As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prepare for the 2026 season, tight end Devin Culp is positioning himself to step into a more prominent role amid uncertainty surrounding Cade Otton‘s future with the team. With limited upgrades available in free agency and a weak draft class at the tight end position, the Bucs may rely on Culp’s development to fill critical offensive gaps.
Selected in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Culp is entering his third season with a determined mindset to move beyond a special teams role and earn the trust of quarterback Baker Mayfield and the offensive coaching staff. His growing presence could prove vital as the Bucs look to maintain their offensive efficiency and flexibility.
Devin Culp Understands the Value of Consistency as a Receiving Threat
Despite being a late-round pick, Devin Culp possesses notable athletic potential, highlighted by a 4.47-second 40-yard dash, an impressive speed for a tight end of his size. Yet, his early career has seen limited offensive opportunities behind Cade Otton, who has been a reliable and durable presence on the field. Injuries to Otton provided Culp with brief moments to showcase his ability, including an impactful stretch at the conclusion of the 2024 season where he averaged 17.6 yards per catch over five receptions totaling 88 yards.
Culp has appeared in 18 games over two seasons, largely contributing on special teams, but he remains patient and focused on seizing any opportunity given. Reflecting on his first NFL touchdown, he shared,
“At the end of the day, I’m very blessed and grateful to be in the position that I am, and I got a lot of talented guys around me. That just kind of comes with the territory. You can’t get too in your feelings about things. When your moments come, you just got to make sure you seize them and make the best of them, because you never know when your number is going to be called, like that night against Atlanta.”
?Devin Culp, Buccaneers Tight End
When Otton was sidelined during the 2025 season, Culp managed a single catch for six yards but did not waver in his readiness or enthusiasm. He added,
“I had no idea. Obviously, Cade was out, so I knew I was going to have some opportunities there to do some things, but not in a million years would I have ever thought when I was 10 years old that I’d be scoring a touchdown. So, it’s just kind of small things like that. You just got to stay ready, so you don’t got to get ready, you know?”
?Devin Culp, Buccaneers Tight End
In limited chances, Culp has demonstrated a rare vertical threat ability among the Bucs’ tight ends, positioning himself as a player capable of stretching the defense in the passing game. His role has drawn comparisons to tight end Kyle Pitts, who served as a versatile and dynamic offensive weapon under Zac Robinson’s coordination in Atlanta, suggesting what Culp might offer Tampa Bay as they seek new playmaking options.
Focusing on reliability, Culp reflected on his goals heading into the upcoming season:
“I feel like, going forward, it’s just going to be important to [be] as reliable as possible. That was the number one thing for me coming into the season. Be reliable. Be there for your guys, whatever they need from you, just make sure you’re there and able to do it.”
?Devin Culp, Buccaneers Tight End
Culp’s Commitment to Development Points Toward a Larger Offensive Role
Thriving as an NFL tight end demands more than pass-catching skills; it requires versatility and effectiveness in blocking assignments. Cade Otton exemplifies this as a sound all-around tight end, excelling not only in receiving but also in crucial blocking duties. Devin Culp recognizes that to fill a similar role and capitalize on potential opportunities—especially if Otton departs via free agency—he must evolve beyond his current strengths.
One known area for improvement has been Culp’s effectiveness as a blocker, an aspect the tight end is addressing to become a more complete and valuable asset. Culp expressed excitement about the prospect of a greater role in 2026 and emphasized his growth trajectory:
“I’m still young in this, coming up on year three, so I know that the ceiling that I can hit has not even been close to being tested. So, I just want to continue to grow, continue to get better. Bigger, faster, stronger, all those good things going into the next season.”
He highlighted the quality of the team environment as a motivating factor, saying,
“You know, there’s so much talent around us, how could you not be excited about the team like that? You know what I mean, a lot of a lot of good human beings, most importantly. If everyone just comes with the right attention to detail and right attitude, you can make anything happen.”
?Devin Culp, Buccaneers Tight End
With only Payne Durham alongside him under contract at the tight end position in 2026, Culp is well positioned to increase his playing time substantially. Durham has also seen limited offensive production, primarily filling a blocking role, which further opens the door for Culp’s expanded involvement.
On his offseason training goals, Culp shared,
“The goal is always to get bigger and stronger. The speed is just part of who I am. I don’t think the speed is ever going to leave me, but just for sure want to get stronger… just become as powerful as I can. I’m trying to become a four-down guy. So, it’s like being able to run block more. Just have that physicality and our mindset. To me, that’s my biggest goal is just to get stronger.”
?Devin Culp, Buccaneers Tight End
This approach underscores his ambition to contribute consistently in all phases of the game, aiming to solidify himself as a reliable starter who influences the offense’s execution positively.
Execution Challenges and the Road Ahead for the Bucs’ Offense
Devin Culp understands that improving execution will be essential for the Buccaneers’ offense to thrive. He admitted the 2025 season was hampered by a lack of consistency on the field, caused by a range of factors including penalties and refereeing, which he described as, “a mess.”
“No matter what the call is, you’re supposed to make it happen. I just think that there were a lot of moments where there was a lack of execution [last season]. Things sometimes are out of your control, referees, things like that… At the end of the day, it was just a mess. We didn’t execute.”
?Devin Culp, Buccaneers Tight End
As the Bucs prepare to navigate the 2026 season, Culp’s role will be a telling indicator of the organization’s confidence in him as a foundational piece. Should Otton depart in free agency, Culp could become a central figure in the receiving corps and blocking attack, potentially transforming the team’s offensive dynamics.
His advancement will also reflect the staff’s commitment to developing in-house talent to address positional needs without costly external moves. With Devin Culp’s growth on the rise, Tampa Bay’s offense could gain a versatile weapon ready to challenge defenses and provide quarterback Baker Mayfield with a dependable target.
FIRE THE CANNONS 💣💥
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— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 12, 2025
