Bucs coaching camp is drawing close to and it’s time to preview the Bucs roster place by place. Pewter Report will break down and look at every roster spot, the gamers on the depth chart and preview the outlook for the 2022 season.
Rounding out the ability positions within the Bucs 2022 Camp Preview sequence is tight ends.
Tight Ends
Although he wasn’t technically underneath contract, the tight finish place was dealt a serious blow when Rob Gronkowski retired. His retirement thrusts Cameron Brate to the highest of the depth chart. The 31-year outdated Brate is the one tight finish with actual enjoying time on the roster, and the Bucs will rely closely on him this yr as such. Paradoxically sufficient, Brate was a close to cap casualty the final two seasons however restructured his contact every year.
The one different participant with NFL expertise is Codey McElroy. Although in his three years as a member of the Bucs apply squad he’s solely seen motion in three video games and is nowhere close to a lock to make the roster.
The Bucs’ fourth-round choice Cade Otton has been recovering from ankle surgical procedure and has but to see the sector. Whereas sixth-round decide Ko Kieft profiles extra as a blocking tight finish and isn’t assured to make the roster both. Rounding out the group is a pair of undrafted free brokers, Ben Beise and J.J. Howland.
With out confirmed depth on the roster the Bucs could elect to make use of extra 11 personnel (one again, one tight finish and three receivers) on offense. Although they may nonetheless add to the group with a veteran commerce or signing. This will likely be one of the crucial attention-grabbing positions to look at come coaching camp.
Cameron Brate
Brate enters his ninth season with the Bucs in a spot he’s been earlier than – the highest tight finish on the depth chart. Extra of a receiver than a blocker, it will likely be attention-grabbing to see how Tampa Bay makes use of Brate this season, particularly within the run sport. Although he must be a viable crimson zone menace as he’s no stranger to discovering the top zone. His 33 touchdowns are the sixth most by a good finish since 2015.
2021 Stats: 30 receptions for 245 yards and 4 TDs.
Cade Otton
Bucs TE Cade Otton – Picture by: USA In the present day
Figuring out the uncertainty on the place the Bucs chosen Otton firstly of Day 3. A conventional Y tight finish, the Washington product might want to stand up to hurry rapidly after lacking your entire offseason program recovering from ankle surgical procedure. The hope is Otton will be capable to contribute rapidly, as he gives extra blocking upside than Brate with receiving capacity as properly. He’ll must show the soar to NFL competitors isn’t an excessive amount of to deal with, and will likely be examined out the gate in camp by the Bucs’ entrance seven. If he can do this he ought to be capable to be a constant contributor his rookie yr.
2021 Faculty Stats: 28 receptions for 250 yards and a TD.
Ko Kieft
The Bucs doubled down at tight finish within the draft choosing Kieft within the sixth spherical. Identified for his tenacious blocking capacity, Kieft isn’t afraid to do the soiled work and truly thrives doing it. His probabilities to make the roster elevated with Gronk’s retirement, however might want to carve out a task on particular groups as properly. If he lands a spot on the roster the Bucs might roll him out working downs and heavy units, particularly down on the objective line.
2021 Faculty Stats: 7 receptions for 101 yards and a TD.
Codey McElroy
Bucs Codey McElroy – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
McElroy is the one different tight finish on the roster that has precise NFL expertise, restricted as it might be. That received’t essentially give him a leg up on the competitors although. McElroy noticed motion in two video games final season, however didn’t report a reception and was focused simply as soon as. He’ll want to point out he’s improved not simply as a receiver however as a blocker as properly. Very similar to Tanner Hudson final yr, it’s time to point out up for the fifth-year tight finish.
2021 Stats: N/A
Ben Beise
Biese signed with the Bucs on the conclusion of the draft receiving a $4,000 signing bonus. He began his school profession as a quarterback earlier than making the swap to tight finish. He’s nonetheless uncooked, however reveals good contact stability, usually taking extra than simply the primary tackler to go down. In school Beise was additionally used within the working sport and even accomplished a go for 38 yards. He had confirmed off his arms throughout rookie mini-camp, hauling practically every little thing thrown his manner. His measurement and flexibility mixture are intriguing, and he might land a spot on the apply squad.
2021 Faculty Stats: 38 receptions for 358 yards and a TD with 22 carries 93 dashing yards and 4 TDs.
JJ Howland
The 6-6 tight finish was signed to the Bucs roster after a check out throughout rookie mini-camp. Howland impressed coaches by catching nearly every little thing thrown his manner. Whereas he struggled a bit throughout OTAs, the previous basketball star gives an intriguing developmental undertaking for the Bucs.
2021 Faculty Stats: 16 receptions for 234 yards and a pair of TDs.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings