Buccaneers: Five best tight ends in team history
By Bailey Adams
No. 2- Kellen Winslow Jr. (2009-2011)
At No. 2, we have someone who was traded to Tampa Bay for a 2009 second-round pick and 2010 fifth-round pick: Kellen Winslow Jr. That trade worked out for the Bucs, at least while the former Miami Hurricane was with them. His time in Tampa was short, but not because he lacked production. After his third season with the team, he was traded to Seattle.
But while he wore the red and pewter, he put up some big-time numbers, even carrying the offense at times. In each of his three seasons as a Buc, he led all receivers in receptions. In his first year, he set a Tampa Bay tight end record for receptions with 77 and receiving yards with 884. In 2010, the franchise’s most recent 10-win season, he once again led receivers in receptions with 66. He was second on the team in receiving yards (730) and receiving touchdowns (five). In his final year with the team, he caught 75 passes (first on the team) for 763 yards (second) and two scores (third).
His overall numbers have him among the best tight ends in franchise history, despite the fact that he only spent three years in the Bay. Winslow finished his Tampa Bay career with 218 catches (second among tight ends), 2,377 yards (second) and 12 touchdowns (third). Putting up those numbers in only three years was quite impressive. Along with the numbers, he impressed with his ability to help carry the offense at a time when Antonio Bryant and Mike Williams were pretty much the only other options. For all of that, he lands at No. 2 on this list.