Cade Otton’s Struggles Amidst Buccaneers’ Injury Woes
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton experienced a remarkable ascent last season, emerging as a vital target in the wake of injuries to key receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. During that period, he became Baker Mayfield’s go-to weapon, recording a remarkable three-game stretch with yardage totals of 100, 81, and 71, alongside a minimum of eight receptions in each contest. This performance translated to a career-high of 600 receiving yards and four touchdowns from 59 catches.
A Disappointing Start to the Season
Fast forward to this season, and Otton finds himself struggling to make an impact. Over the first three games, he has managed a mere three receptions for 25 yards, with all of his production coming during the win against the Houston Texans. In Week 1, despite playing a staggering 86 percent of the offensive snaps, he was targeted just three times, failing to register a catch. Week 2 brought a slight improvement, yet still fell short, as he recorded those same three receptions for a total of 25 yards.
The situation only worsened in Week 3 against the New York Jets, where Otton found himself on the field for 91.7 percent of the offensive snaps but was completely overlooked, finishing the game without a single target. This raises an important question: how has a player who enjoyed a breakout season last year become so underutilized in the current campaign, especially when the Buccaneers are facing significant personnel challenges?
Examining the Underlying Issues
The puzzling decline in Otton’s involvement prompts speculation about possible factors at play. Is the offensive scheme under Josh Grizzard less favorable to his skill set compared to Liam Coen’s approach last year, which prominently featured Otton in the passing game? Alternatively, could it be that Otton’s role has shifted this season, leaning more toward a blocking tight end rather than a receiving threat?
The statistical drop-off is striking, as Otton has played over 86 percent of offensive snaps but has been limited to just seven targets for a mere three receptions. With Evans sidelined for an estimated three to four weeks, the window for Otton to reestablish himself as a key player is wide open. Yet, despite the opportunity, something seems amiss regarding his usage.
Looking Ahead
As the Buccaneers adapt to the absence of Evans, all eyes will be on Otton. Will he seize this chance to reemerge as a pivotal contributor in the passing game, or will the early-season struggles continue to define his performance? Only time will tell, but the stark contrast between last season’s success and this season’s challenges is undeniable.
