The Buccaneers head to New Orleans with a depleted wide receiver room.
Last week, Mike Evans went down with a broken collarbone and is expected to be out for most of the rest of the NFL season.
Chris Godwin Jr., who is dealing with a fibula injury as he eases back from a dislocated ankle, will also be out for Tampa Bay Week 8 contest.
While it’s bad news for the Bucs, the Evans and Godwin absences are a good opportunity for those betting on tight end Cade Otton.
Otton has been a favorite of quarterback Baker Mayfield when the pass of star pass catchers have been out over the last two seasons.
In four games with Evans and Godwin sidelined since the beginning of the 2024 season, Otton is averaging 61 receiving yards and 6.75 catches per game on 8.75 targets per game.
Emeka Egbuka is expected to play, but he didn’t quite look like himself during the Bucs’ loss to the Lions last week, hauling just four passes on 12 targets.
Otton led the way in that game, making seven catches for 65 yards through the air.
Despite plenty of pass opportunities opening up for Otton, oddsmakers aren’t expecting that strong of a game for the former Washington Huskie.
FanDuel Sportsbook is pegging his receiving yard over/under at 39.5 and reception over/under at 4.5.
Betting on the NFL?
With few other options to throw to, Mayfield should feed his safety valve, setting up Otton for a big day on National Tight End’s day.
The play: Cade Otton to have more than 39.5 receiving yards (-110, FanDuel) and more than 4.5 catches (+115, FanDuel)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Dylan Svoboda is a versatile writer and analyst across many sports. He’s particularly knowledgeable about the big three — MLB, the NFL and the NBA.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
