The 33rd Team: Bucs Receivers No. 15
August 16th, 2024
Will be better than some expect.
Joe has no idea how someone can type rankings in good conscience when they put so much stock in rookies who have never stepped on the field in a regular season NFL game.
Over at The 33rd Team, Mike Tannebaum’s outfit, which seems to be a lifeboat for all the folks jumping off the PFF tribe ship, Ian Valentino is of the mind the Bucs have just an average receiving corps, ranked No. 15.
Yeah, despite having a Hall of Fame receiver on one side, a Pro Bowler at slot and one of the quickest receivers in the league opposite Mike Evans, the Bucs are just meh at receiver per this Valentino.
Why does he think this way? Well, in part because he puts a ton of stock into rookie receivers.
For example, he has the Bears — the Bears! — as having the fifth-best receiving corps largely because of Rome Odunze. Valentino has the Chiefs — the Chiefs! — as the No. 14 receiver group largely because of rookie Xavier Worthy.
In fact, Valentino likely would have had the Bucs in the bottom half of the league for receivers because he has rookie Jalen McMillan already penciled in as the Bucs’ No. 4 receiver.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
WR room: Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Trey Palmer, Jalen McMillan, Deven ThompkinsI know Chris Godwin posted 1,024 yards and had his highest yards per catch since 2020 last year, but he physically hasn’t looked the same after tearing his ACL in 2021. He’s a fine possession threat with little red zone upside.
That makes this unit highly dependent on Mike Evans and rookie Jalen McMillan to create spark plays. Thankfully for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Evans is still consistently good, and McMillan was one of the more pro-ready rookies in the class.
First off, dude might want to check on Deven Thompkins. He’s been gone a while.
As of today, Aug. 16, Joe is not ready to anoint McMillan as the Bucs No. 3 receiver quite yet. He’s basically splitting time with Trey Palmer in training camp.
Joe can easily see McMillan as the No. 3 receiver, but until Joe sees it, McMillan will be a No. 4 while getting a bunch of snaps..
Palmer and McMillan are two different receivers. McMillan is more of a slot receiver who can play outside. Joe isn’t sure McMillan is the home run hitter that Palmer is.
If Palmer could catch consistently — a key trait for a receiver — he would be dangerous and capable of scoring from all corners of the field. Joe isn’t sure McMillan, while pretty impressive in training camp, has that ability.
McMillan is more of a chains mover. Palmer is more of a home run threat.
And Joe firmly believes playing in the slot again, Godwin will shine more. He sure has since the very first day of training camp.
August 16th, 2024 at 11:09 am
Wow. They breathe amongst us. They are mouth breathers but they breathe amongst us. I’m surprised this cretin didn’t list Louis Murphy or Tiquan Underwood.
What a buffoon maroon. A lifetime supply of imbecillin wouldn’t help.
August 16th, 2024 at 11:16 am
The fact that that clown still thinks Thompkins is on the team shows he didn’t bother to reacearch this at all.
August 16th, 2024 at 11:28 am
Joe … ‘Ian Valentino is of the mind the Bucs have just an average receiving corps, ranked No. 15.’
And THAT’S why ‘The 33rd Team’ will always come in last place in a 32-team league.
August 16th, 2024 at 11:32 am
That website is simply two ponderous to read, get pop-ups from the top you get pop-ups from the bottom you get pop-ups from the side….
August 16th, 2024 at 11:34 am
What about Sterling Shepard?……when was this analysis done?
August 16th, 2024 at 11:41 am
He’s got Thompkins on the list? He just added the rookies to last year’s starters’ stats without research. He needs to be fired and go work for a PR firm or politician.
August 16th, 2024 at 11:42 am
Disrespectful
August 16th, 2024 at 11:44 am
Classic case of someone born at night, last night……just sayin. Garbage in garbage out. GIGO.
August 16th, 2024 at 11:52 am
I want to know why the Buccs have not re-signed Chris Godwin. It is really bothering me.
August 16th, 2024 at 11:55 am
it’s a miracle CG and ME got 1k yards each last year they way they ran the bal… again and again….when airing it out would have opened up the run.
hope coen is better
August 16th, 2024 at 12:09 pm
Upside is they have Falcons rated at 28 with Moore taken out of the room due to Injury. How the Heck will Cousins have success going from the 8th best to 28th best receiver group? Hopefully DB’s won’t have to be committed to stopping the Run.
Surprised someone has not offered A.B. 2.93 Million to clear up his debt and a million to put in his pocket on a one year deal. No Incentives of course as he just does not do well with them.
August 16th, 2024 at 12:11 pm
The one’s I’d definitely rank us over from that list:
Chiefs – Brown/Rice/etc on not proven on the Evans/Godwin level whatsover
Lions – they have no #2 on Godwin’s level, and our #3/4 are better imo
Browns – same argument as Lions
Packers – have no #1 WR per their own coach
Rams & Eagles- I like our depth more and we have an equivalent top 1-2 punch imo
SO yeah probably have us like top 5-8 range.
August 16th, 2024 at 12:11 pm
This is the type of lazy journalism that makes me appreciate Joes! They are adamant about reporting facts as facts and opinions as opinions.
August 16th, 2024 at 12:14 pm
Thank you ATLBUC!
August 16th, 2024 at 12:37 pm
The lesson I took from that “analysis” by Ian Valentino is to never waste a single moment of my life reading anything from him…ever!
If he got paid for writing that trash he should return the money. Any 5th grader could do a better job.
August 16th, 2024 at 12:59 pm
IN 2023, THE BUCS WERE THE ONLY TEAM IN THE NFL with
#1 WR in TD rec
#9 WR in YARDS rec
1 of 3 teams with 2x 1000-YARD receivers
ONLY team with 2 WR in Top 25 YARDS rec
One of those guys is the so called “washed” Godwin. If Godwin is washed, check out the WR that did less.
No other team can touch our WR production and that gets you #15.
Worthless opinion.
August 16th, 2024 at 1:18 pm
GOOD!!! Keep disrespecting and underestimating them. This author is obviously clueless. Thompkins???? LOL
August 16th, 2024 at 1:20 pm
“No one knows what it means, but it’s provocative!” – Blades of Glory flashes in my brain every time these pseudo-rankings come out.
August 16th, 2024 at 1:32 pm
After watching RealBucsTalk film breakdown on McMillan I’m confident he’s the #3.
August 16th, 2024 at 1:32 pm
The recent film from Cincy that is
August 16th, 2024 at 1:42 pm
Top 5 easy…. Mike and Chris alone achieves that…..
Sterling Shepard was a hell of a #2 receiver for a few years earlier in his career. If healthy, he could become a real situational weapon for Baker to utilize when needed… at worst, he’s an excellent yet inexpensive veteran insurance policy.
The Bucs also have a good bit of young talent behind their HOF and Pro Bowl level starters…..
McMillan will be an asset and play maker from day 1!
Palmer has speed you cant teach and showed well overall with a good bit of playing time as a rookie.
Rakim Jarrett has shown he can make big plays in this league….
Ryan Miller seems to show up when the lights are on and he gets a chance….
Baker was quoted yesterday calling D2 UDFA Kameron Johnson “a stud”…’he’s a polished receiver”… “he’s extremely smooth in his routes and explosive”…
Pretty safe to say this Valentino character is just a bit off the mark in ranking Bucs WRs at #15….
I expect LOTS of big plays from Bucs receivers this year (including White) – and Baker has a bunch of very good options to choose from regardless of who is on the field….
If the OLine is “fixed” – we gonna light it up this year on offense folks….
August 16th, 2024 at 1:53 pm
If B Irving and S Tucker show they can handle the RB position, R White may become a valuable slot receiver as well as a receiver out of the backfield – with improved OLine, Bucs offense could be very dangerous.
August 16th, 2024 at 2:44 pm
Offense could / should be explosive, as long as Todd follows through on letting Liam and Baker have the freedom to audible and adjust, and to attack early.
Todd has given me cause to pause recently, though. He seems to be backsliding through his double talk. Not tough, then suddenly tough. After a touch football practice. Nothing toughens up an NFL player like touch football. :eyeroll:
“Need the reps. Don’t need the reps.”
OK then.
At least he let Burrow chop him like a salad. The 3rd and 17 conversion was a thing of beauty. It would make Bucs fans happy to actually break up a slant pass once.
August 16th, 2024 at 4:08 pm
This article is typical of the lazy, corner-cutting, work that is everywhere in society.
I am sure this clown got applauded & paid.
That’s what makes this site special – Joe attends to the details and produces a superior product.
August 16th, 2024 at 6:19 pm
Thompkins hasn’t been on the team in months…once again, the national football media just throws crap at a wall and sees what sticks. They know zero about the teams outside if the northeast corridor, Dallas, and California. Beyond pathetic.
August 16th, 2024 at 6:20 pm
Surprised they didn’t say Charles Lee was on the roster.
August 16th, 2024 at 6:40 pm
The usual SOS from the sports bloviators. I know White and Otton aren’t WRs, but they sure can catch a football. And what’s Ungodly Godwin now? Chopped liver?
August 16th, 2024 at 6:58 pm
Cool. Spread the disrespect around – get the receiving krewe pissed off too!
I really hope JL IS saving clippings and I hope he’s posting them in the locker room!
August 16th, 2024 at 7:06 pm
i hope evans and godwin here about this. some elite athletes like those guys dont shake things like that off, they use it as fuel. every one ranked higher better watch out.
thats what brady did to every other team for passing on him in the draft.
jordan remembers every slight.
there are other ways. jack nicklaus forgot every missed putt unless it taught him something.joe maddon gave his 24 hours and they had to forget what ever happened.
but i see our guys using this as fuel
August 16th, 2024 at 7:42 pm
We have to be in the top five in receiving groups I’m sorry to say this guy has lost his marbles like I don’t even know how we could be ranked below 10
August 16th, 2024 at 8:41 pm
This poor take from Valentino is great fuel for the fire in the belly of the Bucs. I love the perpetual disrespect given to the often perceived lowly Buccaneers. I hope this ill informed take gets our WR room jacked up to prove all the half a$$ed sports journalist out there wrong. GO BUCS
August 16th, 2024 at 10:23 pm
It’s a Tard’s world. We’re all just living in it.
August 17th, 2024 at 5:12 am
Agian they have stopped just throwing darts and are now not even doing that. We are now middle of the pack regardless of facts.
Geeez!
Go Bucs!
August 17th, 2024 at 9:50 am
Flying under the radar and I love it.
Bucs passing offense is going to sneak up on people this season. I have this feeling.
August 18th, 2024 at 12:21 am
If you think this list was comical which I truly did lol. You should go check out there list for top 10 receivers of all time.this is the list from 10-1. What y’all think?
10. Chris Carter
9. Tyreek Hill (only active player on list)
8.Antonio Brown
7. Marvin Harrison Sr.
6.Larry Fitzgerald
5.Lance Allworth
4.Calvin Johnson
3. T.O.
2. Randy Moss
1. The GOAT Jerry Rice
For me there’s at least 2 names that should not be on there, at least not at this time maybe in the future. Once again our Bucs get disrespected because when all said and done Mike Evans will be one of the 10 best to ever step on a field at the WR position. IMO