Cade Otton Impressing Loads Of People
August 17th, 2022
Rookie tight end Cade Otton.
Joe typed yesterday, between rookies Cade Otton and Ko Kieft, the Bucs could be set at tight end for a few years, provided sixth-round pick Kieft can make the roster (Joe believes he’s a bubble player only because of the logjam at tight end).
A couple of guys who seem to share Joe’s opinion of Otton are Jim Miller and Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht.
Last week “Movin’ the Chains,”heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio, broadcast live from Bucs training camp. That was the same day Otton ran a downfield route and laid out and caught a touchdown pass.
That got co-host Jim Miller’s attention.
Jim Miller: We hadn’t seen him work out [at the combine]. He’s been dealing with the ankle. For Cade, I didn’t realize he could go as vertical as he did.
Jason Licht: He’s been impressing us every day with his catches. What excites me about him is … he’s good in the run game. He’s good inline. He understands it and he’s got some fire to him too.
Otton is an underrated blocker — Kieft is a better blocker — but damn if Otton isn’t a good receiving tight end. And yes, he is a downfield threat.
Joe firmly believes Otton will be your Bucs starting tight end next season and it would not shock Joe if Otton winds up starting this season.
More and more this year’s rookie crop seems to be really good.
August 17th, 2022 at 4:56 am
I’m not gonna lie, I was extremely disappointed at the draft. The more I read about these guys, the happier I get.
August 17th, 2022 at 5:01 am
College highlight reels can be deceiving for grading many positions as many schools have inferior talent. In other words “the star” can look much better that he could against NFL talent. It’s probably one reason there are so many first round busts.
But route running and pass catching ability cannot be cloaked. You either have the skills or you don’t. And Otton has both!
Watch his reel …
“Otton few downfield …”
Wanna buy an “L” for cheap?
August 17th, 2022 at 5:44 am
Ko is a lock to make the team. He’s everything the Bucs look for in a player. He’ll be a ST’s player, and his ability to lead block like a fullback put’s him in the RB room too. I would not be surprised if he catches some TD’s, and runs one, or two in this season. That versitility to line up in different spots is to good not to land him on the 53.
August 17th, 2022 at 6:30 am
Cade looks to be the next Gronk……to soon?
August 17th, 2022 at 7:08 am
Just wait until otton puts on 5-10 more solid man lbs and knows system inside and out. Good to hear.
He grew up a football player in a football family. Grandfather and father football junkies. Smart kid. He Had no QB at Washington. Now he has the GOAT. Hope they have enough time to develop more chemistry in short period of time
August 17th, 2022 at 7:13 am
Cade kinda looks like and has a similar personality to Anthony Nelson
I just realized it at Nelson’s PC yesterday!
August 17th, 2022 at 7:37 am
He took a hit in the preseason game
August 17th, 2022 at 7:37 am
Ko Kieft will make the team….”logjam” at TE…..we have 4…..Cam, Kyle, Cade & Co….Cody is gone.
August 17th, 2022 at 7:40 am
Another year, another strong draft class… This one actually looks (and I know it’s early) like an exceptional class.
Otton was a favorite of many of the former scouts turned draft analysts leading up to the draft.
August 17th, 2022 at 7:44 am
Unless you protect Kieft, he will be gone. I think we keep him on the 53.
August 17th, 2022 at 7:50 am
Prett clear I think Joe..Bucs carry four: Cam, Cade, Kyle and Ko. Done.
August 17th, 2022 at 8:33 am
Lt. Dan-
The Hard Consonants! Nothing breeds fear into the hearts of opposing teams than a grammatical nickname!
Suh.
August 17th, 2022 at 9:14 am
Ko is a lock. Not sure of the logjam Joe speaks of.
August 17th, 2022 at 9:29 am
Cam Brate, Cade Otton, Kyle Rudolph at a position normally you have three players. There is your logjam. That’s the very definition of a logjam.
August 17th, 2022 at 9:30 am
I’m part of the tribe now: Suh.
August 17th, 2022 at 9:41 am
NEWS FLASH,
Gio is hurt and expendable. Thus, he is a goner, and we love and miss our Fullbacks down here in Tampa.
Gio was getting showcased for a possible trade but with him being hurt. See ya bro.
I like the sound of a 2 back set with any of our running back along side of a bruising fullback.
August 17th, 2022 at 9:54 am
Not to mention, everyone knows you save the Kief for last because it’s the best. But you only get the Kief after the KO is grinded up.
Early nickname for Ko Kieft.
Ko “The Grinder” Kieft. He makes pancakes for his munchies.
The Grinder, making fullbacks great again!
August 17th, 2022 at 10:28 am
Admin –
The Buccaneers have typically kept 4 TE’s on the roster since Licht has been GM. So no, not a logjam. And you are incorrect that teams usually only keep 3.
August 17th, 2022 at 11:07 am
Joe doesn’t study other teams’ rosters so Joe has no idea what they do. Yeah, keeping four tight ends is unusual though do know the Bucs have done this in the past, but they didn’t have a top three like they do now. The way Otton has been practicing, he might become a starter before the end of the year. And yes, that is a true definition of a logjam.
Joe loves Ko Kieft and hopes he makes the team. But barring injury, if he makes the team, he’s not getting more snaps than Cam Brate, Kyle Rudolph or Cade Otton.
August 17th, 2022 at 11:37 am
Joe –
Agreed he’s clearly #4. Although if Gronk announces a comeback tour mid season, The Red-Nosed Reindeer would likely be the odd man out. Either way, great drafting by Licht. Otton seems like a future stud.
August 17th, 2022 at 11:40 am
No doubt! Kieft is a helluva find in the sixth round. This dude can play in the league. If he survives this year, he will be with the Bucs for some time.
August 17th, 2022 at 12:13 pm
I just find it hilarious that Joe is fighting so hard on this subject of logjam when so many of his posters disagree.
Logjam: a situation that seems irresolvable
I remember saying that on football stuff that I think that Joe is right about 85 or 90 percent of the time — like Colin Cowherd. This is shaping up to be one of that 10 percent of the time that he is wrong. I am with the other posters that Ko Kieft will be 1 of the 4 TE’s on the roster when the 53-man team is announced. Therefore, not a situation that seems irresolvable.
My guess is that Giovanni Bernard does not make the initial 53, the Bucs are not worried about him getting picked up. So therefore, they initially keep only 3 running backs. Then when they put Jensen on the IR, Bernard gets back on the team as the 4th running back.
August 17th, 2022 at 12:16 pm
Jackie Treehorn likes Logjammin.
August 17th, 2022 at 12:19 pm
Will the Bucs keep four TEs? Brate, Rudolph, Otton, Ko. It would seem Otton and Ko need to play STs.
August 17th, 2022 at 12:23 pm
He’ll be #4 Joe…sheesh! lol
August 17th, 2022 at 12:33 pm
I see Cade more as a Heath Miller/ steelers type player. He will be just a damn solid player I project. Could see him being the most complete tight end on the team. He’ll prob fill out at 6 5 255lbs, which coincidentally is what Miller played at. I feel the combo of otton and kieft will be solid and complimentary. But I believe cade is much more advanced in the nuances of the game. cade will be the everyday starter but kieft can thrive off of this in I form tight formations. we can keep defenses off balance with 2 tight ends who can block and catch.
August 17th, 2022 at 12:39 pm
Also some nice highlights of Cade against michigan keeping Aiden Hutchinson busy with blocking and receiving and blocking david ojabo on an island as a left tackle . Ko is gonna be exciting with so much upside cant teach toughness and tenacity.
August 17th, 2022 at 12:39 pm
Guessing they’ll be trying hard to keep Kieft on the active roster. Rudolph and Brate are unlikely to play special teams. Otten and Kieft are ideal special teams players.
August 17th, 2022 at 4:15 pm
If Ko is as good as a blocker as has been advertised, I don’t see us letting him go. We need a good blocker at tight end more than we need all three pretty good pass catchers at tight end. I’d much rather say goodbye to either Brate or Rudolph. Ko looks like he could be a Dave Moore type who plays forever.