Cade Otton Run Play Participation And Receiving
June 22nd, 2026
Turn him loose.
If Cade Otton isn’t careful, he’s going to have the reputation of being a run-blocking tight end.
The stat-heavy Twitter account @fb_insights did a breakdown this spring about which tight ends stretched the field the most and which were more run blockers.
Joe always thought Otton could be used more to stretch the field than he has been in recent years. And Otton can do that, too. Anyone remember the sweet Baker Mayfield play at Seattle, where he rolled to his left and threw down the left side for Otton on a 27-yard explosive play?
Then there was the 19-yard pass play from Mayfield to Otton in the final game of the season for a touchdown. As the Sage of Tampa Bay sports, Ira Kaufman, is Joe’s witness, when that play happened, out loud in the press box (against official media protocol) Joe said, “Where has that been all year?”
So yes, Otton can stretch the field. But he’s not used that way. In the graphic published by @fball_insights, Otton’s target depth is very much middle of the pack.
However, no tight end was on the field for run plays last year more than Otton. Joe has never considered Otton the next Jimmie Giles (for fans who didn’t get to watch Giles, he was a ferocious blocker — Giles was like a nimble guard playing tight end. He also could and did stretch the field often).
Joe remembers asking tight ends coach Justin Peelle if Otton was held back to block more than usual because of all the injuries to the Bucs’ offensive line. Peelle thought that characterization was slightly overstated but he didn’t deny it.
The numbers don’t lie. Otton logged more snaps on run plays than any other tight end. And Joe is pretty convinced if Otton couldn’t block or didn’t have the trust of coaches, he wouldn’t be on the field for so many runs.
Joe sure would like to see an increase in Otton running deeper routes. He could expose some defenses for more explosive plays.
Tight End run game participation and receiving YPRR over the last two seasons pic.twitter.com/g1IAR1QYnr
— Football Insights 📊 (@fball_insights) March 2, 2026
June 22nd, 2026 at 9:20 am
We’re paying him $10 million to block???
That screams Bowles is the HC. Asinine at best.
He thinks it’s 1952 and running the ball 40 times wins games.
Probably why we lost to Carolina on the road last year.
2026 will be the same tired and fruitless effort. 4-13 here we come.
June 22nd, 2026 at 9:45 am
Not Otton,’,s fault. On OC who had no originality.
June 22nd, 2026 at 9:56 am
There have been plenty of articles that have stated that Otten is a team guy and willing to do whatever it takes. When all the receivers were injured, he was the go-to on offense. When the linemen were injured, he was counted on to block. The Bucs need more blue-collar players and less quitters. I think they’re off to a good start for 2026.
June 22nd, 2026 at 10:00 am
Giles made some incredible over the shoulder catches on the seam route in the middle of the field. Too bad it’s not used by the Bucs anymore.
I think Otton had to be a blocker last year and wasn’t used to his full potential, hopefully Zac can get him back in the rotation this year. Not blaming Grizz, just a bad situation.
June 22nd, 2026 at 10:10 am
The Kief injury changed his role a lot I think
June 22nd, 2026 at 10:46 am
Otton was ranked as the 6th highest at his position in pass blocking win rate.
Another reason that all that Kenyon Sadiq talk was mostly fan fantasy.
June 22nd, 2026 at 12:08 pm
Jimmie Giles. If he played in the modern NFL he’d probably be a hall of famer. What an amazing player.
June 22nd, 2026 at 12:27 pm
@Nic: People forget that Kief was injured last year.
June 22nd, 2026 at 1:04 pm
Wynch ! There go go running that gator again! A complete football player blocks especially tight ends .WTF! If they’re able to run it 40 x,then most likely they’re winning / won the game..UGH! You need football 101,with professor 328
June 22nd, 2026 at 2:23 pm
Steve V Says
“If they’re able to run it 40 x,then most likely they’re winning / won the game”
Bowles tried that and it was an epic failure. All because Todd decided he was the HC\DC\OC.
He can’t do anything correctly. And his record proves that out.
Baker is the perfect QB for his system. Late January and February is rest up time while the real teams play postseason games.
Only NFC South titles matter. Laughable.
June 22nd, 2026 at 3:08 pm
They were doing fine at 6-2 last season! Complete team ,then omg injuries! I know all you clowns say they didn’t happen or dont count.The team was doomed when the oline went down.. Here’s a Little secret shhh ,dont tell anyone but…Luck and injuries are a real part of the game/team..UGH!
June 22nd, 2026 at 3:18 pm
“They were doing fine at 6-2 last season”
How’d our last 2 games before the bye work out?
June 22nd, 2026 at 4:46 pm
As far as a blocking tight end,they better get used to it ,there gonna be alot of kick outs to Gainwell thats his specialty!! New season Wynch 2.0.If you dwell in the past your future never gets better! GO BUCS!
June 22nd, 2026 at 7:18 pm
I freakin LOVED how Jimmie Giles played tight end! Best all time all-around BucsTE not named Gronk imho. I’ll put Otton at 3rd after this year, ahead of Brate, IF they truly do get back to letting him stretch those seams some more…..
June 22nd, 2026 at 9:07 pm
The numbers don’t lie. Otton logged more snaps on run plays than any other tight end. And Joe is pretty convinced if Otton couldn’t block or didn’t have the trust of coaches, he wouldn’t be on the field for so many runs.
———–
I wouldn’t say Otton is a bad blocker, he’s just not good.
At the same time, with so many receiving first TE’s now coming out of college, Otton might have moved up in status in terms of blocking compared to other TEs.
I will 100% stand by the fact that Rashaad White was a better blocker on passing downs compared to Otton. But in the running game, I’d assume Otton was better, but also never saw White playing TE, so who knows. But that’s more about White being an exceptional blocking RB, something I really hope we don’t miss this season.
June 22nd, 2026 at 10:07 pm
“I will 100% stand by the fact that Rashaad White was a better blocker on passing downs compared to Otton.“
Stupid comparisons,
White stared the rep with his head up waiting for the leakage or having to chip somebody we needed Cade to block. Their leverage points and who they’re assigned to block is totally different. Cade would line up head up with an OLB while Chaad had to wait for a rusher to get through a block. You’re comparing the first line of defense to the contingent RB who didn’t act like an extension of the OL, and more like an upback on punt time.
Unnecessary comparisons unless you wanted unnecessarily pontificate about a senseless comparisons of who blocks better a TE or RB. White would get his ass kicked by most OLBs if he had to start inline with his hand in the dirt.
June 23rd, 2026 at 1:01 am
The way that Robinson used Pitts last year was impressive. The Falcons had more passing and rushing yards than we did last year with far less offensive weapons than we had. I’m looking forward to seeing what Robinson does with this offense.
June 23rd, 2026 at 2:45 am
Otton is a good solid football player. It’s kind of hard to isolate him while watching broadcast tv unless they hit him on a pass. Grizz’s offense was kinda disjointed so it’s hard to judge his receiving chops in that scheme. I think we should get a better gauge if him this year.