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Buccaneers at Bills: Five game-changing players for Week 7

By Bailey Adams

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 15: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks at his play card during the first half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Buccaneers 38-33. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 15: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks at his play card during the first half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Buccaneers 38-33. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 1: Tight end Cameron Brate #84 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates in the end zone after hauling in a 14-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jameis Winston during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the New York Giants on October 1, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 1: Tight end Cameron Brate #84 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates in the end zone after hauling in a 14-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jameis Winston during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the New York Giants on October 1, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

Cameron Brate

As great as Mike Evans is, Cameron Brate may be just as important to the success of the Buccaneer offense. The Harvard man is a consistent force for Tampa Bay, one that is making him one of the most reliable tight ends in the NFL. He has touchdowns in four straight games, which is a Buccaneer record for tight ends. While O.J. Howard continues to ease his way into things, Brate is the go-to tight end for the Bucs. His presence in the red zone is big for the success of the unit as a whole.

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Assuming Jameis Winston suits up, Brate will be involved considering the established connection between the two. If for some reason Winston sits out, Brate will still provide Ryan Fitzpatrick with a reliable target in big situations. He is legitimately the second-best option for Tampa Bay on third downs and in the red zone. Buffalo is sound defensively against tight ends, but that shouldn’t stop Brate from making his presence felt in Sunday’s game.

Somehow, it feels like No. 84 still gets overlooked in game planning. There’s tons of focus on Evans, but now DeSean Jackson and O.J. Howard are in town to keep other teams honest. It feels like everyone is still waiting for the Bucs high-powered offense to truly arrive. What better time than this Sunday in Buffalo to pull the team back to .500? If that’s going to happen, Brate needs to play a big part in it.

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