The Buccaneers are heading to New Orleans with a depleted wide receiver room. Last week, Mike Evans suffered a broken collarbone and is expected to be out for most of the remainder of the NFL season. Additionally, Chris Godwin Jr., who is recovering from a dislocated ankle and dealing with a fibula injury, will also miss Tampa Bay’s Week 8 contest.
While this is certainly bad news for the Bucs, the absences of Evans and Godwin present a promising opportunity for those betting on tight end Cade Otton. Otton has been a favorite target of quarterback Baker Mayfield whenever the team’s star pass catchers have been sidelined over the past two seasons.
In the four games since the beginning of the 2024 season where Evans and Godwin were out, Otton has averaged 61 receiving yards, 6.75 catches per game, and 8.75 targets per game. This trend highlights his growing role in the offense when key receivers are unavailable.
Emeka Egbuka is expected to play in this upcoming game, but he didn’t quite look like himself during the Bucs’ loss to the Lions last week, catching only four passes on 12 targets. In contrast, Otton led the way by hauling in seven catches for 65 yards.
Despite Otton’s increase in targets and receptions, oddsmakers aren’t anticipating a huge game from the former Washington Huskie this week. FanDuel Sportsbook has set his receiving yards over/under at 39.5 yards and his receptions over/under at 4.5 catches.
With few other viable receiving options for Mayfield, it makes sense for him to rely heavily on his safety valve, Cade Otton. This dynamic sets up Otton for a potentially big day, especially on National Tight End’s Day.
**The Play:**
Cade Otton to have more than 39.5 receiving yards (-110, FanDuel) and more than 4.5 catches (+115, FanDuel)
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