Tight Ends/H-Backs:Austin Seferian-Jenkins since being drafted in the second round (38th Overall) of the 2014 NFL, by the Buccaneers, he has been beset by injuries. He has shown glimpses of becoming a reliable receiving tight end, when healthy. Of course a player’s best ability is there availability. Starting 12 of 16 games he has been available for Seferian-Jenkins has amassed 42 receptions for 559 yards and 6 touchdowns. As a receiver, Seferian-Jenkins has a good catch radius, adjusts well to the football, is capable of making the circus catch and gaining yards after the catch,. He needs to do a better job of looking the ball in and securing the football before turning to run. While Seferian-Jenkins gives a good effort, he still has a lot of work to do to improve as a blocker.Forced into service due to injuries to other players, Cameron Brate was a pleasant surprise in 2015. He played in 14 games with four starts, and finished the season with 23 catches for 288 yards and three touchdowns. Brate was released during final cuts before the 2015 season opener and signed with the New Orleans Saints, after being waived by the Saints the Bucs reclaimed Brate. Brate originally entered the NFL with the Bucs in 2014, as an undrafted college free agent. He spent the first 12 weeks of the 2014 season on the Bucs practice squad before being promoted to the Bucs active roster on November 25, 2014. Brate made his NFL debut versus the Cincinnati Bengals on November 30 2014, starting at tight end and recording a 17-yard reception. Brate is an adequate height, weight and speed player for the position. He catches the ball well and can gain yards after the catch. Brate needs to improve as a blocker.Luke Stocker is the longest tendered tight end on the roster. Since the Bucs traded two fourth round picks to move up in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL draft to select Stocker with the 104th overall selection, out of the University of Tennessee. Stocker is the third highest drafted tight end in Volunteer history. Stocker has started 32 of 59 games since entering the NFL. He has accrued 44 receptions for 359 yards and two touchdowns. An extremely well-built player who lacks foot speed to be a receiving tight end, Stocker is best suited for an H-Back-type role. He is adept as an inline blocker and shows solid technique and ability to change the LOS as a blocker. Brandon Myers was signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Buccaneers on March 12, 2014 from the New York Giants. Entered the NFL as a sixth-round pick (202nf Overall) of the Oakland Raiders in the 2009 NFL Draft. He has started 12 of 25 games for the Bucs, since signing. Myers has amassed 34 receptions for 317 yards and zero touchdowns, during his two seasons with the team. During his seven NFL seasons Myers has 192 receptions for 1,895 yards and eight touchdowns. He has played for the Raiders, New York Giants and Bucs. He made his Buccaneer debut versus the Carolina Panthers on September 7, 2014, leading the team with six receptions for 41-yards. Myers has a good frame and bulk. Myers has decent speed and catches the football well. However he is not much of a blocker.Danny Vitale drafted by the Buccaneers in the sixth-round (197th Overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft. Vitale was listed as a FB during his collegiate career at Northwestern. Vitale amassed 135 receptions for 1427 yards and 11 touchdowns, in 49 games. Vitale is not your classic FB. More of a move mismatch hybrid player that runs superb routes and shows solid hands as a receiver. Had four 100-yards receiving games and caught at least one pass in in 37 straight games. Vitale is an effective lead blocker that lands his strikes inside the framework of defenders. He is a hardnosed throwback player that enjoys contact. Tevin Westbrook was signed by the Buccaneers to the practice squad on September 30, 2015. Westbrook entered the NFL with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted rookie free agent following the 2015 NFL Draft. He played collegiately for the University of Florida. Westbrook started his college career as a strong side defensive end for the Gators, switched positions to tight end at the beginning of his sophomore campaign and tallied 11 catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns in his final three seasons as a Gator. The Bucs promoted Westbrook to the active roster on December 29, 2015. Kivon Cartwright was signed to the Buccaneers 90-man off-season roster following the 2016 NFL Draft as an undrafted rookie free agent. Cartwright played collegiately for Colorado State. During his five seasons with the Rams, Cartwright accrued 75 receptions for 1,136 yards and 11 touchdowns. Cartwright missed the 2014 season and was granted a redshirt – due to an injury. Cartwright is an angular player with long arms and natural hands as a receiver. He can stretch the field vertically and displays a decent catch radius. Cartwright is a dependable blocker in the run game, but needs to refine his technique and hand placement. The Buccaneers signed Alan Cross to the team’s 90-man off-season roster following the 2016 NFL Draft as an undrafted rookie free agent. Cross is hybrid player in a similar mold to that of Dan Vitale. Cross played collegiately for the Memphis Tigers. Cross appeared in 49 games for the Tigers amassing 90 receptions for 1,050 yards and 14 touchdowns. Cross is tough as nails type, Cross had at least one reception in 41 straight games. Cross adds an added dimension as a lead blocker. He has a good feel for where a RB will cut. Cross is the career leader for the Tigers in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns at the tight end position. He was originally a walk on, as a long snapper.
