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Cade Otton

Cade Otton Player Profile

Summary

Cade Otton was selected in the 4th round (106th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa Bay Buccaneers He played college football at Washington, where he totaled 91 catches for 1,062 yards and 9 touchdowns over his career. SI In 2020, he earned First‑Team All‑Pac‑12 honors. Tampa Bay Buccaneers In the NFL, Otton has proven to be a reliable two-way tight end, contributing as both a blocker and a receiving threat. According to his bio, he consistently gained the trust of his coaching staff, playing a high percentage of offensive snaps and earning a reputation for being “Mr. Reliable.” Tampa Bay Buccaneers Known for his toughness, high football IQ, and strong work ethic, he brings size (6′5″, ~247 lbs) plus good route-running and blocking ability. NFL Mocks

Strengths

  • Well‑Rounded Blocking Ability: Otton is considered one of the better blocking tight ends in his class — he blocks aggressively, sustains blocks, and finishes well. Wolf Sports

  • Smooth Route‑Running & Good Separation: He runs crisp routes, shows good footwork, and has the ability to “dip and deceive” when working the second level. Wolf Sports

  • Reliable Hands: Often praised for catching the ball cleanly, even on the move, and showing good control. Wolf Sports

  • Catch Radius / Size as a Target: With his height and length, he presents a big target in the middle of the field, especially in the red zone. SI

  • High-Level Run-Blocking: He uses his frame to seal off defenders, execute reach and scoop blocks, and block in space effectively. SI

  • Physicality & Motor: Plays with toughness, embraces contact, and doesn’t shy away from blocking assignments. Last Word On Sports

  • Three-Down Potential: He has the size, blocking chops, and receiving skill to be on the field in both run and pass situations.

  • Expanded Role & Trust from Coaches: In 2025, he ran an expanded route tree, played a very high percentage of snaps, and became a key piece in the offense. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Weaknesses

  • Not a Plus Deep Threat: His speed and athletic burst are functional, but he’s not likely to regularly beat defenders deep on pure athleticism. SI

  • Limited YAC (Yards After Catch): While he’s capable after the catch, he doesn’t always make defenders miss or break off long runs in space. SI

  • Underweight for Some Roles: At ~247 lb, some evaluators feel he could add more bulk, especially for more physical blocking duties. SI

  • Press / Jam Release Risks: May not consistently beat jams at the line due to his physical release technique. Wolf Sports

  • Injury History: Felt by some teams during pre-draft to have limited athletic testing due to an ankle injury; also some durability questions. SI

  • Ceiling as Y-Receiver May Be Limited: More projected as a move / in-line tight end rather than an extremely dynamic, explosive pass-catching Y-TE. Last Word On Sports

Fit & Outlook

Cade Otton projects as an excellent multi-purpose tight end in the NFL — someone who can hold up as an in-line blocker, contribute in the passing game, and be utilized on multiple levels of the field. He particularly fits well in offenses that value physical tight ends who can help with the run game while also serving as a reliable security blanket in the passing game. Given his blocking strength and solid route-running, he’s well-suited for a three-down role, especially in systems that ask tight ends to be forceful in both phases.

Looking forward, Otton’s outlook is very promising. He has already carved out a significant role for Tampa Bay, showing that he can be trusted with a large percentage of snaps. If he continues to refine his technique, especially in contested catches and release, and perhaps adds some functional strength, he could become one of the more complete tight ends in the league. His floor is strong — a dependable, starting TE — while his ceiling includes being a key multi-level weapon in both the run game and passing game.