Analysis: Godwin The Best
July 6th, 2020
NFL standard?
Yes, the Bucs have serious weapons to go get the ball. What quarterback wouldn’t want that?
And before the Bucs traded for future Hall of Fame tight end Rob Gronkowski, the Bucs had enough solid targets to lure park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring Tom Brady to Tampa Bay.
But in the mind of one observer, the key draw for Brady may have been what he believes is the best wide receiver in the game. And his name isn’t “Mike Evans.”
Trevor Sikkema of The Draft Network says Chris Godwin, not his teammate Evans, is the NFL’s best receiver.
It’s funny that we have to continue mentioning the fact that Godwin was drafted at pick No. 84 in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, but the reason we keep bringing it up is that every year, as Godwin ascends higher and higher amongst the ranks of NFL wide receivers, that statement gets more and more hard to believe.
[Last season] was Godwin’s first season as a true starter. In it, he recorded 1,333 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns off 86 catches. This also while not even playing a full 16-game season—a hamstring injury forced him to only play in 14 games.
Sikkema then began to compare Godwin’s first full season as a starter to other big-name receivers in the NFC South like Michael Thomas and Julio Jones.
Advantage, Godwin.
Sikkema then went flushing out advanced stats to demonstrate that Godwin is the league’s best. And let’s also remember that Godwin missed the final two games of the season with an injured hamstring.
Joe has to give Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians props here. Arians almost immediately saw Godwin tape and believed with his speed and physical play, that he could shine as a slot receiver. And Arians was dead-on correct.
It will be fun to watch how Brady uses Godwin, and the rest of the many Bucs targets.
July 6th, 2020 at 6:13 am
Also, don’t forget that Godwin missed the last 2 games of the season last year!
July 6th, 2020 at 7:13 am
Godwin is my favorite Buc!
July 6th, 2020 at 7:22 am
I absolutely love Godwin but the best is DeAndre Hopkins. There really is no debate on this.
July 6th, 2020 at 7:38 am
Why haven’t the Bucs re-signed him. He will have another great season with Bradey at Qb. The Bucs could re-sign Goodwin now around 13-14 million a year. Next year he will cost 18-20 million.
July 6th, 2020 at 7:41 am
Great character also…..I still would like to see a way to pay him now…..
July 6th, 2020 at 8:08 am
I’m sure he’s going to get paid.
I think ME13 is a strong candidate for a big trade if our other WRs show promise.
Would love to keep both but I don’t see how that would happen financially.
July 6th, 2020 at 8:42 am
Leighroy Says:
July 6th, 2020 at 6:13 am
Also, don’t forget that Godwin missed the last 2 games of the season last year!
Did you even read the article? Trev & Joe covered that.
DoooshLaRue Says:
July 6th, 2020 at 7:13 am
Godwin is my favorite Buc!
No one cares
Buc50 Says:
July 6th, 2020 at 7:22 am
I absolutely love Godwin but the best is DeAndre Hopkins. There really is no debate on this.
Wrong…there is plenty of debate. No concensus on that.
July 6th, 2020 at 8:54 am
Sign AB …instantly the teams best reciever!!!
July 6th, 2020 at 8:56 am
Wrong…there is plenty of debate. No concensus on that.
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LOL ok. Hopkins is on a streak of like over 200 catches with no drops. I mean some incredible catches in that run. Godwin is an incredible receiver but Hopkins is on a whole ‘nother level.
July 6th, 2020 at 9:11 am
Evans is still way better than Godwin
July 6th, 2020 at 9:11 am
Godwin is a Hines Ward Isaac Bruce hybrid. I still cannot believe he fell to the 3rd round. I don’t think even our most informed fans realize how potent our running attack is going to be because of finally having a decent RT and Gronk and of course Godwin. In 1 WR sets we can motion Godwin across the formation to block safeties or OLB and this will set up some potential big runs. RJIII is about to have a breakout season.
If you account for blocking CG is the best all around receiver. Most importantly he’s a great teammate and awesome human being.
July 6th, 2020 at 9:13 am
I think the salary cap not being decided on for 2021 is most likely why he has not had his contract extended.
July 6th, 2020 at 9:37 am
With all the options at TB12’s disposal, our offense should literally explode this year. The possibility of setting new NFL records is very strong provided we can play a complete season. (Damn the Rona!)
Godwins stats (and records) will just be one piece of the cake. How big of a piece? I can’t wait to see!
Keep Tom Standing!
July 6th, 2020 at 11:34 am
Oh, gee thanks Hank! Good looking out…. LOL
July 6th, 2020 at 12:10 pm
I kinda think Evan’s had a lot to do with it
July 6th, 2020 at 3:08 pm
Ocala
Agree. The NFL financial future is totally murky…nobody is certain yet how much pie there will be to divide in 2021…hence no deal for CG.
July 6th, 2020 at 3:41 pm
There are two or three candidates for number one it can be easily argued based on different things.
Certainly Evans and Godwin belong in the top ten. Both could be considered for the top five as well!
July 6th, 2020 at 3:54 pm
Man……some of you guys are seriously football challenged.
July 6th, 2020 at 4:27 pm
Someone must have p!ssed in Hank Reardon’s corn flakes this morning…
July 7th, 2020 at 4:38 pm
I like Sikkema and he puts out good stuff, but he is wrong on this one. Mike Evans is still the best receiver in football and it’s not even close. Tecmo Bowl numbers for Mike this year with a more accomplished quarterback throwing to him.
Godwin had a great first year as a starter, but I need to see more before I put him ahead of Mike. I’ll sure as hell take him over Julio (where’s the touchdowns dude?!?) and 100% over DeAndre freaking Hopkins. Despite Ira (still my favorite sports writer man) and others putting this far lesser talent on a pedestal, elite receivers do not get shut down by Carlton Davis in a “playoff type atmosphere”. He’s good but let’s be real folks.
Godwin isn’t near the force (no one since Randy Moss has been) Mike is down the sideline, but he is far better after the catch. Who knows? This time next year I may be calling Godwin the best, but be ain’t there yet.