Entering the 2026 offseason, one of the biggest question marks for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was at tight end. Many believed that Jason Licht would have addressed the position early in the draft, but with Rueben Bain's slide, everything changed.
In 2024, the Buccaneers drafted Devin Culp in the 7th-round. In his first two NFL seasons, Culp has only six receptions. As he enters year three, his roster spot is far from a guarantee. In fact, Culp could be one of the first Buccaneers players released.
Culp and the other fringe players at the position will be competing for what could be three, maybe four spots. Cade Otton gets one of them.
Devin Culp faces a brutal uphill battle to earn a third season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Licht didn't use a first- or second-round pick on a tight end, but he did add both Ko Kieft and Bauer Sharp in round six. While they may not be locks to make the team, it's hard to see either of them losing their spot to Culp.
Making things worse for Culp is that Payne Durham is healthy and returning. He will enter his fourth season with the team. Tampa lacks quality veteran leadership at the position, sans Otton. That gives Durham an advantage.
The biggest challenge for Culp is that he isn't very good as a blocker; the others are better, and that too gives them an advantage.
The best Culp could hope for is either a fantastic camp that proves his value to the team or a practice squad spot. The latter seems more likely at this point.
Tight end is a position that isn't complete. Licht could look at the post-camp cuts to find a veteran, but even if he sticks with guys on the current roster, it's likely that the position will be addressed next offseason in free agency or the draft.
The TE room is one of the weakest units, if not the absolute weakest, on the team. There isn't a lot of experience outside of Otton, and if he gets hurt again, there could be problems, especially in the run game.
This is where the blocking ability of Kieft and Sharp make them more valuable than Culp.
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