Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tight end group ranked as a top-five unit

With potential that is out of this world, the tight end group of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has been ranked in the top-five of the league.

Christian D’Andrea of SB Nation recently took to the task of ranking all 32 tight end units in the entire NFL, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers group rounded out the top-five. O.J. Howard, Cameron Brate, Antony Auclair and company are a force to be reckoned with, and in Bruce Arians aerial attack, they should provide a ton of fireworks.

"“Howard is a mismatch creator who averaged nearly 12 yards per target last season and could be inching toward a true breakout in his third year in the league. Brate is still chasing his breakout 2016, but remains a valued red zone target after tallying 20 touchdowns the past three seasons” (D’Andrea via SB Nation)."

After the departure of Adam Humphries this offseason, Howard could see an increase of targets underneath and over the middle in addition to the threat he poses down the field. To this point, Howard’s biggest threat and enemy has been the injury bug, but if he stays healthy in 2019, then he truly could be looking a career year in the face as D’Andrea said.

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Brate remains valuable to the Buccaneers one way or the other, whether that is on the field or on the trade market. The reality is, the Buccaneers have liked what they see from Auclair and Brate is set to make $7 million this year from a team that has very little cap space to work with.

One of quarterback Jameis Winston’s favorite targets, Brate has been a reliable option for the Buccaneers over the past three seasons, and will see an increase in work this year too under Arians’ system if he remains with the Buccaneers. How the team handles Brate this offseason is something to keep an eye on.

The offense is loaded with weapons, and it is anchored by the tight end group. The talent of Howard, Brate, and company will only serve as a helping hand to Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Breshad Perriman and the rest of the receivers as well.

The continued development of Howard and the reliability of Brate will be key factors to the success of Winston and the offense in Tampa Bay this season. This top-five unit is, once again, up to the task placed on them.