More Data On Bucs’ Passing Game And Targets
October 3rd, 2025
Where’s the ball going?
Yesterday Joe typed how the Bucs target their tight ends less frequently than every NFL team.
Joe asked Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard to explain and you can read Grizzard’s explanation here.
@Doug_Analytics also had other interesting tidbits about NFL target rates. For example, even though the Bucs have yet to have Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan on the field at the same time (or even Evans, Godwin and Egbuka), the Bucs target receivers at a higher rate than any other team with the exception of the Chargers.
Los Angeles targets its receivers at a 72.9 percent clip of all pass attempts. The Bucs are at 69.9 percent.
What about running backs? Glad you asked.
The Bucs are in the top half of teams throwing to backs in the passing game. Some 21 percent of Baker Mayfield’s passes have gone to running backs. That’s tied for 11th-most with the Packers.
That makes sense. Even with injuries to Evans, Godwin and McMillan, receiver is a strength of the team. Additionally, Bucky Irving and Rachaad White are dangerous out of the backfield.
The Bucs tight ends? Cade Otton is OK and that’s about it. So yeah, why not target your most talented players in the passing game?
Target Percentage by Position
(weeks 1-4) pic.twitter.com/8PPmi8SrUJ— Doug Analytics (@Doug_Analytics) October 2, 2025
October 3rd, 2025 at 12:21 am
The Bucs need him to help out with Charlie Heck too. Cade’s in a contract year. If this low targeting keeps up he just may be cheap enough to resign.
October 3rd, 2025 at 1:19 am
I think it might also have to do with the tight ends staying in to help block.
October 3rd, 2025 at 2:34 am
I think Otton is capable of more. He’s just busy helping the offensive line right now. He’s a team player, he’s doing what he’s asked and he isn’t complaining like a lot of other diva players at the position in the league might right now. And he Is solid, just not flashy. But like Joe said, we have so many A+ targets on the team. A lotta mouths to feed. But when Goedeke is back, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Otton, Durham, and hopefully Culp get several more targets per game. Especially if any receivers are out.
If the O-line is functioning, then it opens everything up. And once we can move down the field with with rhythm, then it opens us up to do more fun stuff. I want to see Tez in the gadget role, I want to see Culp on a crosser outrunning some slow Sam linebacker because all of the attention is on the star players.
October 3rd, 2025 at 3:07 am
The short answer? O line is leaky and It would look alot worse if not for Bakers wheels.
Go Bucs!
October 3rd, 2025 at 6:25 am
Cotton is stuck blocking for at least 2 more games until Luke’s IR sentence is completed