Bucs' Biggest Remaining Roster Issue Named Before Training Camp

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are trying to move past last season's terrible collapse and return to the playoffs in 2026.

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Have they built a roster good enough for the postseason?

On paper, the Bucs look both talented and balanced. Even without Mike Evans, Tampa's wide receiver room looks like a team strength with Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin Jr. leading the way.

The Bucs also added running back Kenneth Gainwell in free agency to be backfield mates with Bucky Irving. If healthy, Tampa could have one of the most electric RB duos in the league.

Tampa also boasts potentially one of the best offensive lines in the NFL.

On defense, the Bucs loaded up their front seven in free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft, looking to regain the edge and nastiness the unit has lacked recently.

One spot the Bucs didn't address this past offseason was tight end. After a year in which Tampa had the NFL's least amount of production from their TEs, the only addition the team made was drafting Bauer Sharp in the sixth round.

That could be a problem.

In a league that is moving towards more multiple TE sets, you better have depth at the position or an elite option that can carry the rest of the group.

Tampa has neither, leading Matt Okada of NFL.com to name the position the Bucs' biggest roster issue heading into training camp.

Bucs Have Cade Otton And...Nothing Else

While many teams have two, or even three, tight ends who can impact a game, the Bucs only have Cade Otton and...nothing else. As Okada notes, almost all of Tampa's TE production came from Otton.

"The Bucs saw a lot of turnover on defense this offseason, but that side of the ball still looks effective on paper. So, once again, I’m eyeing the tight end room. The Buccaneers had the least productive tight end group in the NFL last season -- 61 receptions, 589 yards, two touchdowns -- with Cade Otton accounting for nearly all of those numbers. They only added a Day 3 pick at the position in the offseason, leaving Baker Mayfield’s tight end weaponry lacking an upgrade."

The lack of production behind Otton is almost unbelievable. The only other TEs to record any receiving stats were Devin Culp and Payne Durham, who combined for two catches and 17 yards.

Otton Is Good, But Not An Elite Option

Otton has proven to be a good TE, but he is not an elite option. He finished only 15th among NFL TEs in receiving yards in 2025, which is even less impressive considering he ceded almost no production to anyone else.

Otton is both dependable and consistent, but he is what he is. Surprisingly, the Bucs did not dedicate more resources to upgrading the position this offseason.

If injuries ravage the Bucs' receivers again in 2026 as they did in 2025, the team doesn't have a group of tight ends that can help pick up the slack.

Final Thoughts

The Bucs' tight end room is likely set for 2026, and it could be the offense's Achilles heel.

Unless Tampa finds a way to acquire a game-changer at the position, the team will have to depend on its RBs and WRs to do the heavy lifting all season.

Hopefully, the lack of an above-average, or even average, tight end group doesn't derail what could be a promising season.

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