Cade Otton Leads NFL’s Youngest TE Group
The Bucs are not only counting on Cade Otton to step up and be the team’s full-time starter at tight end this year, they’re also expecting him to step in as a veteran leader.
It’s an odd request for a player who just turned 24 and is coming off a slightly above average rookie season. But with the team parting ways with long-time veteran Cam Brate and not re-signing veteran Kyle Rudolph, Otton will have the most experience of any of Tampa Bay’s tight ends in 2023.
In fact, the Bucs will field the youngest group of tight ends in the NFL this year. Tampa Bay has six tight ends on the roster with newcomer David Wells, who is entering his third year, the oldest at age 28. But Wells has yet to catch his first pass in the NFL.
He is one of three tight ends vying for the fourth spot on the depth chart behind Otton, Ko Kieft (25) and Payne Durham (22), the team’s fifth-round pick. Wells is battling Dominique Dafney (25) and undrafted free agent Tanner Taula (25) for the final roster spot.
“It feels really weird you know – these rookies coming in it,” Otton said. “It feels like I’m just the same as them. But I’m super lucky last year to have guys like Kyle and Cam to show me the ropes and how things are done, and how to be a pro. Just great guys and great players. So I just want to do what I can to emulate them and keep building on last year and be the best. I don’t know if I’m a mentor it’s only my second year but just be the best example I can be from what I’ve learned.”
