Cade Otton 2026 fantasy outlook and rest-of-season projection
- Age
- 27
- Height / weight
- 6'5", 247 lb
- Experience
- 5th season
- Drafted
- 2022 R4, #106
2026 Season
- PPR PPG
- 7.7
- Pos rank
- TE23
- Rostered
- 9%
Week 4 vs. Packers, Sun Oct 4, 1:00 PM ET 22nd vs. TEs, neutral
Cade Otton Rest-of-Season Outlook
Every-down TE2 worth a bench spot
Preseason Projection vs. Reality
He finished TE22 last season at 7.6 points per game.
Our Take After Week 4
Through 3 games he's TE23 at 7.7 PPR points per game, against 7.6 over 16 games last season (TE22). The role is producing the same fantasy output two years running.
Last season he ranked 3rd of 81 in route participation (89.2%), 14th of 82 in target share (15.0%) and 48th of 82 in efficiency (1.08 yards per route run). His points come from his route participation. Efficiency is the soft spot. Baker Mayfield is his quarterback.
The main risk is the job itself. He's the listed starter with Payne Durham next on the depth chart, and a benching or an injury would take his value to zero overnight.
The next favorable matchup is the Cowboys in Week 5 (8th against TEs).
Read our preseason outlook (June 2026)
Published June 17, 2026. Kept for reference; the take above replaces it.
Otton has quietly become a fixture in Tampa Bay's passing game, playing 93.5% of snaps and running a route on 89.2% of dropbacks in 2025. He drew 81 targets for a 15% target share, hauled in 59 balls, and dropped just one. The problem is the ceiling: only one touchdown despite six red-zone looks, a 5.17 air-yards-per-target figure, and 1.08 yards per route run. His EPA per play slipped from 0.144 in 2024 to 0.05, and his fantasy output cratered from 81.6 points to 63.2 as the scoring dried up.
There's a path back toward his 2024 form. With Mike Evans gone, vacated red-zone work could land on Otton, who tallied three scores across four games when Tampa's top wideouts missed time in 2024. But he's a high-floor, low-spike piece in a crowded room, finishing TE25 last season. Treat him as a streaming or bye-week answer, not a weekly starter.
What Drives His Outlook
His 2025 rank among the 81 tight ends who played at least six games. Each bar is one tight end, best on the left; his is highlighted.
Route participation
Target share
Efficiency
- Average depth of target
- 5.2
- Drop rate
- 1.2%
- Red-zone targets
- 6
- Route participation
- 89.2%
- YAC per reception
- 5.2
What Could Change His Value
Upside
- A soft spotThe Cowboys in Week 5 is a top-10 matchup for TEs.Wk 4 GB, 22ndWk 5 DAL, 8thWk 6 PIT, 23rdWk 7 CAR, 14th
- Every-down route participation89.2% route participation, 3rd of 81 TEs in 2025.
- Heavy target share15.0% target share, 14th of 82 TEs in 2025.
Risk
- Job securityPayne Durham is next on the depth chart; a benching or injury hands him the job.
- A tough matchupThe Steelers in Week 6 (23rd) is among the stingiest defenses against TEs.
All Cade Otton stats & analysis
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Cade Otton Fantasy Outlook FAQ
What is Cade Otton's fantasy outlook for the rest of the 2026 season?
Cade Otton projects as an every-down TE2 worth a bench spot for the rest of the 2026 season: a matchup play in TE-premium leagues, a bench stash in 12-team leagues and waiver-wire material in 10-team leagues. His route participation (89.2% route participation, 3rd of 81 TEs in 2025) supports that. His efficiency (1.08 yards per route run, 48th of 82 TEs in 2025) holds him back. See his live rank in Redraft Command.
What is Cade Otton's rest-of-season fantasy ranking?
Cade Otton is the TE23 in PPR points per game through Week 4. That puts him in TE2 territory, a bench stash in 12-team leagues.
What is Cade Otton's projected role going forward?
Cade Otton is the listed starting TE, with Payne Durham next on the depth chart. Nothing on the chart threatens the job, so the role is his to lose on performance.
Will Cade Otton get more targets?
Cade Otton's targets are holding steady: 6.0 a game over his last two games against 5.7 for the season. His share of the offense is what his fantasy value rides on.
What is Cade Otton's fantasy football upside?
Cade Otton's upside: his ceiling this season is 8.8 PPR points (Week 2, TE16), his route participation (89.2% route participation, 3rd of 81 TEs in 2025) gives him a weekly floor to build on and the Cowboys in Week 5 is a top-10 matchup for TEs.
What could hurt Cade Otton's fantasy value?
Cade Otton's risks: Payne Durham is next on the depth chart if he is benched or hurt, his efficiency (1.08 yards per route run, 48th of 82 TEs in 2025) limits his scoring and the Steelers in Week 6 is a tough matchup. See his injury status and history.
How difficult is Cade Otton's remaining fantasy schedule?
About average: of his next seven games, 2 come against a top-10 matchup for TEs and 2 against one of the stingiest defenses, by PPR points allowed to the position.