Cade Otton: Underappreciated
May 29th, 2026
“Hey Joe, you sure these numbers are right?”
On a team full of wide receiver studs and a fighter at quarterback with a linebacker mentality, it’s easy to get overlooked.
Even easier if one doesn’t exactly have a flamboyant personality.
And that’s Cade Otton in the mind of Tom Blair of NFL.com. Blair had a witch project (sorry, Joe cannot pass up fat fastballs coming down Central Ave.) where he identifies a team’s most underrated player.
For the Bucs, that’s Cade Otton.
Baker Mayfield has thrown passes to a lot of players over the course of his funky NFL journey. One of the best working relationships of his career was undoubtedly with Mike Evans, who caught 27 TD throws from Mayfield during their time together, nearly more than twice as many as anyone else since Mayfield entered the league. What’s Mayfield going to do with Evans in San Francisco? Sure, he’ll throw plenty to wideouts Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka, who are probably two of the most important factors when it comes to the Bucs’ immediate success. But Godwin missed significant chunks of the past two seasons with injuries, and Egbuka only just emerged as a rookie in 2025. Otton, meanwhile, has been there for Mayfield, ranking second on the team in targets in each of the past two years and second in total offensive snaps over Mayfield’s three years with the team (behind only Mayfield himself). And he’s caught 69.8% of Mayfield’s passes to him, a greater percentage than anyone who’s been targeted 50-plus times by the QB. Mayfield definitely has enjoyed more success with Otton than with any other NFL tight end, and I imagine seeing the big target out there is plenty comforting — well worth the $10 million Otton is getting from the Bucs per year on the extension he signed in March.
That’s a pretty huge stat Blair dug up. Hard to believe that it is Otton who has a better catch percentage than any of the other receivers, and his was best on the team at 72.8 percent without including running backs. Otton had by far the most targets (81).
For context, Emeka Egbuka had 127 targets and had a catch percentage of 49.6 percent. Chris Godwin had 51 targets for a 64.7 percent catch percentage.
So yeah, Otton is the most reliable receiver/tight end catching passes from Mayfield. The only problem with are the catches he doesn’t make are too often horrific, ghastly turnovers.
If Otton could cut out the eyerake turnovers, he might make a Pro Bowl someday.
Joe would like to see Otton stretch the field and test secondaries more often. He rarely does, despite a really nice 27-yard catch at Seattle, and and scored on a 19-yard touchdown catch in the final game against Carolina.
Maybe new Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson has Otton test defenses more downfield?
May 29th, 2026 at 7:51 am
Joe says:
Maybe new Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson has Otton test defenses more downfield?
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If how Robinson used Pitts is any indication, Otton will have a big year.
May 29th, 2026 at 7:54 am
Thought this year Otton got lucky. Contract extension, the hiring of Zac Robinson, and Bucs did not draft an up and coming new tight end. IMO, the Bucs might target TE next year though if Otton does not at the very least have a truly solid year and be involved in less plays that end up in turnovers. We believe in Cade!
May 29th, 2026 at 7:57 am
Otton seems pretty average, has pretty average stats, and is widely regarded as pretty average.
If he scored 10 TDs and didn’t let players wrestle the ball away from him at key moments I might think differently.
May 29th, 2026 at 8:08 am
“So yeah, Otton is the most reliable receiver/tight end catching passes from Mayfield. The only problem with are the catches he doesn’t make are too often horrific, ghastly turnovers.”
Partly why he’s underrated, is that we take two instances where this happen and make it out as if it happens more than it does.
Cades moved the sticks or stepped up when our main targets weren’t available to back the stat in this article with consistent reliability. Not even mentioning his growth as a blocker, which also factors into the value of having him on the field.
Would love to Cade get more 2nd/3rd tier route concepts on play calls, but we haven’t had the continuity at OC to actually develop/grow his usage. That switch in OC takes it’s toll, getting re-evaluted by new eyes one year for the next has to hit different for TE like Otton than it would for a OLmen like Goedeke or Mauch.
May 29th, 2026 at 8:24 am
Him and Gainwell will have a big year
May 29th, 2026 at 8:26 am
Brady pushed/made Otten wear receiving gloves. Brady saw something in Otten’s drops that could be fixed! It worked! Unfortunately as soon as Brady left Otten stopped Wearing them and his drops escalated! Cade needs to find a pair of Gloves he likes and Wear them!!
May 29th, 2026 at 8:35 am
Could it possibly be he has been the only healthy pass catcher for the Bucs the last 2 years?
May 29th, 2026 at 8:38 am
Joe, you and the nfl seem to get hung up on the hyperbole and lose site if the content. Im sure if Otton was a mouthy pimp suit wearing punk it would over shadow those 2 very freak tuenovers last year (and we all agree that the tie should have gone to the receiver). We sure seemed to have overlooked some very catchable ball thru the years bouncing off of Evans’s hands because the organization was nursing that 1000 yd streak. Otton doesnt have the flash or market recognition so no heads turn. Its kind of like that reliable 10 year old ford you’re driving vs that often in the shop fiat that everyone looks at when it drives by….which would you rather have in your driveway when you gotta run your kid to the emergency room. This mentality is why we question David as a first ballot HOFer
May 29th, 2026 at 8:46 am
Otton is no T. Gonzales or A.Gates, but he very well could be the next Travis Kelce with an OC/scheme that feeds the TE and a QB that doesn’t panic or get frantic when plays are breaking down. I notice Otton trying to block and save Baker’s bacon rather than going into outlet mode. If he could become the outlet instead of the RBs, you might start to see more stats/tds. Unfortunately, with our diminutive backfield and the loss of White, that’s not likely to happen
May 29th, 2026 at 9:13 am
He’s only under rated by people who don’t understand the role he’s been playing as 6th o lineman, then All of sudden all the WR get injured and he steps up and gets it done. Funny how only the negative plays are what people focus on. He’s not a diva, or demanding targets. He does the jobs he’s asked to do extremely well.
Maybe he needs to date a country music star to get appreciation. Just like Baker he is a top12 at his position and those guys are not easy to find. Our TE position has not been a glorified wr like McBride and such. If he stays healthy I think he gets 80 plus receptions this year.
May 29th, 2026 at 9:25 am
Gainwell is a better pass blocker than even White. He’s got a lot of power in those legs.
May 29th, 2026 at 9:26 am
I like otton he sure did make some tough catches as well no one talks about got beat up lot and still kept going when we had no one at wr.
May 29th, 2026 at 9:32 am
I like Otton but must admit I’m curious about this new Bauer Sharp guy who is quite quick. And supposedly a really good blocker. And I’d still like an explanation for those “tie goes to the receiver” catches that mysteriously became turnovers. Makes me lose some faith in the league when I see stuff like that…
May 29th, 2026 at 9:51 am
solid # 2 TE
He’s not a 1 blocker
He doesn’t have 1 speed
He doesn’t have 1 hands
He doesn’t have 1 separation
He doesn’t have 1 run after catch ( get blown up and push backwards by the smallest Db’s)
His only Plus rating is that he is Decent in all the above but not Plus in even one of them ………… again JASON light his handcuff in this offense without having a number one tight end ,,,,,,,, People like Evan Ingram were available last year and probably are playing for about the same rate is on but or twice as good and numerous areas……….. JASON you’re trying to be your own cowboy again trying to prove a point in the bottom line is cade is what he is in the office needs a number one tight end ……. quit being a jock world dummy !! Go Bucs
I do think the addition of gainwell was much needed in, deserves a thumbs up 👍
May 29th, 2026 at 10:28 am
To my recollection, Ive not seen Cade drop TDs. I have seen Mike Evans do it. But some writers won’t write that because they are jock sniffers and want certain jocks to like them.
May 29th, 2026 at 10:42 am
I love how someone puts put meaningful and indisputable data points on Otten and then the resident geniuses come back with how he doesn’t have great hands, should wear gloves and cut down on TOs..all of which is BS. Funny how some folks only remember 2 or 3 plays from a player who has been here 4 years.
Otten is rock solid at TE. He was gotten progressively better at blocking since his rookie year.
Sure everyone wants that unicorn TE that has great speed, can block and catch. Those guys are few and far between. Maybe 2 or 3 in the entire league.
May 29th, 2026 at 10:42 am
You really would take Cade Otton over a Hall of Fame receiver???
The guy has 108 career touchdown catches. That’s 10-most in NFL history. Kinda think that buys a little street cred to excuse, what, four or five dropped touchdowns?
Pretty confident Evans has overcompensated the Bucs for those handful of touchdown drops.
May 29th, 2026 at 10:50 am
Joe doesn’t care what a guy’s personality is. In Joe’s eyes, it’s all about production.
But yeah, media like personalities. Hard to type decent, entertaining features on guys who don’t talk. Even Lavonte David admits this may have killed his Hall of Fame chances.
Ya gotta be visible (not just on the football field) in the entertainment business if you’re going to make it *big.*
May 29th, 2026 at 10:54 am
Coulda used a bit stronger of a word than “possibly.” 🙂
May 29th, 2026 at 10:58 am
“You really would take Cade Otton over a Hall of Fame receiver???”
The lengths people have gone the last few days to discredit Evans and what he was for this team has been ridiculous to read.
May 29th, 2026 at 11:07 am
@joe , who said I would take Mike Evans over Cade Otton? Don’t put words in my mouth. What I said is some writers won’t highlight when some athletes make bad plays while they jump on others. Because, as I DID say, they are jock sniffers . All you focus on is Cade’s 2 turnovers. One was even questionable (Detroit). Sniff on my man, sniff on ….
May 29th, 2026 at 11:26 am
Tis sad, but writers gotta eat too, but lets not lose site that there are more Fords than Fiats on the roads and getting the dirty work done. I’m glad the drivers (owners and GMs) realize this when it’s time to renew the lease
May 29th, 2026 at 11:29 am
Licht gave him the 10 million extension, which after taxes is only 5 million to help his family.
Otton became a father over the weekend.
Otton has taken a ton of shots over his career.
He has held onto the ball and Neem à very tough Buccaneer.
This will be his last rodeo in Tampa Bay.
We will let him sign elsewhere next season and draft his replacement in the 2nd round.
We will invest in an elite TE next season to pair with Emeka, McMillan, Tez Ànd Hurst.
May 29th, 2026 at 11:37 am
Two years ago, when Evans and Godwin were both hurt, Otton played great. He was essentially the #1 wideout as a TE.
I don’t have a problem with the guy. Some here do, but we could do far worse. When he gets on-target targets, he produces.
I’d rather have him on our team than Taylor Swift’s boyfriend.
BTW—wonder if he’ll keep his maiden name after they tie the knot.
May 29th, 2026 at 11:43 am
that’s what you suggested. Again, Mike Evans is a Hall of Famer. He’s got street cred to afford a mistake here or there because he makes up for those mistakes, 10-fold.
“Average” players cannot afford to make the same mistakes because they are not likely to make up for them, much less make 10-times more plays than mistakes (Evans). HUGE difference.
That’s like making an argument folks get on a .220 hitter in baseball for striking out but they don’t kill a guy who has 50 homer/100 RBIs for striking out. Well, yeah. The 50 homer/100 RBIs guy more than makes up for his whiffs, not so much a .220 hitter.
Are Evans and Otton treated differently? Sure are. One is going to the Hall of Fame and has a ring to his name. The other guy is a middle of the pack tight end.
May 29th, 2026 at 12:08 pm
I am disappointed we haven’t upgraded our TE room from last year. Maybe we can pick someone up before the season starts.
May 29th, 2026 at 12:19 pm
Teacherman, where do you get this stuff? Did your magic 8-ball tell you? Otton signed a 3 year/30 million dollar contract with 20 million guaranteed.
No way the Bucs cut him at the beginning of next season with that contract.