NFL 'MNF' player prop: Otton candy

After enjoying sweet Super Bowl success and three straight playoff appearances under Tom Brady, the Buccaneers have thus far made a seamless transition at quarterback. Baker Mayfield, the former first overall pick of the Browns, delivered wins in his first two games and now tries to do something his predecessor never did — lead the team to a 3-0 start. As the likewise-undefeated Eagles visit Tampa in the first of another pair of Monday night matchups, we’re backing a pass catcher on the home side for our top prop:

The bet: Over 25½ receiving yards for Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (DraftKings)

Despite modest production during his four seasons at Washington, Otton was selected in the fourth round of the 2022 draft. He turned in an up-and-down rookie campaign but showed enough to take the starting position away from veteran Cameron Brate.

Seeing little competition at tight end this season, Otton appears to be an integral part of the passing attack. He has played 97% of the offensive snaps, and in last week’s victory over the Bears, he caught all six of his targets for a total of 41 yards. He also had a 9-yard reception negated by penalty.

Through the first two weeks, Philadelphia had allowed the second-most receiving yards to tight ends. The Patriots’ Hunter Henry (56) and Mike Gesicki (36) both cleared this number in the opener, and then they were outdone by the Vikings’ T.J. Hockenson (66).

With wideouts Mike Evans and Chris Godwin stretching the field, Otton will work underneath and be rewarded with sugar from Baker.