Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has been impressive so far for the Pewter Pirates in 2023. Leading the team to a 3-1 record while throwing seven touchdowns and two interceptions, Mayfield has received praise from several media talking heads. Many “experts” may have underrated how Mayfield would play in Tampa. But there’s so much more that factors in to this, including the play of his supporting cast.
While some of said talking heads have Mayfield penciled in as the frontrunner for team’s offensive MVP, head coach Todd Bowles thinks a different player is vastly underrated and a major contributor to Mayfield’s and the team’s success. That player is tight end Cade Otton.
“Cade is probably the most underrated player on offense,” Bowles stated recently on the Buccaneers Radio Network, via JoeBucsFan.com. “He blocks big defensive ends, he blocks linebackers. He does all the dirty work…has great hands, great receiving skills.”
Otton was drafted in the fourth-round of the 2022 NFL draft. His rookie season he posted 391 yards on 42 receptions with two touchdowns. This season he has 22 receptions for 89 yards and one touchdown. But it’s the little things Otton does that has Bowles so excited for the second-year tight end.
“It goes unnoticed when he gets the four- or six-yard catches,” Bowles stated about Otton’s performance in 2023. “But he makes a play all the time. He’s reliable. You know where he’s going to be. He’s tough. He’s very smart, he’s very instinctive. He has a great feel for the game and he’s a great outlet for Baker.”
Look for Otton’s snap count to steadily increase as he continues to impress the coaching staff and Mayfield.
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