It’s hard to believe, but some NFL players are not enthusiastic about grinding year-round to improve.

Per Bucs tight ends coach Justin Peelle, Cade Otton is not that guy.

A former starting tight end himself, Peelle is in his first season with the Bucs and has been impressed by his top pupil, Otton.

Peelle told the Buccaneers Radio Network that he interviewed Otton as an assistant coach of the Falcons and was impressed at the time (2022) by Otton’s dedication to football. After arriving in Tampa, Peelle said his admiration kicked up a notch.

“When you witness it, it’s something special,” Peelle said of Otton’s work ethic.

Joe remembers chatting with ex-Bucs tight end Anthony Becht at the NFL Scouting Combine where Becht once served as the resident mentor for college TEs. Becht talked to Joe about how it truly takes a few seasons to develop as blocker at the tight end position, even as a high draft pick.

Peelle emphasized that and noted Otton is hitting that stride now.

“It’s a process coming out of college to block because a lot of them aren’t asked to do it and then the maturity and the physical part of it, you gotta kind of grow into that,” Peelle said. “But he’s always had the willingness. I remember, because I interviewed him coming out [of college], and it was there. Just you know, there was technique stuff. And you got to work the technique, you got to get stronger.

“And he’s never turned it down. He’s been willing to do it. We just had to work on some technique things. And he’s done a great job with it; that was a lot of what we did in the offseason. He embraced. He enjoys it.”

Joe wouldn’t call Otton a special blocker, but he’s certainly improved, and Joe has seen upgraded blocking this year from second-year TE Payne Durham.

The Bucs surely will lean on their emerging rushing attack during the seven-game stretch run of this season, so Otton’s blocking development should come more into focus.

It would be something extra special if Otton turned into a punishing blocker, especially as a fourth-round draft pick. He currently ranks third in the NFL among tight ends with 49 catches behind mind-blowing rookie Brock Bowers and future Hall of Famer Travis Kelce.

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