The Pewter Plank
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The tight end depth chart

By Rob Leeds

ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 22: O.J. Howard #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scores a touchdown during the fourth 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 scores a touchdown during the fourth 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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STARKVILLE, MS – OCTOBER 06: Nick Fitzgerald #7 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs leaps to score a touchdown during the second half against the Auburn Tigers at Davis Wade Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
STARKVILLE, MS – OCTOBER 06: Nick Fitzgerald #7 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs leaps to score a touchdown during the second half against the Auburn Tigers at Davis Wade Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Looking beyond Brate and Howard

Howard and Brate are the clear one and two tight ends and Antony Auclair who has a very different skillset follows them. Auclair is almost solely a blocking tight end.

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While not as dangerous to a defense as a receiving end, Auclair plays an important role for the offense as a blocker. Auclair would likely see the field in three tight end sets or in a running set as he would be well behind Brate and Howard in a receiving sense.

After Auclair the group becomes a little looser due to the fact that if the players are still on the team come September they will likely play more special teams than tight end. This group is made up of Jordan Leggett and Donnie Ernsberger.

The role of these players is a tossup as the positions ate so clearly set but Leggett could move to the third spot as he was a hot commodity as a free agent. If Brate was to be traded this offseason look for Leggett to take over his spot.

The last question mark for the tight end position is Nick Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald was signed as a quarterback with the intention of being a Swiss army knife on all sides of the ball.

Since the start of camp Fitzgerald has been seen taking reps at tight end and could be an interesting addition due to his size, speed, and versatility on the field. Fitzgerald could likely bring more to the table than the bottom tight ends and could do far more as a player at other positions too.

Next. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Breaking down the offensive line. dark

As a whole the Buccaneers have a very talented group of tight ends. This depth will play an important role in the Bucs offensive success under Bruce Arians. Jameis Winston having receivers and blockers from this group will help in a vital year for his career.

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