Who is Cameron Brate?

Jaron Foster

brate

With both Vincent Jackson and Austin Seferian-Jenkins missing significant time over the last few weeks, the Buccaneers’ receiving corps has been extremely thin. Fourteen different receivers have caught passes in Tampa Bay through week 12. Among them are four tight ends, with Cameron Brate leading the group in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. The second-year undrafted free agent still has yet to gain traction in many fantasy leagues, leaving savvy owners wondering if he’s worth a pickup.

Brate attended Harvard, starting all 28 games in which he played between 2011 and 2013. As a sophomore in 2011, he caught 25 passes for 386 yards and seven touchdowns (tying with teammate and current Baltimore Raven Kyle Juszcyzk for the most among Ivy League tight ends) and followed that up with 41 receptions for 592 yards and six touchdowns in 2012.

Despite a regression statically to 25 receptions for 403 yards and five touchdowns, All-Ivy League and All-America nominations poured in following Brate’s senior season. He finished his collegiate career fourth in school history with 18 touchdown receptions, ninth with 1,381 receiving yards and 12th with 91 receptions.

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At his Pro Day in March 2014, Brate posted strong measurables that would have placed him in the top ten among tight ends at the NFL Combine in nearly every category. His 4.77-second 40-yard dash would have tied him for seventh, and a 33.5-inch vertical leap and 7.16-second 3-cone drill would have placed him fourth at the position.

Despite his production and Pro Day performance, Brate slipped through the 2014 NFL Draft without being selected. He signed as a free agent with Tampa Bay shortly thereafter.

Following the 2014 preseason, Brate spent the first twelve weeks of the season on the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster. He caught one pass for 17 yards in the four games in which he was active. He remained with the Buccaneers until he was released following week two of the 2015 season. He immediately joined the Saints’ practice squad, but returned to Tampa Bay only a week later as a result of the injury to Seferian-Jenkins.

The Buccaneers’ coaching staff was clearly relieved to have Brate back in the fold. Offensive Coordinator Dirk Koetter said “Cam is a guy that we almost let slip away there. We really saw the potential in Cam. He can run a little bit, he has good ball skills, he’s getting confidence in himself and he’s improving every week, which is all you can ask from any player.’’

Also, as evidenced by the school he attended, Brate is very intelligent and picked up the offense very quickly. His quick understanding of the playbook has aided his development as both a tight end and fullback.

The downside to coming from the Ivy League is the level of competition Brate has faced in comparison to the NFL level. Although he is 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, Brate has limited experience as a blocker and needs a great deal of improvement in this area. Also, despite a strong Pro Day, there was question as to whether he would be able to out-muscle smaller defenders and gain separation against linebackers.

Once back in the Buccaneers’ organization, Brate joined the active roster. His role was very limited, however, as he caught only two passes for 13 yards in Tampa Bay’s next four games.

Week eight was the turning point for Brate’s use in the offense. With Seferian-Jenkins’ return continuing to be pushed back every week, the Buccaneers lost Jackson to a multi-week injury and were severely depleted at receiver. In stepped Brate, who caught two passes for 48 yards and a touchdown. He was infrequently targeted the following two weeks before breaking out with eight receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns in weeks 11 and 12.

Though Jackson returned in week 12, Brate remains the top option at tight end and is improving his connection with Jameis Winston. Luke Stocker is technically the number one tight end on the depth chart, but is used almost exclusively as a blocker. Though many expected former Raider and Giant Brandon Myers to step in, he has been a non-factor on offense.

With the support of Winston and the coaching staff, Brate should continue to be a streaming tight end option as long as Seferian-Jenkins is out. If and when he returns, Brate is worth holding onto in deep or TE-premium leagues for this season.

Aside from the 24-year-old Brate, who is slated to hit free agency after this season, all of the aforementioned tight ends are signed through at least the 2016 season. Given how Brate has recently been integrated into the offense over Stocker and Myers, as well as Seferian-Jenkins’ inability to stay on the field to realize his potential as a target, it would be surprising if Brate does not receive a contract extension following the season.

Long-term, Brate could be an effective backup tight end for the Buccaneers. He doesn’t have the talent or skill set to be an every down starter, but he has shown the football IQ and receiving skills necessary to merit a few targets per game, particularly with those ahead of him on the depth chart sidelined.

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jaron foster
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