Bucs Free Agent Receivers Still Shopping
March 19th, 2023
Several Bucs free agents are chasing a contract.
Tomorrow rings the bell on one week into free agency and the three Bucs free agent receivers are still looking for work.
They represent a statistical loss of 56 catches for 594 yards and 3 touchdowns from one of last season’s worst NFL offenses.
It’s almost hard to believe Julio Jones, Breshad Perriman and Scotty Miller combined for that much production last season, but it’s true.
In addition to Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Russell Gage at receiver, the Bucs currently have Kaylon Geiger on the roster (zero career catches) and Deven Thompkins, last year’s undrafted rookie who stands just 5-8 and had five receptions in very limited action.
So it’s safe to say the Bucs need more bodies at receiver.
Joe is sure Julio Jones will not return. And Perriman seems like a long shot as he’s about to turn 30. However, Joe could see Miller coming back on a veteran minimum contract.
While he’s never lived up to the hope and hype after a strong 2020 season, Miller still looks like a capable, fast and versatile No. 5 receiver who can play special teams. Again, as a No. 5, Joe sees value.
Yes, Joe assumes general manager Jason Licht will draft a receiver in the late rounds next month.
March 19th, 2023 at 12:51 pm
Julio is a beast and looks to still be somewhat in his prime, if I’m being completely honest. He should’ve wayyyy more targets and production last year. The Bucs suck and starting sucking as soon as BA stepped down.
March 19th, 2023 at 12:52 pm
Should’ve *had
March 19th, 2023 at 12:56 pm
IMHO, we need to say Bye Bye to Scotty Miller
March 19th, 2023 at 1:00 pm
None of them should be brought back.
March 19th, 2023 at 1:02 pm
Thompkins showed great burst and needs more reps-he is explosive.
March 19th, 2023 at 1:03 pm
Stay the course Jason Licht. No more old overpriced retreads. Get younger and faster. We have seen these 3 and and their occasional flashes don’t impress anymore.
March 19th, 2023 at 1:08 pm
Julio looked great for about a half against Dallas. He was in tremendous shape and looked as fast as he ever had. Sadly he couldn’t stay healthy as many predicted. Miller is a waste of a roster spot imo. Sure he’s fast, but not much of a reciever. They don’t trust him to return punts, so I say goodbye. As Joe said, they do need bodies. Hopefully Gage can rebound and stay healthy.
March 19th, 2023 at 1:19 pm
Rashad Higgins was one of Mayfields targets in Cleveland hes fast if he can stay healthy minimum contract kick the tires see if there is any air left.
March 19th, 2023 at 1:20 pm
What about bringing back Cyril Grayson. He isn’t the best but good depth and Brady liked him. I know Brady is gone by why not look at bringing him back in
March 19th, 2023 at 1:20 pm
I thought all three of them (and Thompkins) are worth keeping. They don’t have the advantage of knowing the system this year but they do know many of our players. Even Julio did better than I thought he would.
I do, however, trust Licht if he wants younger and new players as we build our team up. After what Bowles said about Darden (“he did nothing wrong”) I do not have any faith in him to evaluate any player. I REALLY like our team’s philosophy going forward this year. Also, now that LVD is on the roster there is no one else I feel we HAVE to return (except Gholston, a bit).
March 19th, 2023 at 1:22 pm
I think Scotty’s “jump for no reason” ball catching would have me moving on.
March 19th, 2023 at 1:26 pm
Julio hasn’t sniffed his prime in about 5 years. If he’s 100% completely healthy he can still be an effective receiver. Problem is that’s almost never the case. And he’s overpriced. Move on.
March 19th, 2023 at 1:28 pm
Julio Jones’ worst ability is his availability. He flashes for 2 plays then goes on the injury report for 2 games. Rinse dry repeat for a cool 10 million last year
March 19th, 2023 at 1:28 pm
Calm down Picasso. Julio looked pretty good but the old body can’t eat all those hits. I wouldn’t mind seeing him return but only on the cheap and Julio probably wants no part of that. All good. Still was a good signing by Licht.
March 19th, 2023 at 1:35 pm
Backup recievers need to play special teams and none of those three is worth a damn at playing special teams.
March 19th, 2023 at 1:39 pm
Miller can be a good special teamer and occasional contributor on offense. Maybe the new offensive staff can find a way to use him.
March 19th, 2023 at 1:43 pm
I never understood why we let go of Grayson. He was coming on, and starting to block like a beast. He was definitely catching the ball with his hands, and had come a long way from the helmet-clong play we all saw that would have been funny if not at a critical time in a game.
Unless he mouthed off to coaches or teammates, why not.
March 19th, 2023 at 1:52 pm
How many #4-#6 receivers have a real impact, season-long, outside of ST’s?
IMO, the real need is to up the quality of ST’s.
Maybe get a speedster as #4 in the draft.
March 19th, 2023 at 2:15 pm
Cobra, I agree they need to get much better on special teams. Even though the league is trying to marginalize the return game, imo you can still steal a game or two with great STs play. Why they never used a speedster like miller exclusively as a punt returner is confounding. Like i said, they probably didn’t trust him to hold onto the ball.
March 19th, 2023 at 2:22 pm
You’re also right about how much marginal recievers really contribute to an offense. Special teams players need to buy in and believe they are contributing to the overall goal. I played a ton of st in Jr. College. It made me a better overall teammate and player.
March 19th, 2023 at 2:24 pm
Scotty Miller simply didn’t improve in his 4 years……let him go……Julio….too old & expensive…..Perriman…..we can do better.
With 9 draft picks, I suspect at least one will be a WR…..there will be plenty of UDFA & FA WRs available.
With Thompkins, we have 4…..need 2 more.
March 19th, 2023 at 2:29 pm
The special teams will stay on the short bus until Keith Armstrong is fired along with Bloweszo after Toad’s 5th consecutive losing season as a head coach.
March 19th, 2023 at 2:44 pm
For those who don’t remember, Cyril Grayson was injured last year during the preseason and later released by the Bucs with an injury settlement. That’s why he’s no longer a Buc and not playing for any other team at the moment.
March 19th, 2023 at 2:47 pm
I have no issues with Scotty coming back to compete for a spot – as a #5 or #6 WR, he’s better than most teams deep depth, but that’s a very low bar. The other guy who you didn’t mention is Tyler Johnson, and I’d be fine with him in that slot too, however Miller is the better NFL player out of the two, not that either is particularly good. Johnson’s big issue is his lack of speed, at best he’s a 4.7 40 guy, and because of that he’s never going to be better than a #5. I mean he got cut by the Texans last year after they kept him around for a while, that should tell you something. Miller at least has speed, but he’s a tiny feller, with inconsistent hands. But with Miller, if he just gets with Mayfield and they figure out their timing, he can catch a few bombs.
Thompkins meanwhile makes Scotty look like a giant – he’s tiny, which means he’s basically worthless at WR. However he has the speed/quickness to be a great return man, where size doesn’t really matter. I hope they keep giving him reps there since I think he has a chance to be a top tier guy.
BTW, what happened with Darden? Arians last year said he was the most improved guy on the team, a few weeks before they cut him.
March 19th, 2023 at 2:51 pm
It doesn’t look like a deep year for WR’s in the draft. May have to sign at least one veteran. Scotty may be the best choice out there.
March 19th, 2023 at 2:59 pm
Can’t believe Perriman is almost 30! Makes me feel old. Time really flies…
March 19th, 2023 at 3:08 pm
Bring back Cyril Grayson! He was fast, worked hard, played special teams and was improving every year. And it seems like is a great and humble guy and a good teammate from his few interviews. Hopefully he has had some time to recover from injuries and is healthy. Bring him to camp to compete for a spot and see how he does.
March 19th, 2023 at 3:10 pm
Bring Miller back because he’s cheap and keep him in that gunner spot w/McCollum on punt team. I could see Licht waiting til day 3 to grab a developmental prospect, but between the contract dollars we’ve got tied up between Evans, Godwin, & Gage we’re pretty set for starters.
March 19th, 2023 at 3:12 pm
Bucs need speed at the position
March 19th, 2023 at 3:14 pm
If Dardin is available cheap and can be coached to not avoid all contact then consider giving him a shot to return though it is clear that he really is not a return man.
A healthy Cyril Grayson is/was much better though.
Devin Thompson and/ or newly signed RB Edwards look like they have some juice in the return game
March 19th, 2023 at 3:23 pm
DonnieWatch……..day 12.
March 19th, 2023 at 3:25 pm
I agree with the G-Men…Goatfarmer & Grudong…Grayson was a keeper and deserves another shot with The Bucs. Why not?
March 19th, 2023 at 3:28 pm
DoooshLaRue Says:
March 19th, 2023 at 3:23 pm
DonnieWatch……..day 12.
Dooosh…you completely deserve the opportunity to enjoy this cricketfest…he either has to make a mad push to get back on a NFL roster or call it good. Will he go the Donald Penn or Anthony Collins route? He was big in 2020…no taking that away from him.
March 19th, 2023 at 3:41 pm
This is why Jason Licht should move back in the first and second round of the draft…
We need more draft picks… It would be nice to receive an extra 3rd and 4th round picks this draft. We have so many needs.
OT, RB, TE, WR on offense… Just about every position on defense.
March 19th, 2023 at 3:50 pm
Stop it with this Miller gibberish!
He is not a WR!
Simple as that!
Devin Thompkins will show you what Miller can only dream of.
March 19th, 2023 at 3:53 pm
Thank you Winny.
March 19th, 2023 at 4:03 pm
Jones is broken, Perriman and Miller vet minimum if they come back. Bucs need experienced depth at WR. Grayson if we can get him back?
March 19th, 2023 at 4:07 pm
DoooshLaRue – I hope Donnie sits out there long enough for the Bucs to bring him back. That would be hilarious, all the crying that would take place.
March 19th, 2023 at 4:10 pm
Julio is likely done – he just can’t stay healthy. He’s a damn good player though, even now, and was once the best WR in football. But those super high end physical guys, when they start going bad, you might as well take them out back and then ship off their remains to the glue factory.
March 19th, 2023 at 4:17 pm
Scotty’s not bad on the cheap. But Julio (down by the schoolyard)? I think he’s about done. The guy amazes you with a couple of catches and then BAM..He’s on the injury list for the next 5 games.
March 19th, 2023 at 4:22 pm
WE GOT MY WISH AT QUARTERBACK, RE-SIGNED OUR MOST IMPORTANT PLAYERS, NOW WE NEED C.J.GARDNER-JOHNSON TYPE SAFETY ( OR A JOHN LYNCH TYPE SAFETY) A DEACON JONES TYPE EDGE RUSHER,AN AUSTIN ECKLER TYPE RUNNING BACK SOME GREAT PULLING GUARDS & ANOTHER BLUE-CHIP TACKLE LIKE TRISTEN WIRFS , A SHUT DOWN CORNER WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE TOO..A KICKER WHO CAN HIT FROM 60 YARDS IN ON A ROUTINE BASIS..
March 19th, 2023 at 4:58 pm
Not much to ask for, ALL CAPS TOMMY.
March 19th, 2023 at 5:02 pm
Mr Manic Capital Letters
Why? Why do you spew so?
And while we’re dreaming, a Jim Brown type of running back, a Mike Ditka tight end, a Ray Lewis linebacker, another Tristan Wirfs tackle, a Warren Sapp DT, and a Gary Anderson kicker. Send your ideas to Jason Licht, he would be very thankful for such insight.
March 19th, 2023 at 6:06 pm
Everybody wanting to bring little Scotty Miller back, you do realize this team never gets better if the same marginal players are continuously allowed to take up roster spots, right?
He gets rag dolled and run to the sideline on every deep route he runs and he gets zero yards after the catch. His speed equates to nothing on a football field with his build. Same exact issues when it comes to using him as a gunner in the kick coverage game.
March 19th, 2023 at 6:35 pm
I wouldn’t mind if Miller came back. Perriman too.
I never wanted Jones. Still consider him the enemy.
March 19th, 2023 at 6:37 pm
Goatfarmer Says
“Mr Manic Capital Letters”
Many people with eyesight issues type all caps so they can read text one their phones. Really not that big a deal…and certainly not worth putting someone down.
March 19th, 2023 at 6:37 pm
Bucs were in the running to sign S Nick Scott of the Rams so we might still be willing to make a little splash. He ended up signing a $12M contract with the Bengals.
March 19th, 2023 at 6:39 pm
Gotbbucs Says
“Everybody wanting to bring little Scotty Miller back, you do realize this team never gets better if the same marginal players are continuously allowed to take up roster spots, right?”
All the holes cannot be filled in one year either, especially with cap issues. If you can’t fill a hole immediately, it doesn’t hurt to bring in a cheap guy like Miller.
They could cut him before the cutdown if they need to…but best to have him than have nothing.
March 19th, 2023 at 6:44 pm
Erik Hesson … ‘Julio is a beast and looks to still be somewhat in his prime’.
Surely you jest. Julio was targeted 43 times in the 10 (of 17) games he managed to stay healthy for, and caught 24 of those for a catch percentage of 55.8%, plus 2 TDs. And he only cost us $6 MILLION dollars, all guaranteed. Not a bad deal (for Julio) if you can get it as a washed up 34-year-old receiver.
Oh did I mention Erik that the QB throwing to him was Tom Brady? The GOAT?
March 19th, 2023 at 6:51 pm
Every NFL team probably has 2 WRs stashed on their Practice Squads, at least some of whom would be better than Perriman or Scotty. We know who those 2 are, and neither one of them represents the future. They’d just be place-holders. We need to move on & keep trying some others; you never know when we’ll hit the lottery.
March 19th, 2023 at 6:58 pm
Hey wait a minute! He got TRISTAN WIRFS!
Tristan. Generational and he’s just getting started. Man we sure got lucky when he dropped in our draft range. Licht was wise to move up even one and put him in our lap.
If only we could catch lightning in a bottle a time or two more in this next one.
I do believe Licht knows what he’s doing. Hey I get the bad call on Argyo (including up a draft pick to move up for him) OUCH! Think he learned his lesson on that one. Let’s hope.
However, I’ve never felt this confident in any GM as I do with him. It’s new territory but if there’s a “blue chip” GM, he’s definitely IMHO one of them. He’s a 1%er and we’re lucky have him on our team
Go Bucs!
March 19th, 2023 at 7:03 pm
Oh did I mention Erik that the QB throwing to him was Tom Brady? The GOAT.
____________
DR,
Not defending Julio because I think he’s done, but to be fair Brady threw like doo-doo many times last year. Several games he looked BAD, so not so sure your line of thinking is that valid.
March 19th, 2023 at 7:03 pm
Move on from Julio. He’s just cashing a check.
March 19th, 2023 at 7:10 pm
Defense Rules – I agree with you on Julio. Those dolts saying it was a bad signing are morons. $6m for a part time starting level guy isn’t expensive at all. All you wish is that he would have been more healthy, but that’s why he only got $6m, because everyone knew he was going to miss a bunch of games. If teams thought he was healthy and would play 17 games, he’d have gotten $20m.
But I disagree on other teams having guys on their practice squad better than Perriman or Scotty. Other teams have the same type of guys on the PS as the Bucs, and Perriman and Scotty have proven they can be productive, at times, vs NFL defenses. Perriman, in particular, suffers from the same issue as Julio. He’s a guy who used to run a 4.2, but like almost all of those guys who run that fast, he spends half the season stuck in the garage getting worked on since he’s not reliable (physically). If you knew Perriman could stay healthy, play all year, and even practice, he’d be an expensive WR. There’s a reason he was a 1st round pick, but his downfall has been health his entire career. Every time he shows something for a few games, he then gets injured again.
Scotty is a one trick pony, but it is a good trick, IF the stupid OC actually uses him for that trick. But Leftwich was a moron, and kept trying to use Scotty on screen passes and end arounds – where you need quickness. Instead, Scotty, everytime he went out there, should have been running a fly route, maybe with a few curls thrown in if they just start playing back. He’s a guy that can reliable stretch the defense if he’s just running in a straight line. Scotty, if he had any agility, would be a lot more valuable, but that lack of agility is why he’d be cheap to resign if they wanted to do so.
March 19th, 2023 at 7:10 pm
Let them go and invite a half a dozen UDFAs to camp. It will be cheaper and might unearth a real talent.
March 19th, 2023 at 8:46 pm
Bonzai — there’s this option called “font size” for the visually impaired — there’s also a “text to voice” option — but those may be too challenging for some whose advice for Jason Licht is to draft and sign hall of famers.
But you win today’s good samaratin award so congratulations for that.
March 19th, 2023 at 9:56 pm
Garbage! These receivers are garbage! Show me one play that changes your mind.
March 19th, 2023 at 11:42 pm
Perriman had that one magical season with Winston and you just keep praying that he could do it again. But he can’t. For some reason he is damaged goods. Oh well
March 20th, 2023 at 12:03 am
Lots to show of (especially) Scotty and Julio for sure. BTW do I win the Samaritan award for correcting its spelling?
March 20th, 2023 at 7:53 am
Man I really wish Julio Jones could get a Ring before he retires. Unfortunately, he won’t get it with us this year. Perriman seems injury prone. Scotty is easily swamped in coverage and that jumping catch act that he does is quite a tell on his (in)ability to catch comfortably.
Reload.
March 20th, 2023 at 8:38 am
TBBFSince1976: I too like Thompkins, he seems to give 100% on every play. Hope he can add a few pounds of muscle during the off-season.
March 20th, 2023 at 9:08 am
Speed speed speed is what you need need need.
March 20th, 2023 at 10:47 am
Scott Miller is not an NFL receiver. Keep him for ST? Sure but pay him as such. What’s the veteran minimum? 1.1 mil/yr? We should all be so lucky to get paid that much to suck at our jobs. Lol