Cade Otton News

The rookie tight end put a productive cap on his first NFL season with Monday night's showing, which saw him check in third in receiving yards and fourth in catches and targets on the night for the Buccaneers. Otton recorded just one catch for four yards on two targets over his first two NFL games, but he began expanding his profile in the offense beginning in Week 4 against the Chiefs and posted multiple receptions in all but three of the final 14 contests of the campaign. Otton certainly was afforded enough of a platform to prove he can serve as the top receiving option at the position, but it remains to be seen who he'll be catching passes from in 2023 with Tom Brady not expected back in Tampa Bay.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Otton notably checked in third in targets on the night for the Buccaneers, but his inefficiency in corralling those looks led to a lackluster fantasy night. The rookie also logged a whopping 65 snaps overall, leaving position mate's Cameron Brate's eight plays from scrimmage in the dust. Otton should continue to enjoy a robust role in a key Week 17 divisional clash against the Panthers.