Position Group: Tight End
Players: Cade Otton, Payne Durham, Ko Kieft, Devin Culp, Tanner Taula (Reserve/Future)
2024 Evaluation: Following injuries to both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, Cade Otton emerged as the primary producer in the Bucs' offense for a stretch in the middle of the season. In the trio of contests following the 41-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens via Monday Night Football in which Evans (right hamstring injury) and Godwin (dislocated ankle) sustained their ailments, Otton accumulated 25 catches, 258 yards and three touchdowns. He helped supplement the production of the prolific receiver tandem by becoming Baker Mayfield's new go-to target on third down. Otton ran a variety of routes that typically fell in the tree of Godwin, including out-breakers, options and wheels. He showcased his advanced skillset and sparked the offense at its most vulnerable. Through Week Eight, Otton ranked third in the NFL in receptions among tight ends (36), sixth in receiving yards (344), and tied for fourth in touchdown catches (3). He missed time at the end of the regular season with a knee injury but made an impact when on the field.
"He's got a knack for the game – he just knows the game," said Liam Coen of Otton. "He has a great feel. So many of those guys would just say that he's a football player. That's Cade and you can't say that about everybody. He just has that ability. Sometimes people look at that as a knock – maybe they're not as fast or as quick or as strong or can jump as high. Being a football player is a darn good thing and that's what he is. He's tough as nails, he's smart as heck, and I'd love for my son to grow up to be Cade Otton. That's the kind of guy that he is."
Few tight ends in the NFL are as multi-faceted as Otton, proficient in both blocking and route-running. He understands exploiting soft spots in zone and how to use his frame to gain leverage. Payne Durham stepped up in Otton's absence and moved the chains in critical moments. He primarily made a contribution in the run game with perimeter blocks, along with Ko Kieft. Both created lanes in the Bucs' gap scheme. Durham played 430 snaps (37.65%) and Kieft notched 104 (9.11%). Rookie Devin Culp took strides in the second-half of the 2024 campaign, hauling in contested catches downfield and speed to push the field vertically. As he grew, Culp posted 41 snaps in 2024.
"They were one of the groups that had the fewest mental errors during the season as well," said Head Coach Todd Bowles on the tight end room. "Coach [Justin] Peelle does great job getting Cade ready, getting Payne, getting Culp ready, having Ko available, using different types of guys to do what they do best."
2025 Outlook: Cade Otton, Payne Durham, Ko Kieft and Devin Culp are under contract for the 2025 campaign, bringing continuity for the room. Culp was inactive for 13 of the Bucs' 18 games in 2024, including playoffs. He saw most of his playing time during the stretch when Otton was out with a knee injury and showed his ability to make challenging grabs during his cameos on the field. Culp will likely see more playing time in 2025 alongside Otton, Durham and Kieft to keep defenses guessing.
