NFL Draft Profile: Cade Otton, Tight End, Washington Huskies

NFL draft profile scouting report for Washington tight end, Cade Otton

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#87
Pos: WR
Ht: 6050
Wt: 247
Hands: 0948
Arms: 3268
Wingspan: 7948
DOB: 4/15/99
Eligible: 2022
Tumwater, WA
Tumwater High School

Cade Otton
Washington Huskies

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Pros: 

Dietz: Otton aligns as the starting in-line tight end for the Huskies, although he gets some sparse snaps out of the slot. Ideal size for a Very versatile skill set in the receiving game - extremely delicate and nuanced route runner who makes plays up the seam and across the middle on drag routes. Soft, yet firm hands - rarely see him drop a pass. Nice RAC skills as well - has the elusiveness to catch the ball out of the backfield and evade tacklers. Very sound blocking fundamentals - won’t be a detriment to a professional team whatsoever.

Lamattina: Strong hands through traffic over the middle of the field. Fairly refined route runner for a tight end to create some separation at the catch point. Also has a good release off the line to push into zone coverage. He isn’t afraid to take hits in the process of the catch or after the catch. Shows signs of being a quality blocker. Has the finisher mentality as a blocker. Solid speed when he gets down the field vertically. Anchor and lower body strength provided the platform for him as a blocker. Very smart player in understanding where he needs to be to get open. Blocks well in space.

Jensen: Otton is the next up in a fairly long line of UW TE who will play on sundays. Otton bulked up to 250 (240 last season) this offseason and at 6’5 now has a fairly prototypical frame for the position. Otton is a crafty route runner who likes to run right at defenders until breaking his stem right before there would be contact, clearing extra space and often making them turn their hips. Otton also knows how to tailor his routes to clear extra space when he’s not the first read. Arguably Otton’s best trait is his incredibly sure hands. Otton hauled in 18 of 20 targets in 2020 with zero drops and zero fumbles. He knows how to use his body to shield defenders and is excellent in tight windows or contested situations. He’s fairly competent as a blocker both in the pass and run game and gives some in-line potential at 250. Otton stands out for his incredibly high football IQ and always seems to be doing what he’s asked to, an underrated ability for a young TE. While UW didn’t put him in motion particularly often, some of his best routes came off of motion and he would do well in a system that utilizes this more. Otton did very well off of bump and run routes and sells his blocks really well before leaking. Was UW’s go-to option on important downs.

Cons: 

Dietz: Lacks elite physical traits - not a bad athlete by any stretch, but his lack of long speed and separation vertically will hurt him in some NFL offenses. Churning get-off when the play begins; eventually gets up to speed but won’t blow away defenders. Could add more strength to his core to be an even bigger force in the blocking game.

Lamattina: Needs to get stronger in his blocks to be more reliable in that part of his game. Grip and hand strength specifically let him down on certain plays. A below-average athlete who may find struggles with his blocking when he gets to dealing with bigger, stronger defensive lineman. Also doesn't necessarily scare defenders as a receiver.

Jensen: Not a particularly dynamic athlete. Crafty route runner, but you’ll never mistake him for a WR. At 240, lacked the explosiveness to be a people mover as a blocker. Otton struggled at times with finding the right angles as a blocker at the second level. YAC ability isn’t anything special. Lacks breakaway speed to beat angles and power to break tackles consistently. Otton is a bit of a tweener who is slightly undersized as a true in-line TE but not particularly dynamic as a true move TE. Otton’s special teams upside is limited by his athleticism.

Summary:

Dietz: While not possessing first-round caliber athleticism for a tight end, Otton is about as clean of a prospect at the position as you can get. He’s a fantastic route-runner, has strong hands, is used multiple ways, and is a capable and willing blocker. He put forth some excellent performances during Washington’s shortened 2020 campaign, and big things should be expected for Otton in 2021.

Lamattina: Cade Otton is a solid all-round tight end who can play all three downs without hesitation. He is a solid blocker who may need to add some more mass to his frame to be confident for his ability to translate to the next level. And although he doesn’t come off as a crazy athlete who can punish teams in the passing game, he does fill an important role as a safety valve type of target over the middle of the field who isn’t afraid of contact. Otton can be a preferred backup tight end in the league for many years to come.

Jensen: Otton is the kind of player who wins with nuance, IQ and sure-handedness. He’s always in the right place at the right time, doing what the coaches ask him to and makes the plays available to him. He’s not a specimen off of the bus, nor is he a dynamic athlete. This a player who will get every ounce of what you scheme for him and not much more. That said, he is very advanced from an IQ standpoint for a college TE and will ingratiate himself with coaches and have a shot to have a bigger role than typical at the position early on. He’s a true safety valve who will piss opposing fanbases off as he converts 3rd and five with a six yard catch.He projects best as a tweener TE who can play a bit of all three TE roles and is a high end TE2 early on; with a chance to turn into a TE1 towards the end of his rookie deal. Austin Hooper is what you’re hoping for here.

Background:

Hometown is Tumwater, Washington. Three-star recruit, including the 23rd ranked tight end in the country and the 8th overall player out of Washington, according to 247Sports. Named the 2016 Olympian newspaper’s Player of the Year. AP 2A State Player of the Year. Seattle Times All-State and Evergreen Conference 2A MVP. USA Today All-State team. Tacoma News-Tribune All-Area team. Set school records for receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Was named a “red-chip recruit” by the Seattle Times after his freshman season in 2015. Also played basketball in high school. Played his high school football for his grandfather, Sid Otton, the winningest coach in Washington state football history. 

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One-Liners

Dietz: Otton is not an incredible physical specimen, but when it comes to all-around great tight end play, he’s at the top of the food chain.

Lamattina: Cade Otton is a solid all-round player who can contribute as a blocker and receiver. He has the potential to at least be a preferred backup in the league throughout his career.

Jensen: Otton is the kind of TE who wins with nuance, consistency and polish but lacks true highlight reel abilities. Sum of his parts type of player who will maximize whatever he is schemed.

Grades

Current Player Value/Potential Player Value

Dietz: 7.9 / 8.5

Lamattina: 7.3 / 7.8

Jensen: 7.5 / 8.0

Latest News: 

NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Watch: With a very competent ability to block inline, align across the formation, catch the ball outside of his frame, and drive a defender into the dirt, Cade Otton is the modern tight end. With 63 receptions and eight touchdowns in his career entering his senior season, the 2020 John Mackey Award Semifinalist is very productive in the passing game where his advanced understanding of route running and subtle moves enable him to regularly separate from defenders. And at 6-5, 250 pounds, Otton possesses the frame to align at either ‘Y’ or ‘F’ in the NFL with the demeanor and quickness to latch and win as a blocker. (08/21/21)