Buccaneers' Cameron Brate: Set to be red-zone weapon in coming season

Brate is expected to be a valuable red-zone weapon this coming season, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Analysis:

The Harvard product was one of last season's pleasant surprises, hauling in 23 of 30 targets for 288 yards and three touchdowns. Brate was a primary beneficiary of starter Austin Seferian-Jenkins' shoulder injury, as the latter's ailment prompted the Bucs to re-sign Brate from the Saints practice squad, where he'd landed after being released by Tampa shortly before the start of the regular season. His sure hands and routes rendered him an effective safety valve for Jameis Winston during the quarterback's rookie campaign. Brate even displayed some proficiency down the field, notching four receptions of over 20 yards, including a career-high 46-yard grab. His work in close quarters near the goal line also has his head coach excited, and Brate gave him more reason for optimism with a sliding, one-handed catch in the corner of the end zone during Thursday's final mini-camp session. "Cam has got an uncanny ability to show up in the red zone and we saw that again today,'' coach Dirk Koetter said.