Rob Gronkowski and the top five tight ends in Buccaneers history

Number four Buccaneers tight end: Cameron Brate (2014-Present)

Time for some more zany tight end facts you may not have known about the Buccaneers. Did you know that Cameron Brate is one touchdown away from tying Jimmie Giles for the most in franchise history at tight end?

Should Brate catch his 34th career touchdown, not only would it tie Giles as we said, but it would also place the two tight ends in a tie for second-most receiving touchdowns in Buccaneers history behind only Mike Evans. Think about that for a second.

Sure, longevity may play a big part in those numbers (his 2,683 yards on 253 catches is good enough for the 17th most in franchise history just above the aforementioned Hall), but that’s painting this picture with too broad of a brush.

Brate’s best ability has been his availability, and if that’s truly the best ability a player can have as these streets would make you believe, then the ol’ reliable Ivy Leaguer should absolutely be considered one of the greatest tight ends the Buccaneers have ever had.

Despite the numbers though, it’s hard to rank Brate any higher on this list considering that he was never really considered “the guy” as it pertains to being the starting tight end except for a season or two. When it comes to these kinds of lists, sometimes it’s necessary to nitpick, and that’s just what we’re going to have to do here.

This writer has always been a HUGE fan of Brate, so this is as hard on yours truly as anyone. That said, with Gronk now retired, then Brate can easily skyrocket up the rankings with a strong season, which he is more than capable of.