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The tight end position has not been a major strength for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since having Rob Gronkowski years ago, as Matt Okada of NFL.com recently named it the biggest remaining issue on the roster.
Former fourth-round pick Cade Otton has been the primary tight end for the last few seasons, posting respectable, yet mundane numbers.
On Wednesday, PFF ranked all 32 starting TEs, with Otton ranking No.
29.
"Otton was one of the more sure-handed tight ends in the league this past season, dropping just two of his 61 catchable targets," PFF's Dalton Wasserman and Max Chadwick wrote.
"Thats allowed quarterback Baker Mayfield to trust him a lot over the past two seasons, as his 1,172 receiving yards since 2024 are 11th in the NFL." Despite his consistent catching ability, Otton is not very dynamic in the passing game, as the former Washington pass catcher has just 11 touchdowns in four seasons with Tampa Bay.
Last year, Otton recorded 59 catches for 572 yards and just one touchdown, with his lone score coming in the final game of the season against the Carolina Panthers.
Otton did post a few big performances throughout the regular season, including a 12-catch game against the New England Patriots.
This production was enough for Otton to earn a 3-year, $30 million contract , but the Bucs are still waiting for him to take the next step.
Outside of Otton, Tampa doesn't have many options, as Devin Culp and Payne Durham were the only two other TEs to record a reception last season, combining for two catches and 17 yards.
LSU tight end Bauer Sharp is a new face in the room, as Tampa moved up to select him with the No.
185 pick in this past year's draft.
Following a lone year in Norman, OK, Sharp transferred to LSU for his senior campaign.
With the Tigers, Sharp notched 24 catches for 252 yards and two scores, starting all 13 games.
While Sharp could grow into a solid player, he is not ready to take on a huge role, leaving the Bucs without a potential game-breaking player at the position.
One intriguing option for the Bucs, should they look to add to the room, is free agent TE Jonnu Smith.
Smith spent one season with the Pittsburgh Steelers before being released and is yet to sign with a team.
While Smith's numbers in Pittsburgh don't jump off the screen, he has shown the ability to be a difference maker in the vertical passing game.
Just two seasons ago, Smith put together the best season of his career with the Miami Dolphins , racking up 88 catches for 884 yards and eight scores.
According to Spotrac, Smith has a market value around $7 million annually, which may have dropped considering his reluctance to sign a deal.
Taking a flier on Smith could be a gamble that pays off, as he plays a similar style of tight end to the Atlanta Falcons' Kyle Pitts, who had a career season under offensive coordinator Zac Robinson in 2025.
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