Burning Question For Bucs
May 27th, 2024
Battle for No. 3.
If you take your time, you can come up with all sorts of burning questions for the Bucs as training camp kicks off in two months.
Who starts opposite YaYa Diaby at outside linebacker? Will Tykee Smith unseat Christian Izien at slot corner? Can Bucky Irving light a fire under Rachaad White as a running back.
All fair questions. But Dakota Randall of Pro Football Network has a more pressing question:
Who will be the Bucs’ No. 3 receiver?
Burning question: Who’s WR3?
Chris Godwin will be a free agent next offseason, and Mike Evans isn’t getting any younger. The Bucs need a young receiver to establish himself as a No. 3 option this season while showing potential for an even greater role. This likely will come down to Trey Palmer and Jalen McMillan, both of whom need to have good springs.
Joe agrees that this will come down to Trey Palmer and Jalen McMillan. Joe doesn’t think Deven Thompkins will be in the mix.
Joe would lean on Palmer. Here is why:
Yeah, Joe could nitpick Palmer in his rookie season. Still, he showed flashes. And remember, he was Day 3 draft pick. So Joe is willing to cut the guy some slack.
Besides, Palmer was the quickest receiver at the start of his routes in the NFL last year. Yes, quicker than Cheetah Hill, per NFL NextGen Stats.
Joe almost thinks Palmer was misused. Yes, with his speed you want Palmer to take the top off the defense, no question. However, the way Palmer bursts to start his routes, the way he can get open right away, why not throw him the ball on slants and very short passes and let his wheels take over?
That strategy sure seemed to work against the Eagles. 🙂
ONCE AGAIN, HOW Y'ALL FEELING BUCS FANS?! 😱
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May 27th, 2024 at 7:18 am
I do remember he was a 3rd day pick, that’s why I give the edge to McMillan. J Mac could’ve been a 1st round pick had he not been slowed by a knee, and in any other draft. Mute point though, both should see the field. Coen running 11 personal more, and Evans needing to come out after every catch, or drop will let both play plenty. Going to be some fun training camp battles for a change.
May 27th, 2024 at 7:46 am
Michael Thomas has made a pretty good living running just those kinds of plays
May 27th, 2024 at 7:55 am
My burning questions arr, will the head coach tell his offensive coordinator to score points rather than grind clock?
Will the head coach ever teach his back 7 how to play pass defense? Or at least hire a real DC to do it?
May 27th, 2024 at 7:55 am
Palmer was definitely misused. I was wondering why he wasn’t used on more slant routes and man beaters. I get that he isn’t the biggest guy and going over the middle is tough but they aren’t decleating like they used to.
May 27th, 2024 at 7:55 am
Jalen McMillan = Godwins replacement if he leaves.
May 27th, 2024 at 7:59 am
Palmer is going to have his work cut out for him, J Mac is a route running technician and a healthy 1 yr pro in Rakim Jarrett isn’t a to be overlooked for the job either. It’ll be interesting to hear & see who Coen & Mayfield favor once camps start.
This play was great, but the tackling by the eagles defenders is sorry enough to make DC eat the smelling salts out of frustration.
May 27th, 2024 at 8:03 am
Quick slants worked with Joey Galloway when he was here.
May 27th, 2024 at 8:16 am
I think JMac because of his versatility……he is much better than a late 3rd round pick. He’s not slow….4.47
I do think Palmer will see almost as many snaps because of his unique speed.4.33
It’s a good problem to have.
May 27th, 2024 at 9:30 am
Thompkins could be #4 or #5 receiver should he have a good camp in terms of splitting the seems in deep pass routes, and returning kicks. JMac, Palmer, and Jarret fill the back up role behind Evans and Godwin. So, its crowded in the WR room. Bucky could be the 3rd and medium/long back we’ve been needing. Middle of the field and goal line passing situations are going to be fun to watch this upcoming season. Big TEs, WRs and a mobile QB. Offensive guards better be ready. Guard production will determine the success of the offense.
DL pass rush is paramount. We wouldn’t have to create such innovative pass rush models if the DL could perform better in this area. Not so much a sack (which is ideal) but being athletic enough to do perform multiple tasks on the fly.
May 27th, 2024 at 9:53 am
Jarrett should not be forgotten about as the #4
May 27th, 2024 at 10:45 am
In a few weeks, as teams do their final cuts, some very talented Wrs are gonna become available.
We can continue to develop our young guys- but still throw an experienced WR opposite our talented duo. What WR wouldnt want that gig? Always facing single coverage!
Just need to finish Reworking Wirfs Contract, so we have the moola to sign a couple guys.
A left Guard still seems like a need, too!
May 27th, 2024 at 10:48 am
This is why I expect Godwin to be priced outta town next season. Obviously the decision gets tough if major injury or terrible seasons befall Palmer or McMillan but they will move from the battle for #3 to the battle for #2 next offseason. Love Godwin, don’t want to lose him but can’t see him back at $20+ million.
Add a veteran FA WR and CB or ILB for roughly $10 million each and continue to build the trenches through the early draft rounds. JL has a winning formula here if he can pick more Kanceys/Diabys and less JTS’.
Easy to talk this far down the road because the direction of this team is exciting. Pumped for the 2024 season to see what the Bucs can build on. A lot could happen before I put that opinion in ink.
May 27th, 2024 at 10:50 am
There was a certain receiver that without him, the Bucs possibly don’t win a Super Bowl. Sixth round pick who barely made a dent in his rookie season. His second year and beyond were phenomenal, at least on the field.
Wouldn’t it be amazing if Trey and Jalen both break out and are the #1 & #2 receivers for the Bucs a couple of seasons from now?
May 27th, 2024 at 11:46 am
Palmer did pretty good last year even while being misused some. Can’t always take the top off a defense every play. The 2nd year jump should see him solidify his spot. He found the endzone as well as Godwin as a rookie so I can see him being able to replace him.
May 27th, 2024 at 12:09 pm
Hodad … ‘Evans needing to come out after every catch’.
You floored me with that one Hodad. Looking at Mike’s career, he’s averaged 875 offensive snaps over his 10-year career (roughly 83-84% of the offense’s total snaps each year). That’s a beast. He’s been targeted on 15% of those snaps (about 132 times a season average) . Got a hunch that there’s been a lot of blocking & a lot of decoy/option routes in those other 85%.
Still, playing 83-84% of the game is quite a feat for a guy running close to full speed every play. Chris Godwin has averaged about 100 less offensive snaps per season (770) than Mike has (875), and as should probably be expected, he’s been targeted less than Mike (about 108 times a season average). They’ve both actually stayed very healthy for WRs IMO (Mike’s averaging 15.4 games/season, while Chris is averaging 14.9).
May 27th, 2024 at 12:18 pm
Anyone questioning Mike’s toughness deserves a hot acid enema.
May 27th, 2024 at 12:33 pm
With improved pass protection, Palmer should have more time to burn single coverage. Also, if the running game gets respectable, Palmer on play-action go routes could be lethal. Let’s not overlook his pedigree, he was at Wide Receiver U (LSU) behind Chase and Jefferson. He went to Nebraska and balled.
May 27th, 2024 at 3:55 pm
Anyone that complains or questions Mike Evans over any aspect of his games is straight bizzare an disrespectful
May 27th, 2024 at 3:58 pm
Remember when people used to whine about his YAC? LOL
May 27th, 2024 at 7:17 pm
Think Palmer is going to take the top off of the defense if Godwin is lining up in the slot. Think if Coen’s play calling is solid, this offense can present a real problem for defenses. Expect White and Otton to be used underneath after Evans, Godwin, Palmer and now Mcmillian stretch the field. Expect this team can average 30 points a game with decent play calling. Hope Coen goes for the points , not like Canales stupid play calling last season.
May 28th, 2024 at 12:03 am
I like this take. While I think Canales could turn into a good head coach, I don’t think much of his OC skills. Baker totally saved that dude, and Canales should give Baker $10K for a Christmas present every single year he is a head coach in the NFL.
May 28th, 2024 at 12:16 am
Marino was WAY better than Montana, but he never won a Super Bowl. It takes a complete team (including coaches) to win a Super Bowl. Baker is a stud, and he has always done his part when he wasn’t playing hurt. I’m excited about this year!!!
May 28th, 2024 at 6:27 am
If we can get other teams to respect Palmers speed by actually hitting him on some go routes… Baker?
Go Bucs!