Poor Tight Ends Production
July 21st, 2026
Needs to be more involved.
Joe understands why the Devin Culp fans stomp their feet, wanting him to play more.
In Joe’s mind, a tight end is just a bigger, maybe slower receiver. There’s no reason why a good tight end can’t stretch the field. In limited targets, Culp has shown he can do that.
Bucs starting tight end Cade Otton has shown an ability to stretch the field, but last year he wasn’t doing that much at all. Two or three plays, yeah. That’s not much.
This is also a reason Joe was so gung-ho for Kenyon Sadiq.
Make Tight Ends
Passing Weapons Again.
Joe asked tight ends coach Justin Peele if Otton wasn’t used much as a weapon because he had to stay back and help block after the offensive line was trashed by injuries.
Peelle thought the help-out-the-line angle was overstated. Yeah, he said, Otton was used as a blocker a bunch, but that wasn’t the only reason Otton didn’t stretch the field much (he didn’t elaborate).
Then Joe was reminded by famed handicapper-turned-stathead Warren Sharp that the Bucs have one of the most expensive receiver rooms in the NFL. Those boys need to earn their salaries, so of course the receivers will get targets.
Like Joe, Matt Okada of NFL Network wants to see the Bucs use Otton more. No team had less tight ends production.
The Bucs saw a lot of turnover on defense this offseason, but that side of the ball still looks effective on paper. So, once again, I’m eyeing the tight end room. The Buccaneers had the least productive tight end group in the NFL last season — 61 receptions, 589 yards, two touchdowns — with Cade Otton accounting for nearly all of those numbers. They only added a Day 3 pick at the position in the offseason, leaving Baker Mayfield’s tight end weaponry lacking an upgrade.
The Bucs may not have upgraded at tight end but that doesn’t mean new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson can’t get more out of tight ends. Otton last year ranked 20th in the NFL in team percentage tight ends targets at 15 percent.
Interestingly, Kyle Pitts of the Dixie Chicks, Robinson’s former team, had nearly 23 percent of Atlanta’s targets last year, third-most for tight ends. So it seems Robinson may give Otton more chances.
Targeting Otton more might just loosen up coverage for Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, Emeka Egbuka and Ted Hurst.
July 21st, 2026 at 9:12 am
I’m sure this will go over well…
The Bucs have one of the worst TE units in the NFL.
Not good.
Below mediocre.
July 21st, 2026 at 9:21 am
We don’t have a true number one tight end because the only positions licht can scout and evaluate is wr and o line.
July 21st, 2026 at 9:24 am
@ 40 year
I agree.
Cade Otton is the Baker Mayfield of NFL TEs…
July 21st, 2026 at 9:42 am
Otton has been solid…steady eddy lol
i’ll give Grizz the same excuse everyone else throws around lol….injuries handcuffed Grizz lol
GO BUCS!!!!
July 21st, 2026 at 9:43 am
Cade Otton is the Baker Mayfield of NFL TEs…
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
GO BUCS!!!!
July 21st, 2026 at 9:49 am
I’m neutral on Otton. I’ve seen him step up when Evans & Godwin went down but also watched him get stripped of the ball during an important drive. Bucs needed defense this year so I can’t blame them for not improving the TE position. I’m guessing the TE usage would go up if the Bucs are playing with the lead. Problem is last year we never had the lead very often.
July 21st, 2026 at 9:55 am
TE is not a top priority in the pass game for this team. Not for the OCs who’ve been here and not for Baker Mayfield. The evidence, is the last 2-3 years when there’s been an injury in the WR room that’s when Ottons’ involvement as a target spikes.
So if you’re expecting Otton or any TE to be anywhere close to say 1,000 yards or being a 8-10 TD guy over the course of the season, just remember how hard it was for us to score TDs last and then remember Wirfs & Otton had the same amount of receiving TDs in ’25.
Alot of you, really just want production from TEs because you see it working for other teams and think “why don’t our TEs do that” well look at our WR & RB rooms. You think Bowers is doing what he’s doing for the Raiders because he’s just that good? No, the Raiders WR room the last 2 years has been dogsh*t
July 21st, 2026 at 10:04 am
“They only added a Day 3 pick at the position in the offseason, leaving Baker Mayfield’s tight end weaponry lacking an upgrade.”
There’s still the preseason to get through. Picking through other teams’ scraps to upgrade your own weaknesses is an annual ritual in the NFL. Aaron Jones (Vikings) and Kyler Murray (Jets) are two examples from last year. And if the statement that the Bucs have the weakest TE room in the league is accurate (no reason to think it’s not), then it won’t take a lot to upgrade it.
July 21st, 2026 at 10:09 am
I’m confused, on how we have that much invested in the receivers. With Evens gone our receiver room is very young, most are still on rookie contracts.
July 21st, 2026 at 10:21 am
I mean, does anybody really go around rating tight end rooms? There may be a few Gronks out there, and they stand out; but most teams are satisfied with a good blocker and a capable receiver, preferably in one person. Going to the second and third strings is entering special teams territory.
July 21st, 2026 at 10:25 am
The Bucs had one of the worst OC’s and injuries on Offense last year.
The TE room shouldn’t be judged based on last year
July 21st, 2026 at 10:36 am
Cade $10 million Otton.
They overpaid him by 30% so he wouldn’t join the mass exodus of veterans that Mikey led.
July 21st, 2026 at 10:36 am
“With Evens gone our receiver room is very young, most are still on rookie contracts.”
Godwin has a cap hit of about $33M this year, Evans left us holding $13M in dead money and we’re still paying a sliver of dead money for releasing Trey Palmer.
Egbuka, JMac, Hurst, Kam & Tez all cost around a combined $7M. So I’m not even sure if the $46M full account for other guys like Sills & Greene. Probably closer to $54-$55M as of right now
“This is also a reason Joe was so gung-ho for Kenyon Sadiq.”
Passed on him, not just because Bain fell in our laps either because the rumor is we were going to trade down for a pass rusher if that didn’t happen. Bauer Sharp is a reflection of the value we placed on the position in terms of draft priority, we passed over ALOT of TEs. Rightfully so, TEs don’t rush the passer or stop the run and they barely are looked at as playmakers on our offense.
July 21st, 2026 at 10:45 am
@ warren
“Alot of you, really just want production from TEs because you see it working for other teams and think “why don’t our TEs do that” well look at our WR & RB rooms.”
Only speaking for myself – I agree with you on this.
We don’t need the best TE in the NFL… or even a top ten TE.
Our new OC will determine how important this unit will be.
However – Atlanta’s TE – Pitts had the best season of his career in 2025 with our current OC.
He obviously knows how to utilize the TE position.
TBH I am pretty disappointed with our “ROH” GM and how he handled this position this off-season…
His solution was to over-pay Otton and draft a kid late in round #5?
Fabulous.
July 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Maybe Zac can do something.
It still seems odd that Raheem Morris, who had his team on a clear upswing at the end of last season, was fired…….and Todd Bowles, who oversaw the collapse of his team (with all three units demonstrating what waste products look like), was not.
July 21st, 2026 at 11:13 am
The tight end room has been exactly the same the past two seasons.
Otton is a solid tight end for the way most teams use tight ends. He’s a better than average blocker and receiver. Otton’s numbers were roughly the same in 2024 and 2025 except for TDs (four to one). Around 60 receptions for 600 yards each of the two years.
The rest of the unit is easily the worst in the NFL.
Durham, Culp and Kieft combined for a total of 2 receptions for 17 yards and one TD the entire 2025 season.
2024 was better, but nothing to write home about. Durham, Culp and Kieft combined for 16 receptions, 203 yards and two TDs.
Give me a team with TWO Cade Ottons – one on each side – and you will have a tight end room that would be impressive – especially with the WR room we currently have.
July 21st, 2026 at 11:37 am
“TBH I am pretty disappointed with our “ROH” GM and how he handled this position this off-season…”
WHY? Licht can’t bring in or shop all-stars at every level of the offense. Our strength in terms of 2nd-hand ball carriers are in the WR & RB rooms.
We went and got Gainwell, after overseeing Rachaad Whites’ worst year as a pass catcher in the NFL when that has legitimately been his 1 constant strength as a player since we drafted him.
I personally wouldn’t trade any of our picks this past year for a higher rated TE and in fact, we’ve drafted a total of 3 TEs since drafting Otton all on day 3 iirc.
Fact is TE is important for some other teams, some teams have a dynamic talent there, but our roster is built in a way that’s not needed.
July 21st, 2026 at 11:45 am
2 TE set,throw them to the wolves…
July 21st, 2026 at 11:46 am
@ warren
“Licht can’t bring in or shop all-stars at every level of the offense.”
Who asked for this?
I already stated that Otton is mediocre.
The rest of this group is an under-performing mix of players who wouldn’t even be on most teams PS…
Come on nah!
July 21st, 2026 at 11:49 am
Cade is something like the 16th highest paid in the league. OTOH, gets targeted on .15% of his routes. (Last year, anyhow) Likely scheme-related
July 21st, 2026 at 11:49 am
@ warrin
How about in lieu of drafting the worthless Chris Braswell with a 2nd round pick MAYBE you draft a non-mediocre TE instead?
MAYBE?
“ROH” GM?
You sure bout DAT?
July 21st, 2026 at 12:16 pm
“How about in lieu of drafting the worthless Chris Braswell with a 2nd round pick MAYBE you draft a non-mediocre TE instead?”
You realize there were only 12 TEs drafted in ’24 and we drafted 1 of them in Devin Culp? Would you give up Barton for Bowers? grand scheme? or how about Ben Sinnot for Braswell, or Tip Reiman instead of Tykee Smith?
No, because those other players not named Braswell offered more value to our team, and Ben Sinnot vs. Braswell is a wash and they were both 2nd round picks.
So no, I can’t think of a non-mediocre TE that was availabe in this most recent draft or the last 2 before ’26 that’d make me jump out my seat.
“I already stated that Otton is mediocre.
The rest of this group is an under-performing mix of players who wouldn’t even be on most teams PS…”
Disagree, I think our TE room has untapped potential that gets harder to realize with every new OC we bring in. Usage priority nor the system has been the same for Durham, Keift, nor Culp. They’ve been re-auditioning for roles every year.
Anybody that frequented this site during the last regular season might recall seeing me pleading for Grizz to use the others in our TE room. Looking back at how he used the RB room, it wasn’t going to happen.
Again man could draw up plays for Wirfs, but couldn’t figure out how to get 6’6′ +240lbs Payne Durham in the mix in the redzone or to help alleviate not having Evans or for showing defenses something they didn’t gameplan for, because we didn’t use Durham.
Pretending, like you have a feel for the level of talent in our TE room when they’re barely on the field having their talent put to the test is a little weird on your part.
July 21st, 2026 at 12:22 pm
Marine Buc lives in this fantasyland where the GM hits on 80% of their draft picks.
Bunch of whiny clueless Buc fans in this here joint.
Whine, cry, bitch and moan. Wash, rinse and repeat.
Buvs win 10+ games this year and I predict most of the whiners disappear and the left overs will bitch about not going farther in the playoffs..when the same folks had the Bucs winning 6 games or less. So predictable.
July 21st, 2026 at 12:25 pm
Maybe Coach Zac can leave a pair of gloves with the new playbook
July 21st, 2026 at 12:47 pm
yeah i agree with w b l …culp could be the next coming of jimmie giles but we wouldn’t know bc he never gets to play. otter is too busy getting stripped. Durham was open in the end zone and Baker missed him so who knows? at ten million we are married to otter 🙁
July 21st, 2026 at 12:59 pm
The Grizz just didn’t scheme his offense that way, he’d rather call a benign screen play everyone knew was coming. Think Canales and a hand off up the gut.
July 21st, 2026 at 12:59 pm
we need to focus on 3rd down conversions
July 21st, 2026 at 1:02 pm
Rams WR corps costing 24.5 Million in AAV
Bucs WR Corps costing 56 Million in AAV
Which team is evaluating their talent better?
July 21st, 2026 at 1:04 pm
@ fanofdabucs
Read my lips sweetheart…
7 dash 10.
3rd place in the NFC South.
– New HC
– New OC
– New QB
– New everything
It’s a “New Day in Tampa Bay!”
Yay!!!!!
July 21st, 2026 at 1:08 pm
Fanbuc ,they’ll just change their names..
July 21st, 2026 at 1:15 pm
@ steve
I agree.
Some folks do that little trick…
However – our beloved Joes frown on that and will call it out when their highly trained AI bots spot it.
Stay strong amigo.
July 21st, 2026 at 1:50 pm
@ FanofdaBucs/warren
Jason Licht is the “Baker Mayfield” of GMs…
Does that help you guys to visualize things a little better?
July 21st, 2026 at 1:51 pm
How is that stat correct with Evans gone?
They are just really paying Godwin, everyone else is on rookie contracts?
TE’s are not included correct?
July 21st, 2026 at 2:15 pm
“Jason Licht is the “Baker Mayfield” of GMs…
Does that help you guys to visualize things a little better?”
No, just makes it clearer what your opinion of Jason Licht is, we can all sit here and hindsight history all day, shouldas, couldas and wouldas aren’t going to flesh out a roster nor win ball games.
July 21st, 2026 at 2:22 pm
11-6,,, EE break out year! Chargers /Bucs Super Bowl, mark the tape (this is an opinion only and should not be used for gambling purpose. Vinny’s takes are not endorsed by JBF or any sanctioned website or podcast in the greater Ft Myers area and most of all , don’t smoke crack!)
July 21st, 2026 at 3:20 pm
@ Marine Buc,
Baker is the Cade Otton of quarterbacks? You mean they are both underrated in their contributions to the success of the team?? See, I know we could find common ground! Kumbaya!
JK, but my contribution stays the same. Todd Bowles is the Daniel Jones of head coaches
July 21st, 2026 at 3:39 pm
How many statistical categories does one team have to rank 32nd in to get the HC fired?
And then vastly overpay the lead TE that scored one TD in 2025.
Only in Tampa. We should be forced to wear the orange jersey every game.
July 21st, 2026 at 4:03 pm
5-12
July 21st, 2026 at 4:54 pm
@LJ
Cap hit for Godwin is 30 mil.
July 21st, 2026 at 5:09 pm
When your QB is throwing for 122 yards, and 145 yards, no one is going to be very productive.
July 21st, 2026 at 5:23 pm
I’d trade Stowers or Delp for Braswell in a heartbeat.
July 21st, 2026 at 5:28 pm
Oh he munch man is back,,, he lost credibility long ago on this thread so he is wasting his time and our time ,, someone with credibility , Max Crosby says Baker is the 4th hardest QB to sack , Allen, Lamar , Mahomes ,,, pretty good company Munch , considering how many times he got creamed last year !!! if anyone sees munch waiting tables at Frenchys tonight , tell him #4 said hello!