Cade Otton is the kind of player who makes you look twice at a box score. You see the name, you see the "TE" designation, and maybe you remember him from a random Monday night game where he seemed to be the only person Baker Mayfield was looking at. But if you think he's just another guy filling a gap in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' roster, you're missing the bigger picture of how the modern NFL actually functions.
Honestly, the way we talk about tight ends is usually broken. We want them to be Travis Kelce or George Kittle—freaks of nature who move like wide receivers and block like tackles. Otton isn't that. He’s 6'5", weighs about 247 pounds, and doesn't exactly light the turf on fire with his 40-yard dash time. But here's the thing: he’s on the field for nearly every single snap. In 2023, he played 97% of the Bucs' offensive snaps. That wasn't a fluke. By the middle of the 2024 season, he was still hovering around that 93% mark.
Why? Because Cade Otton is a "football player" in the most literal, gritty sense of the phrase.
The Mid-Season Explosion Nobody Saw Coming
Everything changed for Otton during a brutal stretch in 2024. When Mike Evans went down with a hamstring issue and Chris Godwin suffered that horrific dislocated ankle against the Ravens, the Buccaneers' offense looked like it was heading for a cliff. Most teams would have folded. Instead, Baker Mayfield turned his eyes toward #88.
During a three-game tear following those injuries, Otton didn't just step up; he went nuclear. He caught 25 passes for 258 yards and three touchdowns in that span alone. To put that in perspective, he became the first tight end in the history of the Buccaneers franchise to catch eight or more passes in three consecutive games.
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Think about that for a second.
This is a franchise that had Rob Gronkowski. It had Jimmie Giles. It had Dallas Clark. None of them did what Otton did in that three-week window. He wasn't just a safety valve; he was running the "Godwin role." Liam Coen, the offensive coordinator at the time, started putting Otton in the slot, running him on out-breakers, corners, and those tricky option routes that require a telepathic connection with the quarterback.
Why He’s the Ultimate "Glue Guy"
If you ask Otton about his stats, he’ll probably talk about "taking the charge." It’s a basketball metaphor he uses a lot. Growing up in Tumwater, Washington, he played for his grandfather, a legendary high school coach, and his dad. He learned early on that doing the stuff that doesn't show up in the box score is how you stay on the field.
His blocking is a perfect example.
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NFL scouts like the guys at Ourlads have noted his "explosive hands" and "sturdy base." He’s one of the few young tight ends who doesn't shy away from being an in-line blocker. In 2024, as the Bucs' run game finally found some life with Bucky Irving and Rachaad White, Otton was often the guy sealing the edge or pulling to lead-block. It’s thankless work. It hurts. But it’s why he never leaves the field.
When you're an every-down player, you're a "tell-free" asset. If Otton is in the game, the defense doesn't know if it's a run or a pass. That’s a massive advantage for a quarterback like Mayfield, who thrives on pre-snap reads.
The 2025 Outlook and the "Contract Year" Reality
As we move through the 2025 season, the narrative around Otton is shifting again. He’s entering the final year of his rookie deal. In NFL circles, that’s what we call the "prove-it" window.
His 2024 stats were solid: 59 receptions for 600 yards. Not elite, but high-end "reliable." However, the 2025 season has been a bit of a rollercoaster. He’s dealt with a nagging knee injury that sidelined him for a few weeks, and the Bucs' coaching staff has been forced to look at other options like Payne Durham and Devin Culp.
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There's a real debate happening in Tampa right now.
- The Pro-Otton Camp: They argue his chemistry with Baker is irreplaceable. He knows the system inside out. He’s a leader who doesn't complain when he gets zero targets because he was too busy pass-protecting.
- The "Upgrade" Camp: These folks look at his 9.7 yards-per-catch average and see a ceiling. They want a "vertical threat," someone like Oregon’s Terrance Ferguson or maybe a free agent splash like Mike Gesicki.
Honestly, the idea that the Bucs would just let him walk seems far-fetched. You don't easily replace a guy who can play 1,000+ snaps a year without a drop in quality.
What This Means for You
If you’re a fan or a fantasy manager, stop looking at Cade Otton as a "boom or bust" player. He’s a volume play. When the Bucs' receiving corps is healthy, he’s the fourth or fifth option. He’ll give you those 3-catch, 30-yard games that make you want to pull your hair out.
But when the pressure is on—when it’s 3rd and 7 in the fourth quarter or when the starters are banged up—Otton is the guy Mayfield trusts. He’s a matchup nightmare for linebackers because he’s too savvy in his route running, finding the soft spots in zone coverage like a veteran.
Actionable Takeaways for Following Otton:
- Watch the Injury Report: Otton’s value is tied directly to the health of Mike Evans. When the WR1 is out, Otton’s target share usually jumps from 12% to nearly 20%.
- Red Zone Targets: Despite his size, he’s historically had a lower TD count (usually around 4 per year). If he wants that big second contract, he needs to become more of a "high-point" threat in the end zone.
- Snap Counts Matter: If you see his snap percentage dip below 80%, it’s a sign the coaching staff is looking to get more specialized speed on the field.
The story of Cade Otton isn't finished. He’s not a superstar, and he’ll never be the fastest guy on the highlight reel. But in an NFL that’s increasingly about versatility and durability, he’s exactly what a winning team needs.
Keep an eye on his snap counts and target share in the coming weeks. If the Bucs continue to lean on him as their primary chain-mover, that "underrated" label isn't going to stick for much longer. He’s earned his spot in the lineup, and now he’s playing for his future.