Sometimes in the offense of the Bucs, the tight ends will get overlooked due to the star power at other positions. But through it all, starter Cade Otton has proved himself vital to the every-game operations of Tampa Bay’s offense playing almost every snap each week.
The stats may not always show it, but he’s doing the little things to help the team. And when Otton was out and Payne Durham and Devin Culp had to play more at the end of the season, they also stepped up.
Bucs TE Cade Otton – Photo by: USA Today
It’s an overall intriguing group going into this season, but the tight ends are going to prove to be very important for the Bucs at the beginning of the season with left tackle Tristan Wirfs out for a couple of games.
It’s likely that the Bucs will keep at least one tight end on the side of Wirfs fill-in, Charlie Heck. They’re going to be relied on to double team edge rushers and chip them as well before going out for passes. Much of this falls on Otton but it’ll be expected of Durham and Culp, too.

Bucs TE Payne Durham – Photo by: USA Today
There’s a chance that we witness more two-tight end sets and potentially even some formation with all three tight ends playing. This group is very important to the success of the Bucs this season.
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Bucs TE Devin Culp – Photo by: USA Today
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