Jason Licht: Cade Otton “Needs A Complement”
March 3rd, 2024
Bucs GM Jason Licht explains.
Yesterday morning Joe shared a link to an article that suggested the Bucs should sign a free agent tight end.
Aaron Schatz, the founder of Football Outsiders (RIP) and the inventor of DVOA, believed the Bucs signing Houston tight end Dalton Schultz would go a long way in helping Bucs tight end Cade Otton, the Bucs’ passing game and the Bucs’ run game.
It seems Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht is on the same wavelength.
Standing last week at a podium before the throng of #NFLMedia at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis last week, Licht was asked about Otton.
While Licht likes Otton, he admitted the Washington product could use some help.
“He made some big plays for us,” Licht said of Otton. “[He has] been a very steady player.
“You know, sometimes he doesn’t appear to be like the flashiest player, but he’s very consistent and he’s capable of being an every-down player, but he needs a complement, too.
“We’re excited about Payne [Durham]. We will see where Payne comes along this year.”
Durham is interesting in that he’s big so he can block. But he is slow getting downfield, even though Durham actually did make some plays downfield.
While Durham could be something, Joe still thinks it would be smart to sign a veteran tight end, maybe in the second wave of free agency, who is a better blocker than Otton and is a proven producer in the passing game.
March 3rd, 2024 at 12:23 am
maybe if you weren’t wasting pick on ko Kieft.
March 3rd, 2024 at 12:30 am
Well by Tuesday we will know about the Tag. If they don’t tag Baker or Mike, we might just have enough money for Shultz. And just about any other FA they really want.
Say it isn’t so.
March 3rd, 2024 at 1:23 am
Draft a TE
March 3rd, 2024 at 1:30 am
Saw a couple of TE’s that I liked…
Ja Tavian Sanders from Texas looks explosive…
If we go a little later then this kid Theo Johnson from Penn Stare looked impressive…..Dude is HUGE!!
6’6” and ran 4.57 forty… great body control and he’s a bigger TE which I think would help with run blocking …
March 3rd, 2024 at 1:31 am
Other note, has anybody been watching the combine today?
That kid Ladd McKonkey looks like the 2024 version of Wes Welker or Julianne Edelman…
Journalists were talking about some of the better corners coming out this year and they kept saying that had great seasons except for that one game against McKonkey…….
The kid has quickness and impeccable route running already.
Then today he runs a 4.39 forty 😳😳😳….
And for a “Caucasian” dude, that’s blazing, haha!!!!
All I can think about is Cooper Kupp but with even more wheels….
I think I want this kid for the Bucs!!
We already have his WR inch from Georgia as well…
March 3rd, 2024 at 1:31 am
Oops, we have McKonkey’s WR COACH here already…
March 3rd, 2024 at 1:32 am
Oops, we have McKonkey’s Wide receiver COACH here already…
March 3rd, 2024 at 4:27 am
Lol, I tried to tell ya’ll about WR Xavier Worthy!
March 3rd, 2024 at 5:04 am
Who is asking him about Otten at the combine? Someone hoping he is gonna announce he is drafting a TE in the first round? Ain’t happening folks! Schultz can come and play for free? No? That ain’t happening either.
Geez!
We got Tight ends coming out of the woodwork one who hasn’t even dressed for a game yet. Another that we refuse to use properly. We need a true #1 tight end, as in blocks and catches. (Along with most of the NFL) That is not in the top 3 of priorities for us in this draft.
Go Bucs!
March 3rd, 2024 at 6:25 am
Other than offensive line Licht is not that good in offensive draft selections examples Trask, Vaughan, Durham, Kieft etc.
March 3rd, 2024 at 6:34 am
Round 1 guard
Round 2 center
Round 3 tight end
In that order
March 3rd, 2024 at 6:44 am
They need to draft a TE in the later rounds and should go for that guy out of Illinois who is 270 and runs a 4.65 forty.
March 3rd, 2024 at 7:44 am
Cade Stover, 3rd round.
March 3rd, 2024 at 8:13 am
In rds 1-3 we need to draft players who can get on the field immediately in the key need positions. I don’t see us drafting a TE in the early rounds, and maybe not all at, signing a TE after the draft.
Otton and Durham are big enough to block but aren’t very good at it. I’m glad we have a new TE coach who can develop these guys, especially in blocking.
March 3rd, 2024 at 9:12 am
4th rd TE from Ohio State or FSU.
March 3rd, 2024 at 9:24 am
As much as this is a stronger class for WR, I think this is a weak class for TE’s.
Bowers will be gone long before the Bucs picks in the 1st round.
The next two seem to be Sanders and Stover. They have starter grades and are in the top 100.
The rest of the TE’s seem to be both outside the top 100 prospects by a consensus of rankings and graded as NFL backups for their career.
That being the case, don’t reach for a TE. Instead let’s see if Durham can make a step forward like a lot of guys do in their 2nd season.
March 3rd, 2024 at 9:41 am
Been clamoring for a TE top draft pick for months….
C/G, TE, RB, S
That is what I’m hoping for.
We have spent 4 of our last 6 top picks on the front 7…..
Time to bolster the offense.
March 3rd, 2024 at 9:42 am
ILB Peyton Wilson to replace Devin.
March 3rd, 2024 at 9:49 am
Find a blocker in FA. TEs aren’t breaking the bank in FA but these other positions are. That Sinnott tested well, I would be fine with that after round 3 but otherwise I think draft needs are elsewhere.
Payton Wilson LB that people keep mentioning… he looks like injuries waiting to happen. Isn’t he old to? Anyway, I am not basing my opinion on much but he looks very risky to me.
March 3rd, 2024 at 10:17 am
This is a pretty piss poor TE draft class. We don’t need anymore rookies trying to learn on the fly and we don’t need an overly expensive FA. Otton has a chance to explode on the scene I believe this season. Durham developed nicely last year. Those two need a solid veteran to help a little bit, that’s all.
March 3rd, 2024 at 10:18 am
Amazing how Joe defends Hainsey”s blocking, yet goes after Otton who is improving and becoming a solid TE
March 3rd, 2024 at 10:27 am
They need to fed otton…… once they fully utilize him….then start with a complimentary te….
March 3rd, 2024 at 12:08 pm
Otton and Durham are big enough to block but aren’t very good at it. I’m glad we have a new TE coach who can develop these guys, especially in blocking
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@JimBobBuc – we don’t have a new TE coach. Keep up.
March 3rd, 2024 at 12:47 pm
Im hoping for day one and two picks on the offensive side as well, but Coach Bowles is likely to need all the help he can get on defense. TE is a bit of a luxury pick with the needs we have. I would love the team to draft a lineman that can play Center this season.
March 3rd, 2024 at 1:04 pm
What’s up with Payne? Thought he was known for his size and incredible hands???
March 3rd, 2024 at 2:05 pm
Durham was never a great blocker at Purdue, not part of the offensive. That said he was always open – schemed open I’m thinking now. And absolutely will make the contested catch. He and Otton make a good pair. Another year of experience should help. Smart to add some competition.
March 3rd, 2024 at 2:06 pm
March 3rd, 2024 at 1:04 pm
What’s up with Payne? Thought he was known for his size and incredible hands???
@BucemUp- 6 catches. 2 were ESPN top 10 of those days. Lol.
March 3rd, 2024 at 5:52 pm
Noah Fant would be a nice add. Played under Canales in Seattle.
Handful of interesting options in free agency. Pretty strong class at TE, and I’d definitely go veteran at TE. Otton and Durham were both rough their first 8 games, and we need someone ready to go right away this year.
March 3rd, 2024 at 6:38 pm
“gotbbucs Says:This is a pretty piss poor TE draft class”
Sinnott is all the Bucs need at TE to go with Cade & Payne but also like Spann-Ford later in the draft
^^mtn^^
Since ’76
March 4th, 2024 at 11:27 am
Harrison Bryant is an ufa this year and could likely be picked up on the cheap. Guy has decent set of hands and is a above average to good blocker, plus he already has established chemistry with Baker. Could be a good, cheap pickup for the Bucs