NFL Execs, Coaches And Scouts Disrespect Cade Otton
July 12th, 2025
“Just keep doing what you’re doing, Cade.”
It’s that time again, when Jeremy Fowler of ESPN systematically rolls out results of his annual survey of many dozens of league executives, coaches and scouts, an exercise to rank the best 10 players at each position.
Twenty-two tight ends got at least one vote from the 70-plus voters. Not one tight end was named Cade Otton.
That’s rough considering the Bucs’ starter ranked tied for 8th among tight ends in catches of 20 or more yards last season. Otton also ranked 14th in total receiving yards and 12th in catches.
Think about those Otton numbers — yet 22 tight ends got at least a vote in the top-10 survey.
Back on Dec. 9, before his late season injury, Otton ranked seventh in total catches (57), seventh in yards (576) and fourth in completions of 20 yards more.
Otton is now in his fourth season, a contract year. He’s a good player, a solid starter who probably could be a top-10 tight end with more targets and a little more respect for his blocking ability.
Joe would hope these survey results might light a fire under Otton, but that seems impossible.
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