2 TE's we could go after

Cameron Brate or Charles Clay.

For long term solutions to the TE issue, Brate is the guy to go after. He seems to have lost his starting job to OJ Howard, who offers more upside as a blocker and weapon in the passing game. Still, Brate is no slouch in either department although his pass-catching is more of an asset than his blocking. He did recently sign a 6 year 40 mil deal, with 18 mil guaranteed which seems pretty cap friendly.

If we're looking for a fill in the gap until the next draft player, I think Charles Clay could be had from Buffalo for short money as they look to get younger and rebuild through the draft. Clay certainly is on the downside of his career but he is extremely well rounded as both a pass catcher and blocker.

I feel like either one of these TE's would be a huge upgrade from where we are at and offer good short term or long term solutions, depending how much the front office wants to give up for the position right now.

Personally, I would go after Brate, a young, proven commodity who could be here for the next 5-7 years and eliminates the gamble of rolling the dice in the draft.

Brate has an interesting contract to me anyways.
This year base is fully guaranteed, and his 19 base is fully guaranteed for injury if/and if he is on the squad on the 5th day of the 2019 season.
Now, does Tampa get charged a portion of that 18m guaranteed as a dead cap if they trade him?
IE will it be a 18m cap hit if they trade him this year, or will it be only a 7m cap hit since his 2018 base was fully guaranteed?
OTC has multiple cut/trade options showing 0 dead cap past this year if they moved on from him.

Just not sure Tampa would be willing to trade him as long as they are winning.
2-0 with a Fitzpatrick playing lights out means they may want to keep depth/talent.

I liked Clay in Miami and it seemed he always burned them when they played Buffalo x2 times a year.
Think he played H-back as well.
Flashed good hands in Miami and could get downfield. Outside of playing miami two times a year I haven't followed him that much.

John813 said:

Brate has an interesting contract to me anyways.
This year base is fully guaranteed, and his 19 base is fully guaranteed for injury if/and if he is on the squad on the 5th day of the 2019 season.
Now, does Tampa get charged a portion of that 18m guaranteed as a dead cap if they trade him?
IE will it be a 18m cap hit if they trade him this year, or will it be only a 7m cap hit since his 2018 base was fully guaranteed?
OTC has multiple cut/trade options showing 0 dead cap past this year if they moved on from him.

Just not sure Tampa would be willing to trade him as long as they are winning.
2-0 with a Fitzpatrick playing lights out means they may want to keep depth/talent.

I liked Clay in Miami and it seemed he always burned them when they played Buffalo x2 times a year.
Think he played H-back as well.
Flashed good hands in Miami and could get downfield. Outside of playing miami two times a year I haven't followed him that much.

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You make a good point with Brate's contract. I'm no contract specialist so I'm really not sure how that would work, but I'm sure it would play a huge part in their willingness to trade him. From the looks of things they have pretty much phased him out of the offense in favor of OJ. Like you said though, having the luxury of depth probably makes less sense for them to try and trade him this year rather than next.

Clay is in a situation that likely is more favorable regarding a trade. The team is clearly rebuilding with no chance of competing this season for anything other than pride, and I'm sure they are not factoring him into their long term plans. I have always found that he is very underrated due to having played on some pretty bad teams his whole career.

nate dizzle said:

You make a good point with Brate's contract. I'm no contract specialist so I'm really not sure how that would work, but I'm sure it would play a huge part in their willingness to trade him. From the looks of things they have pretty much phased him out of the offense in favor of OJ. Like you said though, having the luxury of depth probably makes less sense for them to try and trade him this year rather than next.

Clay is in a situation that likely is more favorable regarding a trade. The team is clearly rebuilding with no chance of competing this season for anything other than pride, and I'm sure they are not factoring him into their long term plans. I have always found that he is very underrated due to having played on some pretty bad teams his whole career.

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Definitely agree about Clay.
Could be traded this year as they start their next rebuild with Allen.

Brate seems like an offseason move if he does fall out of favor in the offense. Just weird that they would sign him to a big deal then phase him out. they could of just kept him on a tender this year.

John813 said:

Definitely agree about Clay.
Could be traded this year as they start their next rebuild with Allen.

Brate seems like an offseason move if he does fall out of favor in the offense. Just weird that they would sign him to a big deal then phase him out. they could of just kept him on a tender this year.

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Yeah, I guess they maybe weren't sold on OJ? Not sure why, kid was a beast in college and had really started to show up last season. He's too big of a talent to hold down on the depth chart so this was pretty inevitable.