Cameron Brate

Brate shapes up as one of the more intriguing incumbent targets for new quarterback/future Hall of Famer Tom Brady. The addition of Brady's legendary battery mate Rob Gronkowski this offseason and the fact O.J. Howard remained on the roster following the draft seemingly dampen Brate's prospects. However, the veteran's reliable hands and knack for the end zone could render him a tailor-made favorite for a quarterback who boasts a long track record of success targeting tight ends. Brate has consistently been a red-zone force throughout his six-year career, crossing the goal line on 27 of his 195 catches over that span. Moreover, Brate has a 75.0 percent touchdown conversion rate on his red-zone touches over both of the last two seasons, so despite the uphill battle for targets in a loaded Buccaneers passing game, he could carve out a modest but consistent role if he earns Brady's trust.

As it turns out, there was an injury-related factor in Brate's generally lackluster 2018 numbers - the veteran played with a torn labrum in his hip the entire season. Brate parlayed 12 red-zone targets into six TDs, which matched his 2017 total. However, he saw significant downturns in receptions (30) and receiving yards (289) compared to the prior two seasons, and he averaged a career-low 5.9 YPT. While offseason surgery put him on the path to a clean bill of health for this season, it also resulted in him sitting out OTAs and June minicamp. Brate still slots in firmly behind O.J. Howard. While former coach Dirk Koetter displayed a willingness to deploy two-TE sets, new head man Bruce Arians traditionally has relied on formations with three or four WRs. The ceiling for Brate as Howard's backup appears relatively capped.

Brate has 14 touchdowns the last two years, third most at the position - and a silly number for someone targeted just 158 times in that period. Alas, Tampa Bay's other tight end, O.J. Howard, also had six touchdowns last season, and he did it on just 39 looks. Brate's combine measurables are underwhelming, but he reads coverages well and has a solid rapport with Jameis Winston. The anti-Brate crowd will say he's a touchdown-or-bust guy, and that's not unfair. Brate had five games with just one catch, and two other outings with two grabs. Howard's presence means Brate has probably shown his ceiling over the last two seasons, but touchdowns don't grow on trees, and the veteran has proven to be efficient with whatever opportunities he gets. He will face a challenge early in the year, likely playing with Ryan Fitzpatrick while Jameis Winston is suspended for the first three weeks.

While Austin Seferian-Jenkins was kicking his NFL opportunity, Brate stepped up nicely in his third season, tying for the TE league lead with eight touchdowns. Brate was really cooking in the latter part of the season, scoring six times in his final nine starts. As you'd expect, Brate is a red-zone scoring specialist; all of his touchdowns last year came from 12 yards and in, and he's never had a TD catch longer than 20 yards for his career. Brate would be considerably higher on our list if not for the NFL Draft; the Bucs tabbed Alabama TE O.J. Howard with the 19th overall pick in April. Howard's upside is considerably higher than Brate's in the long term, but tight end is a position with a steep learning curve, so don't be surprised if Brate keeps most of his 2016 breakthrough numbers.

Brate's performance last season was the proverbial silver lining in the dark cloud that was Austin Seferian-Jenkins' extended absence due to a shoulder injury. The Harvard product hauled in 23 of 30 targets for 288 yards, along with three touchdowns. He showed some proficiency in getting down the field as well, notching four receptions of over 20 yards, including a long catch of 46 yards. By the latter stages of the season, Brate had clearly surpassed veteran Brandon Myers on the depth chart, helping to render the veteran inactive over the last four regular-season contests. He enters 2016 as the clear-cut second-string pass-catching tight end behind Seferian-Jenkins, and could therefore build on last season's modest foundation.

Brate is not expected to play a significant role with the team this season.