Hunting For A Wide Receiver
March 24th, 2024
Chris Godwin
Very few teams have a better one-two punch at receiver like the Bucs have in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. But for how much longer?
Evans just signed a two-year deal and he will be 31 in August. Godwin is in the final year of his contract.
Perhaps for this reason, the Bucs may be looking at drafting a receiver. Jenna Laine of ESPN thinks receiver is the Bucs’ No. 3 most important target in the draft.
… New offensive coordinator Liam Coen is moving Chris Godwin back inside and the team did draft Trey Palmer last year. The Bucs split Palmer and Thompkins in the slot, but Palmer is more of a vertical threat and had some inconsistent moments. And Thompkins does have some size limitations, despite playing much bigger than he actually is.
Now this year’s draft is very deep with receivers. If a stud falls to the Bucs, why not? (Naturally, this will satisfy the misguided “best player available” crowd.)
Joe is eager to see what Coen will do with Trey Palmer. Last year NextGen Stats showed no receiver in the game was quicker beginning their routes. That kind of quickness screams for Palmer to get slant passes and fly through defenses.
Palmer has a rare God-given gift with his wheels. Put that gift to use.
March 24th, 2024 at 11:08 am
I personally think CG will not be resigned and with the new OC the Bucs should draft a WR this year fairly high this year or next.
March 24th, 2024 at 11:15 am
Bucs need a back up rb also unless they think jones will never get hurt
March 24th, 2024 at 11:18 am
Stand pat on WR this year. We’ve got bigger needs. Edge, Center, LG, RB1 and CB.
March 24th, 2024 at 11:34 am
Who is Jones?
March 24th, 2024 at 11:36 am
Bingo cometowin2
March 24th, 2024 at 11:40 am
Bucs have been looking at a lot of WRs so far
March 24th, 2024 at 11:41 am
If JPJ, Barton, Latu, Verse, Chop are all gone at 26, taking a WR or CB makes sense as BPA. Hopefully a Brian Thomas or AD Mitchell could immediately step outside opposite Evans and make an impact.
March 24th, 2024 at 11:42 am
Godwin has sacrificed his body for the Bucs.
He has shortened his own career by the way he plays.
We better re-sign him. He’s earned it.
However, we definitely need another big receiver.
Palmer is small. Thompkins is small.
Otton is small and not fast. Keift is even slower. Durham is big but slow.
We also need a fast and big TE. Our TE room is very slow.
We need another big target at WR too.
We need a 6-3 to 6-5 Mike Evans protege.
Badly.
March 24th, 2024 at 11:50 am
Bucs will draft a WR but not as high as people think. More likely in the 3-4 round range IMO.
Also the speculation that the team will not re-sign Godwin is pure conjecture. Keep in mind all the dead cap space the Bucs have will come off the books next year for the most part. That easily helps re-sign Godwin.
March 24th, 2024 at 11:53 am
[Sorry, not here. — Joe]
all the wr’s and rb’s in the world wont do you any good unless you have an great o-line.
if you DO got a great o-line, billybucco’s girlfriend (assuming he has ever had one) can rack up 1,000 yds receiving
March 24th, 2024 at 12:00 pm
Let’s see:
center, guard, edge, CB, MLB, TE, then maybe WR. She thinks it’s the third need. I guess I just disagree. I can’t put it higher than 7th. Meaning it’s a day 3 selection if going strictly by needs (not realistic).
March 24th, 2024 at 12:07 pm
Fatties and edge.
Bulldozer RB.
Carries. Edge.
March 24th, 2024 at 12:28 pm
The focus should be on getting short yardage first downs. Bulldozer lineman and RB. Yes DE, TE and the rest are wanted – but bulldozers are needed imo.
March 24th, 2024 at 12:35 pm
Godwin has been a great buc. I don’t think CG will resign because of his knee. I don’t think he has many more years in those legs due to his injuries and physical play style.
Bucs need to draft a receiver this year or next. There will be a much bigger need next year. Although, I agree that the offensive line, pass rush and TE/RB are all bigger needs right now.
March 24th, 2024 at 12:42 pm
Belonzo
March 24th, 2024 at 12:43 pm
I’d like to see a Mike Alstott clone
March 24th, 2024 at 12:54 pm
Godwin a natural for 7 yard out patterns and then fake and go up sidelines with no safety help. Hope new OC works on these “long handoffs” this year. Godwin has great hands and with Mayfield accuracy Godwin should end up with 90 catches in 2024.
March 24th, 2024 at 1:00 pm
Onetrickpony Says:
March 24th, 2024 at 12:43 pm
Yeah, duh, who wouldn’t? Unfortunately, they don’t make ‘em like that anymore. Guys built like him don’t play RB these days.
March 24th, 2024 at 1:05 pm
Frankly, Godwin is probably overpaid for his production the last few years. We’ll see what Coen can do with him, but I think it’s highly unlikely that he’ll return without dropping that salary to 15 or less. I think it’s important that we take advantage of the WR talent in this draft in case he’s not back. Palmer could take a step forward with the new WR coach, who has a great reputation for developing receivers.
March 24th, 2024 at 1:05 pm
A one-two punch?
We hardly ever use them together like we should. It’s usually one or the other in any given game.
Godwin is one of my favorite Bucs and it’s a shame that he isn’t used enough/properly.
Hopefully Coen can make it happen.
March 24th, 2024 at 1:21 pm
Imagine if you will the bucs drafting an me clone….. AND getting an edge rusher in FA.
We can imagine. For now let’s role with cg and Mike one more year and draft a wr late
March 24th, 2024 at 1:31 pm
I think a lot of fans are undervaluing Godwin’s worth. Evans and Cg should be able to make sweet music together. If you have an offensive system capable of understanding each’s strengths. Godwin is the Keyshawn Johnson of the current Bucs. Dude takes shots over the middle and is willing to take those tough crossing routes but also has great hands. Very great hands. He’s important. He’s a key cog in 3rd downs and should have 1000 yards along with Mike. If a WR that excites the staff falls to us late, then fine but otherwise I don’t want to see us draft a WR. Still not even close to a position of need.
March 24th, 2024 at 1:34 pm
TPalmer has the wheels but can sometimes be iffy with holding on to the ball n fears contact. Godwin is a sure handed receiver. Get him the ball. When are we going to design plays for DThompkins to show his skills. Bucs seems to struggle blocking for him on certain pass plays n punt return. He use all of his 155 frame to show true grit for gaining yards on his own without the blocking of his teammates. Give him a good block n he’s all bye bye.
March 24th, 2024 at 2:01 pm
Am I crazy? I seem to remember a fairly recent game wherein Godwin had 15 receptions. No one ever talks about it so maybe I’m nuts.
March 24th, 2024 at 2:05 pm
Nah cricket… you right
CG is jimmy….. be can’t hear jimmy
March 24th, 2024 at 2:17 pm
There are 7 or 8 receivers in this class who are legit 1st round talents. The edge rusher class is weak, and Licht has shown the ability to get good OL in 2nd and 3rd rounds. IMO if a receiver you really like is there at 26, you get him. Then OL in 2nd, DL or edge plus another OL in 3rd, DB in 4th.
March 24th, 2024 at 2:59 pm
Pretty Ricky Pearsall.
Can play inside or outside, big body/good height, blocks, no serious injury history, I can go on. If he starts to fall a bit in the 2nd…why not go get him?
March 24th, 2024 at 3:14 pm
A big no for a WR this year, next year if CG is leaving, but we should bring him back.
Worst running game in the league, so we need C, G and a true RB1. Save White for pass catching.
Still need a pass rush: edge opposite of YaYa, and a decent DT3 to replace Hall.
Do we have a replacement for LVD when he retires and goes to HOF?
March 24th, 2024 at 3:14 pm
Sad what the dirty slimy Saints did to his career. He won’t make that kind of money again
March 24th, 2024 at 3:28 pm
2024 biggest draft needs: Edge, C, G, ILB, Power RB, CB
Way too early 2025 biggest draft needs (in no order): WR, TE, Edge, DT, RB, ILB
March 24th, 2024 at 3:36 pm
C, Edge, RB, WR
March 24th, 2024 at 3:44 pm
cmurda … ‘I think a lot of fans are undervaluing Godwin’s worth.’
Agree with you 100% on that cmurda. Chris doesn’t get the TDs that Mike does because of how he’s used, but he consistently moves the chains & that’s HUGE.
In the 5 years since BA arrived in 2019, Godwin has played in 72 games. He’s been targeted 604 times (average 121 per season) and caught 436 of those (average of 87 per season) for an average 72.2% catch rate. He’s gained a total of 5,323 yards receiving (1,065 yds/season) and caught a total of 26 TDs in those 5 years. Significantly though, he’s got 267 total 1st downs (average of 53 1/2 per season, or a tad more than 3 per game).
It’s interesting IMO to compare Godwin’s stats with Evans’ stats in that same 5 year period. Mike’s played in 77 games (1 more average per year than Chris). He’s been targeted exactly the same 604 times (average 121 per season) and caught 367 of those (average of 73 per season) for an average 60.8% catch rate (quite a bit less than Godwin). Yet he’s gained more yards … a total of 5,577 yards receiving (1,115 yds/season) and caught over twice as many TDs (a total of 54 TDs in those 5 years). Interestingly, he’s got 272 total 1st downs (average of 54 1/2 per season, or a tad more than 3 per game); roughly the same as Godwin has in that same time period.
Seems pretty clear that Chris, despite playing an average of 1 less game per season than Mike, is fairly close to being as productive as Mike is with 1 exception … TDs. But they both complement each other VERY NICELY. They’ve still both got several years left in them. I don’t see anyone standing in line to replace either one of them anytime soon.
March 24th, 2024 at 3:45 pm
Imagine what Jacquez Green would’ve done with today’s passing rules.
March 24th, 2024 at 3:52 pm
I think if one of the top edge rushers doesn’t fall to us at 26 we should trade back and get another late 2nd or 3rd rounder
We have lots of needs and stockpiling day 2 picks is the way to go in a deep draft after all that is the meat and potatoes of most draftd
March 24th, 2024 at 3:57 pm
sweti_yeti Says:
March 24th, 2024 at 1:00 pm
Onetrickpony Says:
March 24th, 2024 at 12:43 pm
I’d like to see a Mike Alstott clone
Yeah, duh, who wouldn’t? Unfortunately, they don’t make ‘em like that anymore. Guys built like him don’t play RB these days.
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Yup, now they play positions like nose tackle, because sacks are more important than TD’s (?!?!?).
If that was me…I’d be begging to convert back to the offensive side to play fullback.
There aren’t many players in Bucs history that are as loved by fans as The “A” Train.
TB wants to be a power running team? Start with a big bruising fullback!
VV
March 24th, 2024 at 4:19 pm
We have burner Palmer and we let Moore walk just like we let whats his name walk (chiefs wr that was with us) i think we’re ok. but if something is there in the 6th, why not
Powers
Braswell
Estime
March 24th, 2024 at 4:21 pm
Watson
March 24th, 2024 at 4:49 pm
If it’s the right guy, Xavier Worthy is interesting for sure. They’ve gotta have freakish athleticism and production for first round.
Calijah Kancey was a great pick last year for example.
March 24th, 2024 at 5:52 pm
I don’t like the way Godwin has taken to wrapping the ball with both arms against his chest after the catch. Slows him down.
March 24th, 2024 at 6:01 pm
See no reason to not extended CG. I wouldn’t mind the Bucs drafting Johnny Wilson out of FSU in the mid rounds He needs some work but he is a carbon copy of ME.
March 24th, 2024 at 6:05 pm
Bucs can pick up a WR in the very late rounds or UDAs. This year its big uglies on the O like a C and a big LG from the SEC and OLB/DE and DTs on the D and
March 24th, 2024 at 6:06 pm
Maybe a CB.
March 24th, 2024 at 7:01 pm
If Godwin is still as good as always, I see the Bucs signing him to a similar two year deal that Evans signed. You don’t throw away great, productive players.
March 24th, 2024 at 8:20 pm
Thompson plays like a tiny guy, imo.
March 24th, 2024 at 8:39 pm
Godwin is not Evans. Sorry, he’s just not in the same category. I love him on our team. Great team player, great production, smart, respectful, all good stuff… but teams do not have to game plan around Godwin like they do for Evans. He could blow up this year in Coen’s offense, so who knows what the future holds?
March 24th, 2024 at 8:42 pm
We need more speed on the field. Godwin can’t get open anymore and after his wife incident there is no way he will be resigned. I think we will draft two receivers in first five rounds. Time to stock up on them! Give Baker more weapons more explosive weapons. I respect Godwin for what he did over his career here but if you can’t lead your house I can’t be in the trenches with you. Especially the timing of it was the weak Evans pretty much cemented himself as a hall of famer it reeked of jealousy and envy.
March 24th, 2024 at 10:43 pm
Godwin’s sure hands has earned this last contract he signed. Good head on his shoulders, Jason Licht prototype player with the gray matter between the ears and die hard toughness. This year will decide if he’s a Buc for life but I’d draft a wide out regardless. Can’t ever have enough and Palmer was just a bit too much of a rookie last year for me to be sold on him just yet.
March 24th, 2024 at 10:54 pm
Another speedster that is turning heads in D-3 is Shangrus Pillt. Plays for Northwood in Michigan. Licht’s got his guys watching the kid.
March 24th, 2024 at 11:01 pm
Dan obviously went to the Madden Video Game School of General Management. No one with any football knowledge is calling for anything other than trench upgrade and pass rush. Todd’s defense was a few AW2 plays away from being a total laughing stock last year. Two consecutive years of the worst running game in NFL history. Baker getting mauled if he wasn’t running for his life. And the rookies – unless they’re Justin Jefferson or Mike Evans – are gonna be Palmer at best.
But yeah let’s just waste our draft on fast guys that will remind us of Dardung.
March 24th, 2024 at 11:19 pm
Bucs should draft Drake Stoops kid is an ama,ing receiver and wouldnt cost a whole lot
March 25th, 2024 at 12:05 am
Like Evans, I think Chris Godwin will want to stay here.
Im sure he loves playing with Mayfield and Evans.
Jason Licht has a great talent for keeping the band together.
We have a 2-3 year window with Lavonte, Godwin, Evans, etc.
We can win a superBowl with this team. Need to address our big needs
I think we address wr in rounds 6-7
March 25th, 2024 at 4:40 pm
I will not speculate or speak for Chris on whether or not if he will be a Buc for his entire career! I really hope that him, Evans, Levonte, and Winfield Jr. never wear any other team’s jersey while playing in the NFL! But that being said if there is a chance to pick an elite player or a game changer whether it be a WR, a QB, a CB, a LB, or any other position on the field in the 1st round is only going to help make the Bucs a better team! Whom ever they draft or whatever position they decide to address in the draft doesn’t mean that they are drafting that player cause they’re going to need a replacement for another player on the team that plays the same position! If they decide to draft a WR in the 1st round they’re looking at it like we can bring in another young playmaker that’s going to draw coverage freeing up the dynamic playmakers we already have on the team! What can we do to help them out next season? Draft a WR that’s a threat to the opposing defense! Cause the defense either has to double Evans, Godwin, or a good rookie WR! Which means whichever is getting doubled the other two will have one on one matchups and if they’re WRs like Godwin or Evans 9 times out of 10 they’re going to win those 1 on 1 matchups against any secondary in the league! And honestly if they have an opportunity to draft Leggette out of S. Carolina they need too! Cause he’s a really talented WR! He’s a playmaker, a game changer, and a threat on the field! He reminds me a lot of Evans!
March 26th, 2024 at 3:19 am
I mean in my personal opinion I find Palmer to be the third guy. Why add a guy he’s fine as the third guy! So many other pressing needs right now. If you want to add to the offense add a better TE which we know you can’t because there really isn’t one that stands out from the crowd, or add a more intriguing RB. We have two $20+ mill receivers? That’s a lot of money. They’re expected to take on a bigger workload of our offense. Adding a third WR takes targets away from them which makes me question why are they getting as much money? Also OL a huge need taking 2-3 OL hoping one turns into a productive starter is more important. Robert Hainsey at C isn’t the answer long term and neither of our G spots look like they can lock it down either. Now I d k about the new guys we signed but they look like temporary relief at best. Camp bodies…. Etc.
Anyways that’s my take. DL to replace Logan Hall who is a bust. A pass rusher to play opposite of YaYa seems more important. A CB1/2 opposite of Jamel Dean seems like better choice. ILB to learn behind LVD. I mean these are things that I would be looking at. I’d take a look at the TE from Texas but that’s a 2nd round pick regardless of need or want.