Cade Otton

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tight End
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tight End

Cade Otton News

Competition expected from rookie

Otton is joined on the tight end depth chart by rookie fifth-round pick Payne Durham, who recorded 56 receptions for 560 yards and eight touchdowns during his senior 2022 campaign at Purdue, Brianna Dix of the team's official site reports.

Analysis: Otton was a first-year hit in 2022 while splitting time with veteran Cameron Brate, progressively earning Tom Brady's trust and finishing with 42 receptions, tops among rookie tight ends across the league. Brate is no longer on the roster, but Otton now stands to face competition for targets from another young position mate with receiving prowess in Durham, who boasts a large catch radius that could make him an especially good fit while working with either Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask, two quarterbacks for which accuracy may not always be a strong suit. Nevertheless, Otton is expected to serve as the clear leader in snaps at the position thanks in part to his underrated blocking ability and knack for moving the chains -- 19 of his receptions in 2022 went for first downs.

May 11, 2023 10:17 AM EST


One catch in finale

Otton secured his only target for five yards in the Buccaneers' 30-17 loss to the Falcons on Sunday.

Analysis: The rookie tight end saw just 19 snaps from scrimmage as head coach Todd Bowles limited the play of his starters. Otton recorded multiple receptions in 11 of his last 13 regular-season games, but he'll head into next Monday night's wild-card matchup against the Cowboys not having topped 28 receiving yards since Week 10.

Jan 9, 2023 7:10 PM EST



Quiet in win

Otton caught two of six targets for 17 yards in Sunday's 30-24 win over the Panthers.

Analysis: Otton played 68 of the Buccaneers' 78 offensive snaps Sunday, the most of any Tampa Bay pass catcher. Despite seeing the field for all but 10 snaps, the rookie tight end could not get much going in the contest. Assuming his steady usage continues, Otton will look to have a bounce back performance in Week 18 as the Buccaneers visit the Falcons to close out the regular season.

Jan 4, 2023 5:07 AM EST


Gets back to full participation

Otton (quadriceps) practiced fully Thursday, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Analysis: Otton opened Week 17 prep with a limited session Wednesday due to a quad injury, but it didn't stop him from getting back to all activity one day later. He'll thus continue to serve as Tampa Bay's top receiving tight end Sunday versus the Panthers, which so far has resulted in a 39-369-2 line on 58 targets for the rookie fourth-round pick in 14 games this season.

Dec 29, 2022 1:35 PM EST


Dealing with quad issue

Otton was a limited practice participant Wednesday due to a quadriceps injury.

Analysis: Otton has been a regular in the Buccaneers offense when healthy in his rookie season, playing more than 50 percent of snaps in 13 of 14 appearances. His target count has been all over the place, though, with a range of zero to 10 over the last five games, a stretch in which he compiled a 13-88-1 line on 23 targets. With a health concern in tow, Otton's status will continue to be monitored as the week goes on ahead of Sunday's NFC South showdown with the Panthers.

Dec 28, 2022 3:00 PM EST



Limited to one catch Sunday

Otton secured his only target for 20 yards in the Buccaneers' 34-23 loss to the Bengals on Sunday.

Analysis: Otton logged a robust 48 snaps, so his meager volume was particularly perplexing on a day when Tom Brady threw for 312 yards. However, with 19 more plays from scrimmage than veteran position mate Cameron Brate, Otto still appears to be the top pass-catching option at the position going into a Week 16 Christmas Night road matchup against the Cardinals.

Dec 19, 2022 11:08 PM EST


Key scoring grab in win

Otton secured six of 10 targets for 28 yards and a touchdown in the Buccaneers' 17-16 win over the Saints on Monday night.

Analysis: The rookie tight end tied for second on the team in receptions was the runner-up in targets as well, but the most noteworthy part of his night was his one-yard touchdown grab with three minutes remaining that made it a one-possession game. Otton once again had the No. 1 tight end role to himself with Cameron Brate's (illness) fourth absence in the last six games, which led to a new career high in targets for the 2022 fourth-round pick. Otton will aim to build on the solid performance in a Week 14 road battle versus the 49ers.

Dec 5, 2022 9:04 PM EST


No targets in Week 12 loss

Otton did not draw a target over 36 snaps during the Buccaneers' 23-17 overtime loss to the Browns on Sunday.

Analysis: The complete lack of involvement was a shock considering Otton had recorded multiple catches in seven straight games and had failed to make at least one reception in every game except for the Week 1 win over the Cowboys. Otton still led the tight end group in snaps and should have a opportunity to bounce back against the Saints in the Week 13 Monday night divisional clash.

Nov 28, 2022 9:27 PM EST


Three grabs in Germany win

Otton brought in all three targets for 35 yards in the Buccaneers' 21-16 win over the Seahawks on Sunday.

Analysis: Despite the return of Cameron Brate from a neck injury, Otton still outsnapped his teammate by a 46-34 count and also logged and additional target. Otton appears to have Tom Brady's trust -- particularly after hauling in a game-winning touchdown against the Rams in Week 9 -- and the transition from Brate to him as the top pass-catching option is essentially unfolding. Otton's next opportunity to continue securing his grip on an already solid role comes in a Week 12 road matchup against the Browns following a Week 11 bye.

Nov 14, 2022 10:50 PM EST


Hauls in winning TD

Otton caught five of six targets for 68 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 16-13 win over the Rams.

Analysis: The rookie tight end was quiet most of the game, but he emerged as Tom Brady's favorite target in the fourth quarter, hauling in a 28-yard pass to begin the Bucs' final possession before capping it with a one-yard game-winning TD with just nine seconds left on the clock. Otton has seen at least five targets in all four games Cameron Brate (neck) has missed this season, and the trust he's earning from Brady could allow him to retain a significant role even if Brate is healthy for a Week 10 clash with the Seahawks in Germany.

Nov 6, 2022 7:13 PM EST


Pair of grabs in Week 8 loss

Otton brought in two of five targets for 15 yards in the Buccaneers' 27-22 loss to the Ravens on Thursday night.

Analysis: The rookie tight end drew another start with Cameron Brate (neck) out of action, but he couldn't parlay the opportunity into the same level of production he'd enjoyed in a pair of previous contests with an expanded role. Otton logged a robust 56 snaps overall, so the inefficient night certainly wasn't attributable to a lack of playing time. Otton has showed plenty of promise as a pass catcher, however, so even if Brate is back for the Week 9 home matchup against the Rams a week from Sunday, the 2022 fourth-round pick should still see a solid amount of playing time.

Oct 28, 2022 11:52 PM EST


Another start awaits

Otton is expected to serve as the Buccaneers' top tight end Thursday against the Ravens with Cameron Brate (neck) listed as out for the contest.

Analysis: Brate will be sidelined for the third time in four games, setting Otton up another starting opportunity. While playing north of 50 percent of the snaps on offense in each of the Bucs' last four contests, Otton has proven to be a useful short-yardage target for quarterback Tom Brady. In those games, Otton is averaging 3.8 receptions for 39.8 yards on 4.8 targets.

Oct 27, 2022 9:25 AM EST


Another productive showing in loss

Otton brought in four of five targets for 64 yards in the Buccaneers' 21-3 loss to the Panthers on Sunday.

Analysis: Otton finished with the second-highest yardage total of the day for the Buccaneers' pass catchers as he drew a start for Cameron Brate (neck). The rookie has made good use of both his starting opportunities thus far -- he also posted a 6-43 line on seven targets in Week 5 when Brate was out with a concussion. The rookie may slowly be putting himself in position to take over the top role irrespective of Brate's status, and he could be in line for another game in that spot with Tampa Bay having a quick turnaround for a Week 8 home matchup against the Ravens.

Oct 23, 2022 3:56 PM EST


Pair of grabs in Week 6 loss

Otton brought in two of three targets for 23 yards in the Buccaneers' 20-18 loss to the Steelers on Sunday.

Analysis: The rookie tight end went back to a timeshare role at tight end to open the game, as Cameron Brate had been deemed healthy enough to return from his concussion. However, Brate suffered a head/neck injury that forced him to be stretchered off after 32 snaps, leading to Otton assuming the lead pass-catching role at the position the rest of the way. Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports that Brate's injury has now officially been diagnosed as a neck sprain and there are no associated neurological issues, but there's seemingly a good chance the veteran sits out the Week 7 road matchup against the Panthers, at minimum, opening up more opportunity for Otton in the process.

Oct 17, 2022 10:40 AM EST


Stands out with role expansion

Otton brought in six of seven targets for 43 yards in the Buccaneers' 21-15 win over the Falcons on Sunday.

Analysis: The rookie drew expanded opportunity with Cameron Brate (concussion) sidelined, and he was able to build his 3-29 line for Week 4 with another set of career highs. Otton's performance over the last two games offers an encouraging glimpse at his upside, and it could well earn him much more of a steady, larger role going forward.

Oct 9, 2022 4:12 PM EST


Clear of injury report

Otton (personal) was not listed on the Buccaneers' injury report Wednesday.

Analysis: Otton appears ready to return after he missed Tampa Bay's loss to the Packers in Week 3 due to personal reasons. The rookie tight end recorded one reception for four yards on two targets while playing 63 offensive snaps over the first two weeks of the season, though he figures to see increased targets if wideouts Chris Godwin (hamstring), Julio Jones (knee), Russell Gage (hamstring) and Breshad Perriman (knee/hamstring) are sidelined in Week 4.

Sep 28, 2022 5:35 PM EST


Out as expected Sunday

Otton (personal) is inactive for Sunday's Week 3 game against the Packers, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: As expected, the rookie tight end will not be available after missing practice all week. In his absence, fellow rookie Ko Kieft and veteran Kyle Rudolph, the latter garnering active status for the first time this season, will serve as complementary options behind top tight end Cameron Brate.

Sep 25, 2022 12:25 PM EST


Unlikely to play Sunday

Otton (personal) is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Packers.

Analysis: Otton didn't practice all week due to personal reasons and will likely be sidelined for at least one game. If he's ruled out, Ko Kieft and Kyle Rudolph would be candidates for increased roles behind Cameron Brate.

Sep 23, 2022 2:14 PM EST


First pro reception Sunday

Otton brought in one of two targets for four yards in the Buccaneers' 20-10 win over the Saints on Sunday.

Analysis: The rookie tight end thus got on the board with his first pro reception after not drawing a target in the opener. The Buccaneers' depleted receiving corps helped facilitate a bit more opportunity for Otton in the air attack, and he also saw his snap count bump up to 38 after he logged 30 against Dallas in Week 1. Otton's active status over veteran Kyle Rudolph over the first two games is encouraging as well, and with Tampa Bay now potentially down all three of Mike Evans (suspension), Chris Godwin (hamstring) and Julio Jones (knee) for a Week 3 showdown with the Packers, Otton could see another role expansion in that contest.

Sep 19, 2022 11:26 AM EST


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