Buccaneers rankings: How the receivers stack up in the NFC South

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Dec 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) runs after catch in the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Tight Ends

Tight ends can be a quarterback’s best friend and the Bucs’ guy under center is no different. Those who can block and catch are the best, and will find themselves getting a large chunk of snaps each week.

I think we all know who the best tight end in the division is currently, but how do the rest stack up?

4. Austin Hooper, Atlanta Falcons

I’ve got high hopes for Hooper, just not when he’s facing the Bucs.

There seems to be some talent there, but with such a small sample size it’s hard to get too excited.

Atlanta’s offense hasn’t really featured their tight end since the great Tony Gonzalez called is a career.

In 2016, Hooper brought in 19 catches for 271 yards and 3 TDs. Good effort and not bad considering all the weapons on his offense.

Still, until the team leans on him as a regular contributor, he’ll stay down here for a while.

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3. Coby Fleener, New Orleans Saints

Shipping Jimmy Graham to the Seahawks was supposed to bolster the Saints offensive line. To this point, all it’s done was simplify their offense a bit.

Bottom line is this team doesn’t have a strong tight end presence and this means more focus on wide receivers.

Still, Fleener had 50 catches and 631 yards in his first year with Brees and company.

Not career highs, but about on par with his career output to this point.

It’s important to remember though, his career output is what led the Colts to keeping Dwayne Allen instead of Fleener.

I’m not suggesting New Orleans move on just yet, but if Ginn can’t draw some attention away from Thomas on the outside, Fleener will have to do better.

This player got most of his stats in one or two game bursts. He’ll need to find more consistency to become a favorite of his quarterback.

2. Cameron Brate, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Harvard educated Bucs tight end burst onto the scene in 2016 after leaving Tampa for a short stint with the Saints.

I’m sure New Orleans is wishing they could’ve predicted what he’d do last season, but alas, their misfortune is our good luck.

Brate brought in 57 catches for 660 yards, but it was the eight touchdowns which really impressed.

After unseating former Bucs tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins for the starting job entering camp, ASJ’s DUI cemented Brate’s status for good.

His progress might be hampered a bit by the arrival of the rookie out of Alabama, but it could also be helped by the arrival of Jackson on the outside.

It’s going to be fun to see where Brate lands after the 2017 season, and with Carolina’s stud getting one year older, it may be time for a Bucs tight end to take over the top spot.

1. Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers

Speaking of the 32-year-old Panthers star, Greg Olsen has been tormenting the Bucs and the rest of the division for six years now and is coming back for sevenths.

80 catches and 1,073 yards last season marks his second-best season with the team despite his climbing age and the struggles of his team overall.

I don’t want to blow anyone’s fantasy football plans away; but you should draft this guy if given the chance.

Newton will certainly be leaning on him as the feature piece of their passing game once again, and with three straight 1,000 yard seasons, how can you blame him?

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Ok, so this was an obvious conclusion. Olsen is clearly the best tight end in the NFC South, but will he be for long?

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