The New Secret Weapon: Cade Otton
October 28th, 2024
Cade Otton flexes after a catch.
Joe twittered during the game yesterday that if Bucs tight end Cade Otton isn’t careful, he may have a bunch of new fans in the Tampa Bay area.
Though Otton rarely comes off the field, he doesn’t get a whole lot of targets. Why would he when you’ve got Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to throw to?
Last year Otton logged 97 percent of the Bucs’ offensive snaps. This year, prior to yesterday’s loss to Atlanta, Otton had been a part of 92 percent of the offense’s plays.
So at worst, Otton is dependable.
Yesterday, Otton had his second strong game in a row, nine catches on 10 targets for 81 yards and two touchdowns. Last week he had eight catches for 100 yards. Again, pretty good. But what impressed Joe was how the Bucs used him to get most of his yards.
It seems Otton is the new Godwin. Liam Coen had Otton at slot yesterday and Otton took care of business, types Eric Edholm of NFL.com.
Otton amassed the majority of his production from the slot, hauling in all five of his targets for 48 yards and a touchdown from such an alignment.
If Otton can keep this up he will be even more valuable. Joe is sure outside of maybe Rachaad White (who, yes, is a running back) the Bucs don’t have a physical player to play slot.
While Otton isn’t overly physical, he beefed up in the offseason and showed he has become a better blocker. And, of course, last week against the Crows he got the snot knocked out of him and each time he bounced back up.
Joe hears so much about “next man up.” There is no such man on the roster who can replace Evans or Godwin. But their injuries do open doors for others to shine.
It seems Otton is doing just that.
Cade Otton's second TD on #NationalTightEndsDay!
Bucs are back in it.
📺: #ATLvsTB on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/ZZDLInY3RP— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
October 28th, 2024 at 9:03 am
Solid TE…..TBBF thinks Otton has Greg Olsen potential.
October 28th, 2024 at 9:06 am
Baker knows Cade will run the right route. History and trust.
October 28th, 2024 at 9:11 am
Not sure why Baker always has to throw into a tight window for every completion. Maybe he should ask how Cousins doesn’t have to when he plays the Bucs? Rarely is there a defender within 5 yards of a ATL receiver.
October 28th, 2024 at 9:11 am
So, Shepherd has a hammy? If so Otton is or only trustworthy slot
October 28th, 2024 at 9:15 am
Secret weapon on Sun. Upcoming teams will sell out on the run and Otton. Try to make Baker beat em with the wideouts.
Otton was excellent end of last week and against ATL. Happy to see it for him.
October 28th, 2024 at 9:19 am
Otton has likely always been capable but when you got guys like Godwin and Evans, there’s only so many balls to go around. I could see a scenario if he excels in Godwins role where he’s a better bargain than Godwin and Bucs let Godwin walk.
October 28th, 2024 at 9:27 am
Bucs are good now at OL, TE, QB and RB. If the young wideouts can play average, the offense will be fine.
Bring back Evans and trade for four decent linebackers and we’ll really be rolling!
October 28th, 2024 at 9:29 am
Can,t we find a receiver from the CFL after the Grey cup?
October 28th, 2024 at 9:32 am
I’m happy for Otten. Solid player, won’t make anyone forget Gronk, but a solid player finally getting some looks with the top two being out. He is the guy Baker has the most confidence and chemistry with on the field
October 28th, 2024 at 9:34 am
Yes, CFL players are allowed to join NFL teams after the Grey Cup, but there is a specific window during the offseason where they can sign with NFL teams without penalty to their CFL contract; essentially, they can only sign with an NFL team after the CFL season has concluded and during a designated period for NFL tryouts.
Key points about CFL players and the NFL:
No mid-season signing:
CFL players cannot sign with NFL teams mid-season during the CFL regular season.
Offseason window:
After the Grey Cup, there is a designated period where CFL players can try out for and sign with NFL teams.
Contract opt-out:
If a CFL player signs with an NFL team during this window, they can opt out of their remaining CFL contract.
October 28th, 2024 at 9:35 am
“So at worst, Otton is dependable.”
Yeah, at worst.. We could get rid of him and bring in a better TE, one who can catch, produce when called upon and play nearly every down, in every game..
“So at worst, Otton is dependable”
Must just be more of that Joe supporting of a Buccaneer #1 TE…. SMH…
Otton is a very good TE. And when his number is dialed up he produces.. Is he Gronk, no what TE in the game today is??
Is he better than Brate, Jackwagon, and any other Bucs TE not named Gilles yes he is.
Why the constant need to belittle just to belittling a BUCCANEER player?? SMH…
Yeah “Joe only writes about what Joe finds interesting” do you find interest in putting down the Buccaneer players with comments like this???
“So at worst, Otton is dependable.”
October 28th, 2024 at 9:42 am
We need a QB don’t y’all see (JAMEIS MAYFIELD!!!!) Can not get it done we need a QB ASAP!!!!!
October 28th, 2024 at 9:44 am
He’s tough. Bowels will put him on the edge on defense and drop him 30 yards deep in coverage, where no opposing receivers are. He’s got the perfect qualifications for a Todd Blowes defender.
October 28th, 2024 at 10:06 am
Todd is great, Todd is good, Todd bless the Bucs.
October 28th, 2024 at 10:09 am
otton is a little more than just dependable…
he has really good hands…
and if he was on a team that heavily uses tight ends in the passing game, he’d be a borderline nfl star…
in fact we’re gonna have to think about resigning him soon enough…
and also with godwin down for the year, cade’s numbers could continue to escalate…happy for him…
but……
with all this usage he and the team are going to have to start considering trying to limit the shots he’s taking from defenders…one game is one thing – but every week and he’s gonna get hurt or really wear down…so gotta start to consider the on field beatings he’s taking – like vs baltimore…preservation is key too
October 28th, 2024 at 10:10 am
baker mayfield = our super qb
bleaker tryfield = the interception machine
October 28th, 2024 at 11:03 am
Reminds me of Dave Moore
October 28th, 2024 at 11:50 am
Where’s the immortal Cyril Grayson when you need him?
October 28th, 2024 at 11:50 am
Cade Otten is a tremendous offensive weapon !! He just gets open !! That slant he and Baker have at the goal line is almost impossible to defend !! Stay healthy Cade !!
Go Bucs !!
October 28th, 2024 at 1:13 pm
Otton has always been the one that if you look away and look back, he shows up out of nowhere. He showed us yesterday what an asset he is to the Bucs. So happy to see him shine on National tight-end day.
October 28th, 2024 at 1:30 pm
Literally 90% of the morons in the comments wanted him cut earlier this season. It’s remarkable how dumb most fans are.
October 28th, 2024 at 2:42 pm
No statistics to prove it, but Otton often looked wide open when Baker was trying to force passes to Evans and Godwin. Wondered, why he was not used more consistently. Sure he could drop a pass or two, but so could Evans. Glad to see him set up.
October 28th, 2024 at 2:42 pm
*step up
October 28th, 2024 at 3:33 pm
Some of us called it.
Don’t sleep on Otton !
On a side note…. I thought Rakeem Jarret (who?) looked like a natural out there !
He could be a factor if he stays healthy 👍🏼
October 28th, 2024 at 7:52 pm
He’s such a secret weapon that Bowles, Coen and Mayfield all completely forgot about him after halftime. That’s one heck of a secret!
October 28th, 2024 at 11:41 pm
Finally Otton is getting some recognition. Dude is like durable Donnie and hated like him to. Yet he shows up and now he’s taking care of business cause if the injuries. All I got to say is TB12 trusted Otton so should yall