Cade Otton

Career StatsD+

Year	Team	GP	Rec	Yards	TD
Career		63	207	2,018	11
2025		16	59	572	1
2024		14	59	600	4
2023		17

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Buccaneers handed Cade Otton a slight overpay with his three-year, $30M extension, earning a C CVI that reflects the tension between positional scarcity and production concerns. While $10M AAV sits in the upper-middle tier for tight ends, Otton's rotational player profile doesn't quite justify that salary bracket — he's being paid like a reliable starter despite inconsistent target share and limited red zone impact in Tampa Bay's offense. At 25, he's entering his prime years with room for growth, but the $20M guaranteed represents significant risk for a player who hasn't proven he can be a consistent weekly difference-maker. The three-year structure gives the Bucs flexibility to pivot if Otton doesn't elevate his game, though they're betting heavily on potential over proven production. This deal screams "we couldn't afford to lose him but probably paid 15-20% more than we should have," which captures the current tight end market's inflated pricing perfectly.

Performance Analysis

Cade Otton earns a D+ for the Buccaneers at tight end, a solid but unspectacular option in Tampa Bay's passing attack. Otton has shown reliable hands and decent route running, making him a useful intermediate target for the quarterback. His blocking has been serviceable, though not dominant, which keeps him on the field in non-passing situations. The issue is that Otton has not taken the leap into true playmaker territory — he is a safety valve more than a weapon. Tampa Bay needs more explosive production from the tight end position, and Otton has been too much of a complementary piece to push the needle higher.

Fan Sentiment

Tampa Bay locks up a reliable starting tight end in a sensible retention move. Multiple reporters confirmed the deal, with Pelissero and others flagging Otton as a legitimate free agent target worth tracking. The key signal: Bucs aggressively kept Otton despite projected $23M market value, signaling real commitment. Fans are relieved, as Otton has been Baker Mayfield's trusted safety valve in the passing game. Expect Otton to remain a core offensive piece as Tampa pushes for another playoff run.