Potential Buccaneers Targets And Best Fits In The Draft: Tight End

JC Allen breaks down each position in the draft with potential fits, including the best fits for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL Draft.

Big 12: Texas Longhorns wide receiver Ja'Tavion Sanders (0) celebrates a catch for a first down / Aaron E. Martinez / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers did exactly what they said they would do this offseason and returned all of their high-quality free agents on the team. Back in the fold are Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, Lavonte David, Chase McLaughlin, and Antoine Winfield Jr. They added depth and potential starters to the team with the likes of Jordan Whitehead, Sua Opeta, Ben Bredeson, Tavierre Thomas, Bryce Hall, and Randy Gregory while also bringing back core depth pieces in Greg Gaines, Chase Edmonds, and John Wolford. 

The moves they made have given them great flexibility in the draft and while holes remain on the roster they’ve positioned themselves to where they aren’t pigeonholed into any one position in the draft. In this series, we’ll take a look at each position in the draft and potential prospects they could select in each round. In some rounds, there won’t be any fits due to not having an overwhelming need at the position or no first-round grades on players who could potentially be there at their selection. 

At the end of each preview, we’ll break down the Bucs best roster fits at each position from rounds 1-2, 3-4, and 5-7.

Otton was an ironman for the Bucs last season, playing in 98% of the team's offensive snaps. With no clear option behind him to steal snaps away, that could be the case again in 2024. The position is dry in free agency and after boasting the league's youngest tight end room in the league, they could add even more youth to the position. The team hopes to receive more production from Durham who made some spectacular receptions down the stretch. Kieft has proven he is nothing more than a blocker and special teamer and Wells floundered the chance to be the number two early on. The Bucs clearly have a need at tight end but in a down year in the draft at the position they will struggle to find a difference-maker unless they opt to address the position early.

Round 1 

Brock Bowers, Georgia [6'3, 243, N/A-40, JR]

It's highly unlikely Bowers is available when the Bucs pick at 26, though there have been rumblings that he could be in for a slide come draft night. There have only been nine tight ends drafted in the first round over the last 10 years in a position the league has somewhat devalued especially with high draft picks. Of those nine only one has had over 1,000 yards receiving. However, if Bowers is available, the Bucs should consider selecting him.

Bowers is a mismatch nightmare as an explosive pass catcher and knows how to set up routes against defenders. He has good speed at the position able to beat linebackers at the next level. However, a knock on him is his inconsistency as a blocker and he is more of a glorified receiver with his size. He finished his collegiate career with 175 receptions for 2,538 yards and 16 touchdowns. He hasn't had any known communication with the Bucs but new wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon was in Georgia with him the last two seasons.

Round 2

Ja'Tavion Sanders, Texas [6'2, 245, 4.65-40, JR]

A spectacular athlete and pass catcher, he has the speed and acceleration to get open at any level. He highpoints the ball away from defenders and is a factor after the catch. However, he needs to become a reliable blocker and can drift during his routes. He only has two years of production totaling 99 receptions for 1,295 yards and seven touchdowns. He hasn't had any known meetings with the Bucs but is the second-best tight end in the draft.

Rounds 3 - 4

Theo Johnson, Penn State [6'6, 259, 4.57-40, SR]

Johnson is a powerful blocker with a smooth stride and body control as a route runner. He's a good contested catch receiver who has adequate acceleration to separate at the top of his routes. However, he sometimes oversells his routes and has below-average change of direction skills. He will also need to be thoroughly vetted as he was charged with two misdemeanors in 2023. Johnson finished his collegiate career with 77 receptions for 938 yards and 12 touchdowns. He had an informal interview with the Bucs at the Combine.

Jared Wiley, TCU [6'6, 248, 4.62-40, 5SR]

Wiley is a tough blocker who uses his height and length to keep rushers at bay and bully in the run game. He has great ball skills and a wide catch radius using his body to block out defenders for contested catches. A team captain who values being a leader, he'll need to continue to work on pacing while running routes and being less predictable out of his breaks. Could be a bit more nasty blocking and has less than ideal contact balance. He finished his collegiate career with modest production totaling 90 receptions, 1,013 yards, and 15 touchdowns. He hasn't had any known meetings with the Bucs.

Cade Stover, Ohio State [6'4, 249, 4.65-40, 5SR]

Stover is a tough, intelligent football player as evidenced by his collegiate background as a linebacker playing and starting both ways in in the 2021 Rose Bowl. He displays smooth athleticism catching the ball in stride and strong hands with only two drops in college. A two-time team captain, Stover displays good contact balance making contested catches and is a more than adequate blocker. However, he doesn't have high-end speed, can struggle to separate laterally, and could stand to be a bit nastier blocking in-line. He finished his collegiate career with 82 receptions, 1.058 yards, and 10 touchdowns averaging 12.9 yards per catch in two seasons as a full-time starting tight end. He had a formal visit with the Bucs at the Combine.

Ben Sinnott, Kansas State [6'3, 250, 4.68-40, 4JR]

Sinnott is a versatile tight end that can line up all over the field. He's quick for his size, smooth catching the ball in stride, and can run routes at all three levels. However, he's a better blocker in space than inline and will struggle to anchor in pass protection. He has less than ideal arm length which leads to a smaller catch radius, difficult high-pointing contested catches, and difficulty with long-armed edge rushers. He finished 2023 as the Lowman Trophy award winner given to the best fullback in college with 49 receptions, 676 yards, and six touchdowns. He had an informal visit with the Bucs at the Combine and was brought in for an official 30 visit.

Tanner McLaughlin, Arizona [6'5, 244, 4.61, 6SR]

McLaughlin a former basketball player, plays with tremendous effort on every play. He has active hands to sustain blocks, good acceleration through his routes with strong hands, every down, and body control to box out defenders. He'll need to continue to develop as a route runner and run blocker but has a high upside as an every-down contributor. He finished his super senior year with 45 receptions for 528 yards and four scores. He had an informal interview with the Bucs at the Combine.

Round 5-7

Tip Reiman, Illinois [6'4, 271, 4.64-40, SR]

He is more polished as a blocker than a receiver at this point but wasn't used as much in the passing game as he would've liked. He has surprising athleticism for his size but won't beat anyone deep down the seam. Core special teamer with the ability to carve out a role on offense, especially in blocking situations. He had 14 of his 19 receptions go for first downs or touchdowns his senior year. Rieman finished his collegiate career with 41 receptions for 420 yards and five touchdowns. The Bucs recently brought him in for an official 30 visit.

A.J. Barner, Michigan [6'6, 251, 4.81-40, SR]

Barner is a plus blocker with excellent grip strength to sustain blocks. He knows how to find the open spots in zone and will work through traffic and contact to make the catch. However, he doesn't offer much as a receiver as a below-average athlete and will drift on his routes. He finished his college career with just 64 receptions for 610 yards and five touchdowns. He had an informal interview with the Bucs at the Combine.

Erick All, Iowa [6'4, 252, N/A, 5SR]

All is trying to be the next great Iowa tight end following in the footsteps of Sam Laporta and Greg Kittle. He displays good agility and athleticism with good enough hands and contact balance to pick up extra yards. However, he's not a great inline blocker doing his best work in space, and wasn't asked to pass block much. In addition, he drops the easy catches and his route running needs polish. He had season-ending injuries in each of the last two seasons including an ACL tear late in 2023 so his medicals will need to check out. He finished his college career with 75 receptions, 864 yards, and five touchdowns but most of that production came at Michigan before he transferred to Iowa for his final season. He had an informal meeting with the Bucs at the Combine.

Jaheim Bell, Florida State [6'2, 241, 4.61-40, SR]

Bell played all over the place in college and is a natural pass catcher. He has good acceleration off the line and good contact balance to pick up yards after contact. However, he's an inconsistent blocker and can struggle to separate from defenders. His lack of special teams experience hurts as well as his tight hips and tendency to forecast where he's going running routes. He finished his college career with 95 receptions for 1,260 yards and nine touchdowns. He had a formal interview with the Bucs at the Combine.

Brevyn Spann-Ford, Minnesota [6'6, 260, 4.77-40, 6SR]

Despite his size, Spann-Ford plays more like a move tight end on the field. He's a mismatch in the slot and can find the open space in zone coverages with good acceleration through his routes. He has a wide catch radius and accurately tracks the ball in the air. However, he struggled with drops his final season, can get erased in man coverage, and needs more consistency as a blocker, especially sustaining, though he's more than willing. He finished his collegiate career with 95 receptions for 1,061 yards and seven scores. He had an informal interview with the Bucs at the Combine.

David Culp, Washington [6'3, 231, 4.47-40, 6SR]

If the Bucs are looking for more of a move tight end, Culp fits the bill. More of a big receiver, he has excellent speed and the ability to elevate to make contested catches. He runs sharp routes with crisp cuts and gets consistent separation from defenders. Though his blocking improved, he'll have trouble holding up in line, will be a 24-year-old rookie and had some bad drops throughout his career. He finished his time with the Huskies with modest production tallying 66 receptions for 711 yards and four touchdowns. He had a formal interview with the Bucs at the Combine.

Best Fit Rounds 1-2

Ja'Tavion Sanders

It's unlikely the Bucs draft a tight end this high in the draft with so many other needs but Sanders would bring a different element to their offense. With two "Y" tight ends and a blocking specialist on the roster already, if they are looking for a talented move tight end, Sanders fits the bill. Though with a move towards more three wide receiver sets it's hard to justify selecting this position this high in the draft.

Best Fit Rounds 3-4

Cade Stover

All the buzz is around Ben Sinnott, and for good reason. He's a talented prospect who can operate as a move tight end lining up anywhere on the field. Yet he struggles as a blocker and if the Bucs are adamant about improving the running game, going with someone like Stover who is a capable receiver and blocker makes more sense.

Best Fits Rounds 5-7

Tip Reiman

Reiman is a high-upside player who can develop into a plus blocker and receiver. He has the skills at hand to make the Bucs roster and push the current tight end room with a chance to develop into much more. He has a rare size and speed combination that would make him an intriguing candidate on day three.

Check out our previous position breakdowns below:

Quarterback

Running Back

Wide Receiver

You can follow JC Allen on Twitter @JCAllenNFL.

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