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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have not exactly filled the gaping void left behind at their tight end position since Rob Gronkowski re-retired, but they have a youngster who might be a fantasy waiver-wire sleeper this week.
Tampa Bay selected Washington product Cade Otton in the fourth round of this past April’s NFL draft to be their future starting tight end. Not much was expected from him this season since longtime stalwart Cameron Brate was projected to be the top tight end and veteran Kyle Rudolph was signed in the offseason to add depth.
Yet with Brate concussed and Rudolph not factoring in the passing attack, Otton managed to catch a half-dozen Tom Brady tosses and turned them into 43 yards last weekend. So should you pick up Otton to help your fantasy squad this week? Here is my take:
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No, I think there are better options on fantasy league waiver wires this week at tight end IF you are looking short-term. While you can make the argument that Otton has a decent chance to be the best tight end on Tampa’s team from here on out, he has a few things going against him that prevent him from being a sure shot.
Brate is back practicing this week, so there is a good chance he will strap on a helmet this Sunday. If Brate plays and starts, that will severely cut into Otton’s time and targets. While Otton proved what he can do when given opportunities, he will not be able to muster much if Brady only aims at him two or three times per game.
Another thing going against Otton’s target total is the good health of the Buccaneers receiving corps. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are both 100 percent, and Russell Gage should probably play this week as well. That will make it even more difficult for Otton to get a fair share of looks when he is behind Brate and the receivers on the target pecking order.
Otton does have long-term value in dynasty leagues and could be a late-season sleeper in PPR leagues if he overtakes Brate for the No. 1 TE role, so he has pickup potential. I would personally choose a handful of tight ends (Taysom Hill, Hayden Hurst, Evan Engram) over Otton, however, if I needed one this week. If you are thinking about the future, pick Otton. If you are thinking about the present, do not be so quick to make him your pick.
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