considering the unknowns with our tight ends
Yeah for some reason they seem to like drafting players who have a history of injuries. Not just injuries but bad injuries. They’re usually not the same after stuff like that happens. I’d stay away from them but for some reason it’s like they’re attracted to it.
May 6th, 2022 at 3:56 pm
I realize that Casey Phillips and Scott Smith are paid employees of our Buccaneer franchise with their “Insider” videos. I am only an incomplete ignoramus. Nonetheless, over time I have become convinced that they do not have an open invitation to show up any time they want for any meetings between the coaching staffs and the scouting staffs that occur before the annual drafts. I am fairly sure they don’t have access to the draft board used by Licht and friends during that weekend or afterwards either.
With that said, Smith said something to the effect that he thought that the Bucs watched TE Cade Otton as one of their targets on their board. He concluded they made their move to get him at what they felt was a good time. If true, that says a lot about Otton to me.
May 6th, 2022 at 4:13 pm
Seems I read/hear a lot about some of these guys being picked is influenced a lot by a perception in the personnel room about these guys being from cultural environments that they themselves are from and are familiar/comfortable with .some of the tractor comments and so on. Look,I enjoy f’ing oh gee whiz sentimental/reflective experiences as much as many of us ,I just not sure it is the best way to choose football personnel.
May 6th, 2022 at 4:16 pm
Seems I read/hear a lot about some of these guys being picked is influenced a lot by a perception in the personnel room about these guys being from cultural environments that they themselves are from and are familiar/comfortable with .some of the tractor comments and so on. Look,I enjoy f’ing oh gee whiz sentimental/reflective experiences as much as many of us ,I am just not sure it is the best way to choose football personnel.
May 6th, 2022 at 4:49 pm
Geez another player with a serious injury history. Should have just kept OJ. Lol. Seriously, why do the Bucs continually draft players with bad injuries.
May 6th, 2022 at 8:38 pm
A broken leg at the Combine? That was a few months ago. So he’s not ready for this season? So much for instant impact from him.
Extremely concerned about the injury issues with both Otton and Goedeke.
May 6th, 2022 at 9:58 pm
@Steele- I believe it was broken before the Combine and he is going to be ready for training camp if not sooner. @joe said that he wasn’t able to perform at the Combine or Pro day because of it.
May 6th, 2022 at 10:03 pm
Wade Landry – I’m sorry but what are you talking about ? Sounds like you’re trying to get it out but just can’t pinch that last one off . No pun intended.
May 7th, 2022 at 7:33 am
Hey aside from all star players drafts are a crap shoot. He has good size and if he has good blocking skills and decent hands he will be an upgrade. Bucs really need Gronk for sure but they also need a big physical backup. Hope the kid fills the need.
May 7th, 2022 at 8:33 am
This pick I did like a lot. After Trey McBride he was the best TE in the draft. He is capable as a blocker and receiver which can’t be said for most of the other rookie TE. Having a guy who does both gives the offense an advantage because it doesn’t telegraph what you are doing. Teams that bring in a pass catching TE on passing downs and a blocking TE on run downs telegraph to the defense what they are going to do.