The Pewter Plank
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Buccaneers 2018 Off-Season Position Preview: Tight End

By David Harrison

ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 22: O.J. Howard #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball during the second quarter of an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on October 22, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 22: O.J. Howard #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball during the second quarter of an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on October 22, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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GREEN BAY, WI – DECEMBER 03: Cameron Brate #84 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the second half at Lambeau Field on December 3, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI – DECEMBER 03: Cameron Brate #84 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the second half at Lambeau Field on December 3, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Potential Free-Agent Targets

Howard wasn’t the leading tight end for the Buccaneers, but he’s going to be the main guy sooner or later. Likely sooner.

While Auclair and Cross are talented depth pieces, there’s nothing preventing the team from bringing in some additional talent to play behind Howard as he gradually becomes the legitimate number one tight end.

Let’s take a look at the free-agent options the Buccaneers may consider for 2018.

Cameron Brate

Previous Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The second of two very important restricted free-agent decisions. The question here really is how high do the Bucs need to tender Brate to keep him in Tampa for at least one more year?

Looking at Spotrac’s evaluation of him, he lines up well against fellow tight ends like Charles Clay, Kyle Rudolph and Coby Fleener.

Those are certainly names who could find jobs on the open market, and Brate might have the highest ceiling of them all.

Signing Brate to a multi-year contract may be too high of an investment to make in the tight end position. Especially considering the future deals this team will need to make.

One year under a restricted tender however, is more than reasonable. I’d expect a second-round tender for Brate.

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Luke Willson

Previous Team: Seattle Seahawks

Not quite the Seahawks player most Buccaneers fans are hoping to add. Willson could bring some production to the table should the team somehow let Brate get away from them.

In sixteen games last season, the 28-year old tight end brought in fifteen catches for 153-yards and four touchdowns.

Backing up Jimmy Graham is still a tall task, even if Graham hasn’t been the same since leaving New Orleans.

His production and ability would certainly make him a solid back-up to Howard while Brate looks to continue his own production elsewhere.

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