Bucs Storylines: What’s At Stake For Cade Otton In 2024?

Let’s talk about Cade Otton, shall we?

The more exciting periods of the Bucs offseason are over with, as pre-draft scouting, free agency, the NFL Draft, OTAs and mini-camps are over. That means it’s time to settle in for what feels like the longest of waits before training camp gets underway in late July.

The dog days of the NFL offseason are all about storylines for the upcoming season. Media and fans alike spend the days of June and July passing the time with discourse surrounding all sorts of rankings, as well as the big stories that are bound to come up when the season begins in September.

So, with that in mind, the idea here is to narrow in on some of the Bucs’ biggest stars and go player-by-player to dive into the big storylines that are in store for the 2024 season. After starting with quarterback Baker Mayfield, wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and running back Rachaad White, we continue today with third-year tight end Cade Otton.

Bucs Storylines: Cade Otton

Here are three big storylines surrounding Bucs tight end Cade Otton in 2024:

Was Playoff Cade Otton A Sign Of Things To Come?

Bucs TE Cade Otton – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Cade Otton was sneakily one of the Bucs’ biggest producers during their playoff run last year. He led the team in receiving in the 32-9 Wild Card win over the Eagles, catching eight of his 11 targets for 89 yards (11.1 avg.), with a long of 24 yards. Then, in the season-ending loss to the Lions in the NFC Divisional Round, he was Tampa Bay’s second-leading receiver behind Mike Evans. Otton caught five of his eight targets for 65 yards and a touchdown in the loss. Combining his production over those two weeks, the second-year tight end hauled in 13 of his 19 targets for 154 yards (11.8 avg.) and a touchdown.

So might that be a sign of things to come for the Bucs’ top tight end? He’s had a penchant for clutch moments over his first two years in the league, with game-winning touchdowns against the Rams (2022) and Falcons (2023) as well as a key touchdown grab late in a win over the Saints (2022). He also should’ve had a game-winner against the Texans last year had the Buccaneer defense not collapsed late in the game.

But as big as some of his touchdown catches have been in his first two seasons in the NFL, more consistent performances like the ones he had in the postseason would elevate his status within the league and simply within the hierarchy of the Bucs’ pass catchers. He seemed to really develop a strong connection with Baker Mayfield as the 2023 season went on, and the two will look to keep that rolling in 2024.

Otton upped his yardage from 391 as a rookie to 455 last year while doubling his touchdown production from two to four. If he can remain a key component of the passing game like he was in the playoffs, he may very well see that production jump even further this season, perhaps somewhere in the realm of 50-55 catches for 500-600 yards and another four or five touchdowns.

Can Cade Otton Shape Up As An All-Around Tight End?

Bucs TE Cade Otton – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

While Cade Otton would certainly like to keep improving upon his pass-catching production year over year the way he did from 2022 to 2023, the area where he really needs to step up in 2024 is with his blocking. That’s the big hurdle he’ll need to clear before he’s looked at as an all-around tight end.

Otton has acknowledged as much this offseason, saying he wants to be someone his team can count on to run behind in addition to being able to take care of defenders on the backside of run plays. He told the local media during OTAs that he has Pro Bowl aspirations and as much as receiving stats go into that, taking a step forward as a blocker is one of his big focuses heading into 2024.

Going by his Pro Football Focus blocking grades, Otton regressed heavily in the blocking aspect of his game last year. He went from a 79.3 pass-blocking grade as a rookie to a 47.4 grade in year two while going from a 59.6 run-blocking grade to a 51.7 mark last year. That dip coincided with the 2022 fourth-round pick taking on a bigger role last year, as he became the Bucs’ top tight end with the offseason release of Cameron Brate. Otton went on to be the team’s iron man, playing 98% of offensive snaps.

Whether the bigger role and higher percentage of snaps — with the natural wear and tear that comes along with that — played a role in his blocking inefficiency or not, Otton needs to be better in 2024. He knows it, and if he can take that next step, he’ll round into form as a more complete player in year three. And considering the Bucs’ decision on a potential second contract is rapidly approaching (Otton will be a free agent after 2025), the 25-year-old will soon need to start proving he can excel in all aspects of his game.

Will Cade Otton Reward The Bucs’ Faith In Him?

Bucs TE Cade Otton – Photo by: USA Today

On the note of Cade Otton entering year three of his four-year rookie contract, the 2024 season could go a long way in helping the Bucs make a decision on his long-term future. General manager Jason Licht, head coach Todd Bowles and the rest of Tampa Bay’s decision-makers have shown a great amount of faith in Otton in each of the last two offseasons.

Last year, they showed they believed he could be a true TE1 when they released veteran Cameron Brate and opened the door for the former Washington standout to be the top guy in the room in his second NFL season. And this offseason, the team’s only addition to the tight end room was seventh-round draft pick Devin Culp. That essentially served as another vote of confidence in Otton and his ability to be the Bucs’ TE1.

It’s up to Otton, now, to reward Tampa Bay’s faith in him. He’s the only proven tight end in the building right now, with Ko Kieft, Payne Durham, David Wells and Culp among those behind him. The improvements he made when he became the team’s top tight end last year were clearly enough for Licht and Co. to feel comfortable with him continuing in that role heading into 2024. But with new offensive coordinator Liam Coen featuring fewer two-tight end sets and more three-receiver looks, a lot of pressure will fall on Otton as the primary tight end.

If Otton continues to improve, Tampa Bay can keep looking at him as someone worthy of being rewarded with a second contract at some point in the next couple of years. But if his production plateaus and he looks more like a fringe TE1-TE1A than a solidified top guy, it would certainly make it much easier for the Bucs to move on and look for an upgrade next offseason. In other words, Otton needs to reward their faith in him once again this season. Otherwise, Tampa Bay could look at tight end as a big need next offseason and ultimately relegate their 2022 fourth-round pick to a TE2 role in his contract year.

So, as sneakily as Cade Otton was one of the Bucs’ top performers last postseason, there’s quietly a lot riding on his 2024 season.