Bucs Film Study: 3 Rookies Show Promise As Strong Blockers

The Bucs drafted three players this past offseason at who play offensive skill positions. Tight ends Cade Otton and Ko Kieft and running back Rachaad White are all hoping to contribute to what could be a league-leading offense this year. But in order to get on the field to make catches, break off big runs and score touchdowns, they are going to need to show that they can help others do the same. How do they show that?

If you listen to Bucs coaches talk about skill players for enough time you are bound to hear the word “blocking” at least once. For this coaching staff everyone outside of the quarterback needs to be able to block on offense. Not ten days ago head coach Todd Bowles spoke about blocking in regard to undrafted rookie Jerreth Sterns as well as Kieft.

To say blocking is important to this Bucs coaching staff would be an understatement. With that in mind, I took a look at how Otton, White and Kieft are coming along in this area of the game. And in all three cases I am pretty sure Bowles and Co. are happy with their rookie draft class.

Cade Otton

I previously noted that coming Otton was an above average blocker coming out of college. The Bucs are hoping Otton can fulfill the “Y” tight end role. This role requires the tight end to not just be a threat as a receiver, but also be able to line-up in-line and block in both the passing and running game.

While Otton hasn’t been perfect in this area, he has been promising.

Sealing The Backside

Otton comes in motion to the right, on a split zone. As the line slides right, Otton’s responsibility is to back across the formation and seal the backside edge defender. This will prevent that defender from having the opportunity to chase down running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn from behind. Otton executes his assignment flawlessly.

I’ll add that A) Otton has the frame to do so without using a cut block, and B) even if he used one there is nothing wrong with it. Vaughn’s responsibility is to read the linebackers. If he sees them bite down on the play side (right side) he can cut the run back to the left side and follow Otton to the “C” gap. You can watch Vaughn make that read and almost commit to that gap before seeing the safety who cheated down into the box fill the gap. At that point, Vaughn comes back to the play side and tries to stretch the run to the perimeter.

1-On-1 In The Run Game

One of the most indelible memories I have from the Bucs’ 2020 playoff run was Rob Gronkowski man-up blocking Washington defensive end Chase Young. Now Otton is not Gronkowski, and Titans defensive end David Anenih is no Chase Young. But the similarities are there. Otton is 6-foot-5 and almost 250 pounds. He has the frame to go toe-to-toe with edge defenders. He shows it with this fantastic single block to help hold the tunnel for the original gap for the play.

Washes Out The Second-Level Linebacker

I love this block so much. Otton locks in on the linebacker and catches him at an angle. This allows Otton to use the linebacker’s momentum to drive him past his gap responsibility and open up an asteroid-size hole for Rachaad White to scamper through.

Ko Kieft

Kieft is known for his blocking. I feel like he leads all of the rookies in highlight clips on Twitter this offseason. And they are all blocks. It’s his calling card, and he did not disappoint against the Titans.

The Bucs run a counter from shotgun with Kieft and right guard Aaron Stinnie pulling right to left. Kieft follows Stinnie and enters the hole Stinnie creates between himself and left tackle Josh Wells. The Titans linebacker flows down to this newly created hole. Unfortunately for him, Kieft informs him he is not on the list and escorts him out of that club. Love it!

Big Boy Blocks

I featured Otton’s 1-on-1 win earlier. But he isn’t the only Bucs rookie tight end that can man up a bigger defender. Kieft makes his living doing this.

Kieft displays the latch skills of an offensive lineman on this rep as he locks up the edge defender and drives him back. You can see him and Stinnie working side-by-side after Stinnie pulls from the left. They are stoked at the end of the play, high-fiving each other for the drive blocks they executed to help create that 17-yard run.

Rachaad White

Full disclosure. I had White really low on my draft board. His rookie training camp isn’t even complete, and I am ready to take the “L” on that terrible take. I loved his running and receiving, but I was worried about his tendency to hop when he saw contact coming. White has shown all of those positives during Bucs preseason, but the area that would potentially get him on or keep him off the field is his pass protection. Well, if this block is any indication, he’s going to get on the field early and often.

White motions into the backfield from originally being set outside. The Titans bring a double inside linebacker blitz with the Mike ‘backer looping to the weak side off of a tackle stunt. White quickly reads that he has to pick up the will as he breaks into the backfield first. Now No. 50 Jack Gibbens outweighs White by a good 30 pounds and comes downfield with a full head of steam. White does not give a damn and picks him head up.

Does he stone Gibbens? Nope. But he doesn’t need to. All he needs to do is make solid contact and redirect Gibbens. White does this perfectly. It gives Kyle Trask enough time to make the throw to Kyle Rudolph. If White can execute this consistently, I don’t care how much of a third-down back “Left Hook Lenny” has become. White is going to force himself onto the field on third downs.

3 Rookies Show Promise Doing The Dirty Work

Post-draft takes from pundits didn’t give the Bucs a great draft grade because their haul wasn’t the flashiest. But with early training camp returns in, each pick the team made is showing the little things that creates the foundation for a good NFL player. Part of those little things is the ability to block. And these rookies are showing out in that area.