Can Devin Culp Continue Being An Impact Player?
December 18th, 2025
Tight end Devin Culp.
One reason Joe was stoked that Bucs tight end Devin Culp caught a touchdown pass down the hashmarks last week was that it proved something.
The Bucs had a tight end capable of production.
Starting tight end Cade Otton has really regressed in the passing game. Joe almost felt that for the first 13 games, the Bucs offense was playing with 10 players. Getting production from a tight end was almost nonexistent. Otton had no touchdown and only 10 receiving yards in the red zone, a total that ranked 61st in the NFL among tight ends.
Culp’s touchdown pass was the first touchdown by a Bucs tight end this year — in Week 14!
Now to be fair to Otton, early in the season when the Bucs’ offensive line was beaten to a pulp by injuries, the Bucs needed him to block more often. Baker Mayfield even raved one day about how Otton has saved his hide, and the offense’s, because of his blocking.
Culp’s touchdown not only gave the Bucs offense another dimension, but perhaps another weapon.
Bucs coach Todd Bowles even admitted yesterday Culp had scant snaps on offense because the Bucs needed Otton to block.
“Well, the other guys [Payne Durham, Otton] probably were better blockers at the time from that standpoint, but [Culp] brings a receiving element to the game at the same time.
“Him learning the offense, still coming into his second year had a lot to do with that. Then, with the receivers back now, it’s going to be awfully tough to get everybody as many touches as they need.”
And that’s a great problem to have.
On Thursday, Mike Evans being dominant. Chris Godwin is improving by the week. Emeka Egbuka is clearly benefitting from his two big brothers balling again. Jalen McMillan actually looked better than last year in his debut after a broken neck, and now Culp stretching the field?
This offense could be a dangerous for any playoff team to tangle with in January.
December 18th, 2025 at 7:14 am
Been banging the drum for Culp all year.
December 18th, 2025 at 7:17 am
The real question is can the OC incorporate him into the offense?
December 18th, 2025 at 7:19 am
His entire career is 6 targets, 7 receptions for 94 yards and a td. I’d think they could find a of way to get him the ball, he doesn’t necessarily have to block
December 18th, 2025 at 7:29 am
Continue? We’ve barley used him or any other TE not named Otton as a target all season long.
December 18th, 2025 at 7:42 am
With those wheels he certainly has potential to be a dangerous weapon!
December 18th, 2025 at 7:42 am
Culp can if he gets opportunities.
December 18th, 2025 at 7:58 am
Otton is just really limited athletically. The Lions game was major proof of that. Pretty much every catch he made, he had no separation whatsoever. He is a hard worker, and I like, there is just only so much he can do. His ceiling is very low.
December 18th, 2025 at 7:58 am
It’s great to have all those weapons, but their production is dependent on the o-line play. If the o-line can’t open up holes for the RBs or give Baker enough time to find the open receiver, it doesn’t matter how great the roster is. You’re not going to get production. So, let’s hope that the o-line steps it up a notch as the season winds down.
December 18th, 2025 at 8:08 am
He looked extremely smooth on that one route and catch.
I remember reading Joes training camp bullet point play by play and he name was mentioned in positive plays
December 18th, 2025 at 8:13 am
Continue being an impact player? Joe, when did he start? He’s got what 2 catches on the season?
December 18th, 2025 at 8:13 am
More Culp, less bobble Otton!
December 18th, 2025 at 8:23 am
This is ridiculous hahaha culp isn’t better than otten and Cade otten isn’t that good. Devin culp 2025 stats are 1 catch for 6 yards. If Cade otten had been targeted he would have caught that pass. People are being so freaking dramatic
December 18th, 2025 at 8:35 am
Nah, he would have bobbled it for a 103-yard pick six.
December 18th, 2025 at 8:38 am
Otton has not been the same since last year when he screwed up his leg trying to jump over tacklers
December 18th, 2025 at 8:39 am
it’s a shame how little they’ve used this guy all year…he’s a nice weapon…
and even worse is how grizzle has not taken advantage of rachaad white’s elite pass receiving game out of the backfield this year…it’s literally a crime…
rachaad has been one of the best receiving backs in the league – and now, under griz, he ain’t sh!t…go figure
December 18th, 2025 at 8:42 am
He caught one pass.
December 18th, 2025 at 8:43 am
Still learning the offense? Sounds like another deflection.
December 18th, 2025 at 8:43 am
Joe come on, Cade would have caught that pass. He just would have been a yard short.
December 18th, 2025 at 8:49 am
With al due respect Joseph,
Since when Culp became an impact player…????
Not that I am down on him, because he never plays, so I dont know if he is good/bad/average…….What I am sure is he is not an impact player……..
December 18th, 2025 at 9:01 am
Culp was caught 6 of 7 targets in 2024 avg 17.6 yards per catch… 20 snaps? Only 1 target for a 6 yard TD this year.
December 18th, 2025 at 9:06 am
One pass for 6 yards. That’s it. It just happened to be near the end zone and probably with Evans, Godwin and McMillan or Egbuka also on the field.
Not knocking him. But not anointing him, either.
As for earlier compliments by Baker of Otton, I think Baker was just being polite and a good teammate. Maybe he did make a good block at some point, but that’s like complimenting a Kindergartner’s finger painting. It’s done not because it’s good, but because you try to build pride in someone.
It’s the same with everyone who says “blame me, not the Defense.” It’s PC. But that’s okay. For the truly good players and the decision makers, the time for the harsh truth is not now, nor is the media the place to do it.
We all know it: if the Defense does not start playing the way they have been taught, many of them and all of the coaches will be in a place not called Tampa next year.
December 18th, 2025 at 9:10 am
Going to be very interesting how this plays out. Those 2 were teammates in Otton’s senior year at Washignton and Culp ended up taking over the TE position as a Sophomore when Culp went down, Jack Westover (Rookie TE – Patriots) was the starter in the following seasons, but he and Culp split reps.
Looking at their college stats, they had very similar production, so now (without going back and watching the tape) I’m wondering why the stark difference in perceived value, when Culp hasn’t had much of an opportunity on the field.
From what I can dig up, they were very similarly evaluated as prospects with Culp being seen as the better athlete, but Otton having better receiving attributes (despite underperforming in a pass-heavy offense)
I want to see more of Culp, just to see it. If we assume all draft assessment as fact (I know, it’s not, relax) Otton’s ‘regression’ as a receiver and the lack of Culp reps puts them on a very similar level. What do we have to lose, I mean he’s the only TE to score a TD for us this year, putting that whole group on par with Tristan Wirfs.
December 18th, 2025 at 9:26 am
Put the Hydra on the Field every play, Mike, BUCKY, Mac, God, Buk rotate people in only when one of them are too tired.
December 18th, 2025 at 9:29 am
Cade is not special enough to have as many bobbles and drops as he has. Brate was about the same athletically and he caught pretty much every ball thrown his way.
December 18th, 2025 at 9:35 am
The guy is not a “blocking” TE, therefor we (by “we” I mean, every OC we’ve had)hate him. The guy can run routes, create mismatches, and catch the ball. The position is the Defensive equivalent of an OLB for the Bucs, if they can’t drop into coverage they don’t get to play. Doesn’t matter if they are good pass rushers or not. Same for this. The guy came on at the end of last season pretty nice with some good catches. For you guys crying “it was only one catch why do we care?”, it was the ONLY TD by a TE this entire season!! He got open when Otton and Payne never did. Think about it. In 14 games this season NO TDs by a TE.
December 18th, 2025 at 9:46 am
Grizzard is really just a “Quality Control “ coach . You know the one who picks up the donuts on the way in in the morning.
You gotta give it to Canales and Coen, they saw what was going on here and got the hell out of Dodge. Got paid really well too.
December 18th, 2025 at 9:51 am
I’d rather just put Cade at FB now that we have all our receiving weapons back. Can open up the run game and give extra protection for Baker. Of course I’d rather have Kieft in that role, but he’s out.
December 18th, 2025 at 9:55 am
Nobody was talking down about Cade Otton last year lol this is the most bi polar fan base in all of sports. Suddenly Cade often doesn’t know how to get open when we get a never been AN offensive coordinator before? Umm culp was wide arse open, Josh Grizzard is a mediocre OC
December 18th, 2025 at 10:32 am
Hey Joe..
Any chance Ko Kieft could return? If his injury was only broken bone that’s usually 8-10 weeks recovery.
December 18th, 2025 at 10:37 am
Cade is completely unreliable. Give Culp a chance for the rest of the year to see if he is our TE of the future. If he does not perform cut both and sign a real TE through FA or the draft for next year
December 18th, 2025 at 10:38 am
I would take a washed up Travis Kelce over Cade. Sign him.
December 18th, 2025 at 10:47 am
Let culp cook cant be any worse than slow otton who never gets downfield he never gets down the seam either
December 18th, 2025 at 10:50 am
By now they should know they’re going to move on from Otton. Get Culp more reps!
December 18th, 2025 at 11:05 am
@ Pewter Power, I have nothing against Otton, it’s just he is nothing special. And he makes catching the ball way too hard sometimes.
December 18th, 2025 at 11:29 am
Grizz will never run the ball now lol
GO BUCS!!!!
December 18th, 2025 at 11:34 am
@NCbucfan Says
Devin culp has 1 catch for 6 yards on the year. Cade otten is nothing special and culp is his backup😑. This Bucs need a prototypical big bodied tight end who can actually block and run.
December 18th, 2025 at 11:37 am
To me, TE is as valuable, if not more, than a shifty WR. Look at what KC and the 49rs do with a good one. Gronk really spoiled me. Otten is not that and never will be.
December 18th, 2025 at 11:37 am
As someone already mentioned, it was a six-yard catch. Culp was wide open. Let’s not get carried away. Nevertheless, I was happy to see Culp being used. Culp has a tremendous amount of upside potential, so why not get him more involved.
December 18th, 2025 at 12:36 pm
It is absolutely disgusting that we didn’t play this man more when Mike went out
December 18th, 2025 at 12:46 pm
Griz no clue how to use the position. Culp 1 target all year. ZERO seam routes run utilizing his speed/ mismatch. Durham 2 targets all year ZERO red zone balls utilizing his skill set/ mismatch
Griz uses TEs as well as Joe writes article headlines. Impact?
December 18th, 2025 at 2:26 pm
He *could* sure. All about dollars. How much are Bucs willing to spend on a part-time blocking tight end over spending that same cash to help get a starting linebacker?
And how low is Kieft willing to go?
December 18th, 2025 at 3:04 pm
My question is if it takes two to three years to learn this offense and Defense then why have it?
December 18th, 2025 at 3:16 pm
We need a change of guard at TE. I’m tired of seeing players take the ball away from Otton. He is passive n soft. He either fall short of getting a half of yard by literally falling down or just run out of bounds. He has no heart and is brain dead on critical plays. He’s a very inconsistent player. In the game against the Saints when Baker threw the ball inches short on fourth down m, had Otton rolled over to stretch the ball out before touched by the defender it would’ve gave us a first down. He’s another OJ Howard.
December 18th, 2025 at 5:00 pm
Joe
I meant this year
December 18th, 2025 at 5:17 pm
If Licht comes back I’m sure he’ll resign Otton to a more ridiculous deal than he gave Zyon.
December 18th, 2025 at 7:07 pm
Otton Almost.
Almost makes the catch, Almost gets the yard of gain, Almost breaks a tackle. Almost gets open. Let’s go Otton,! Get better soon and prove me wrong. I’m just trying to make you better. If it’s helpful a autographed glove would be awesome. Go Bucs! Fire the Cannons!
December 18th, 2025 at 9:05 pm
All Culp did was run forward a few feet and turn and caught an easy ball – he literally wasn’t covered. I’d love to see Culp have a breakout but that TD was a nothing play where it comes to talent and skill. Don’t dissing him at all – but just saying that play is a play anyone from middle school and up can make.