Bucs.com's Scott Smith considers rookie Cade Otton the "best option" to be the team's No. 1 tight end this season.

29 June 2022

The Bucs drafted Otton, who missed offseason workouts recovering from ankle surgery, as a hedge to Rob Gronkowski's retirement. With Gronkowski not returning, there's "potential for him to be the tight end the Bucs keep on the field most," according to Smith. Bucs TE Cameron Brate averaged under four targets and 70% of snaps in three starts for Gronkowski last year and is an inferior blocker to Otton, an every-down tight end and Day 1 starter at Washington. Otton will be eight months removed from surgery for the start of training camp.