No, Wide Receiver Is Not A Priority
January 30th, 2025
PFF tribe weighs in.
“This Joe” believes there is nothing resembling the crater-sized hole on the Bucs’ roster than the one at inside linebacker. But a member of the PFF tribe seems to think otherwise.
Zoltán Buday of the PFF tribe cobbled together a list of the highest priorities on each NFL team’s roster. He doesn’t see the Bucs going after an inside linebacker. Or a safety. Or a corner. Or even a pass rusher.
In fact, Buday doesn’t even think any defender is a priority. Instead, Buday believes the Bucs should go after a receiver.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Invest in a wide receiver
Only two Tampa Bay wide receivers earned [strong reviews] in 2024 — Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. …However, Godwin is coming off an injury and is expected to hit free agency next month, while Evans will turn 32 before the start of the 2025 season. The Bucs also lacked youth at the position — Jalen McMillan was the team’s only receiver under 28 to log more than 300 snaps. [McMillan] showed improvement as the season progressed.
Well, McMillan showed more than just improvement. He looked like the stud many thought he would be based on how he stood out in training camp.
In a vacuum, Joe could sort of understand what Buday is suggesting. But it shouldn’t be a priority. Maybe a receiver in the third round isn’t an awful thing.
“This Joe” believes the Bucs’ draft this spring should be straight-up all defenders. (The other Joe would die from a heart attack if this happened.)
For now, Joe is waiting to see what Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht and coach Todd Bowles come up with for an offensive coordinator.
If the guy is a run-run-run-your-boat, blasting-up-the-middle kind of guy, Joe then thinks there is a reasonalbe possibility Chris Godwin may not return. If the new offensive coordinator doesn’t want to pass much, it’s then hard for the bean counters at One Buc Palace to justify paying two receivers $20 million each a season.
In a big picture view, Joe gets what Buday is suggesting, especially when Mike Evans and Godwin will be 32 and 29, respectively — geezers for NFL receivers. The Bucs do need another young receiver. But it surely isn’t a priority when the Bucs have more holes on defense than a slice of Swiss cheese.
January 30th, 2025 at 10:34 am
Would not be surprised if we picked a WR at 19 if one of the top receivers dropped to us. If Luther Burden is there, I can see that happening.
January 30th, 2025 at 10:42 am
Need a LB or CB in the 1st
January 30th, 2025 at 10:45 am
I think this us the year Dennis stays on the field and balls out, I’d get a corner rounds 1-3…. heck I’d even trade up for Will Johnson
January 30th, 2025 at 10:46 am
Bucs will pick a receiver don’t know what round but older guys get injured in Evans Godwin and McMillan got hurt there is no reliable 4th. It doesn’t have to be critical need like he didn’t need a tight end last year
January 30th, 2025 at 10:48 am
[Probably the same reason why Joe has a far, far larger readership. Joe has no desire to write about what Joe isn’t interested in, or replicate failing businesses. – Joe]
January 30th, 2025 at 10:49 am
You found the Stanks secret voo doo curse trickster.
January 30th, 2025 at 10:50 am
McMillain did an outstanding job coming on like gangbusters at the end of the year. Godwin is going to be re-signed. I cannot say a #4 WR is a priority. Sorry. We need number 1 corner, safety, ILB, OLB. This person clearly watched zero games. If they did, they’d be embarrassed at this awful assessment.
January 30th, 2025 at 10:51 am
I don’t know if he’ll make it all the way to 19 but I sure would like to see Jeremy Bassa on our team. He plays a lot like levante David with the size of D. White. Being a 4-year Oregon product they say him and Bucky Irving had some legendary competition at practice raising both of their games. If we don’t wind up with an exciting linebacker and there is a top-not shutdown corner available and we can get wide receivers later in the draft McMillan’s proof
January 30th, 2025 at 10:53 am
WR is always a need position in this league. Need more than just McMillan as an up and comer. Games are won and lost every week because one teams #3 reciever is better than the other teams #3 corner. Bucs fans should recognize this hard truth almost better than anybody.
January 30th, 2025 at 10:59 am
Tetairoa McMillan is the only wide receiver they should consider, but it’s unlikely he will be available at pick 19. While Mike Evans has proven to be a generational talent, McMillan is the closest thing I’ve seen and might even be better coming out of college. He has a full route tree and polished hands. The argument against him is his big-play ability, but that could also be attributed to the quarterback he’s playing with.
Ultimately, the focus should be on the best cornerback, inside linebacker, outside linebacker/pass rusher, and defensive line, though it all depends on how the draft unfolds. It’s best to stick to the Best Player Available strategy and consider trading down if there’s no one on your board you feel is worth the pick. Trust your scouts—every team is different, and what might make a star for one team might not work out for yours at all. Scheme and Fit matter…
January 30th, 2025 at 11:00 am
Whoever thinks we need WR has never followed the bucs
January 30th, 2025 at 11:00 am
I’m with the Joes on this one. The scheme revolves around MLBs.
It’s not the deepest overall class, but it is deep at our greatest need.
Campbell, Paul Jr, Stutsman, Bassa and Barton are all legitimate options.
January 30th, 2025 at 11:03 am
@BigBucsFan
no way Bassa is a 1st round pick. He’s grading out as a 3rd-4th round pick. Not sure how you’re thinking he’s a 1st round pick
January 30th, 2025 at 11:07 am
CB/Safety or ILB with picks 1,2,4 and 5. OLB or DE in round 3. Can afford a DT and WR with the last two picks.
Resign Chris Godwin!
January 30th, 2025 at 11:09 am
The guy from Ohio St. Egbuka is the man nobody can defense him.
January 30th, 2025 at 11:30 am
Sometimes I see these non-Bucs sites talk about our areas of need for the draft and they straight up make me laugh. Hand to the good Lord I saw one (maybe a CBS guy) last week that listed OT as one of our top 4 draft needs. You can’t make that stuff up.
Unfortunately one of, if not our biggest needs, ILB is supposedly a fairly thin crop at the draft & projected in FA. Not good. I’m a proponent of the double up strategy (draft one & pick up a FA one) at our 3 biggest areas of need: EDGE/OLB, ILB, and corner. We also need to get another safety; from what I saw I have ZERO faith in Whitehead going forward (sad).
January 30th, 2025 at 11:34 am
Let me rephrase my statement: the only wide receiver the Bucs should consider drafting this year is what I meant. This team has far too many defensive needs. I’m sure there are some great wide receivers in this year’s draft, but unless a clear-cut #1 WR like Mike Evans falls to them, the pick should be used elsewhere. Doesn’t matter you score 40 points a game if your opponent scores 50…
January 30th, 2025 at 11:42 am
Bucs no 1 problem is a PASS RUSH. Go back and review the games. We maybe had 4 games where we even got any kind of pressure.
January 30th, 2025 at 11:51 am
If they think a generational talent has fallen to them at any positions (except special teams) then they should make the pick. WR, DT, OT whatever.
January 30th, 2025 at 11:52 am
The dope over at BSPN has us taking the OSU kid in the first. I also completed my annual mock and have us taking a WR in Rd 13…
January 30th, 2025 at 11:57 am
FREE AGENCY FIRST
Every year Licht fills all the Bucs’ holes with Free Agents. Last year was the first year he left a gap at MLB. I was shocked. The Bucs have some money to spend so I’m expecting good talent acquisitions at OLB, MLB, CB, and S. Loading up on FA frees Licht and co to pursue the BPA in the draft.
WITH THE 19th PIC
Looking at this draft, the best available player in the first round will likely be a CB.
January 30th, 2025 at 12:04 pm
If we draft a receiver in the first two rounds, say goodbye to Godwin. I’d hate to see that happen, but from a business perspective it makes sense. However, I agree with the Joe that wants us to focus on the D with our premium draft picks. ILB, CB, DE, not necessarily in that order. Let Licht do his magic in the later rounds and grab an o-lineman for depth. There will be opportunities to pick up undrafted WRs in camp, and hopefully one or two of those will stick.
January 30th, 2025 at 12:06 pm
Idjuts be as Idjuts is. Maybe in the later rounds but not until day 3. If dude could return punts it’s a bonus.
January 30th, 2025 at 12:10 pm
LOL Who is “the dope” (there are so many there) and who is the “OSU kid?”
January 30th, 2025 at 12:51 pm
Should take a look at trading with the JETS for Garrett Wilson if they’re wanting WR help… Still 3-more years left on his ‘rookie’ deal. If it were me though, I would prioritize making the Sauce Gardner trade instead (still with 2-years remaining on his ‘rookie’ deal), just because CB is much harder to find PREMIER level talent. There are A LOT fewer of them out there, than there are WR’s. Plus, HE is probably THE BEST CB in the entire LEAGUE… Top-5 at a very minimum. And, we desperately NEED ONE. 2-Years worth, & then we can ‘Franchise’ him, while deciding what to do as Winfield Jr. is going into the last year or two of his current remaining contract. Could be real tough keeping them BOTH, as ‘highest’ paid DB’s at that point. Anyway, I saw on Outkick’s new 2025 Mock Draft, that BOTH of them (Wilson & Sauce) want OUT of NY and have both requested trades. I think ya gotta at least try at “SAUCE,” since it is very rare seeing such ‘high-level’/ELITE guys at this particular position become available.
January 30th, 2025 at 12:57 pm
That “OSU-kid” is actually, a freaking STUD. I wouldn’t cry over it.
January 30th, 2025 at 1:11 pm
The Bucs are a long ways down the draft board. I’m pretty sure it’s going to have a lot to do with what talent is left. If the #2 receiver is on the board vs. the #9 edge rusher then the odds go way up.
January 30th, 2025 at 1:12 pm
Tell Buday to stop smoking weird stuff, seemes to me he has no clue about Bucs
January 30th, 2025 at 1:14 pm
WR is not a need – unless Chris Godwin leaves…
Fixed that for you Joe.
If Godwin is 100% healthy and is re-signed then you are correct.
Do you really believe Mike Evans, McMillan and Palmer are good enough in today’s NFL?
That is ridiculous.
January 30th, 2025 at 1:16 pm
Whoever thinks the Bucs don’t have a need for a receiver in the draft didn’t watch the 2024 season. Coen isn’t here anyone you have no idea what kind of production you’ll get from those below average backup. Plus this is the hamstring hub of the NFL.
January 30th, 2025 at 1:25 pm
The myopic Joe ?
LB3
January 30th, 2025 at 1:32 pm
The more film I see the more I think it should be Mike Green if he is there. Home run pick.
January 30th, 2025 at 2:41 pm
If a WR is CLEARLY the BPA on Jason’s board – its OK to select one in just about any round.
Otherwise – this draft needs to be very heavy on defense. Edge, CB and ILB should all be priorities in rds 1>3. Based on Whitehead’s no show performance last year – we need another talented safety as well…
January 30th, 2025 at 2:50 pm
Like all drafts the pick has to be a balance of need and available talent. WR is a need. Perhaps not a pressing need but if a team thinks they have chance at a blue chip guy at WR compared to what is available at other positions of need then they should pick him. Even if it is in the 1st round.
January 30th, 2025 at 3:05 pm
@ Pick
I agree but we know the draft will be determined by what happens in free agency…
– Godwin
– LVD
– Bredson/Hainsey
– Nelson/JTS
– Gains/Gholston
If Godwin does not return (and I hope he does) it may open the door to drafting a WR early.
January 30th, 2025 at 3:05 pm
Godwin may not recover from his injury, or he could sign with another team. ME13 could have another hammy year.
Without Godwin and Evans, the receiving corp isn’t great. JMac was inconsistent, Palmer has no hands and is a designated holing call, Shepard is a personal foul maker, and even Miller has the drops.
We will need some WR’s in the ’26 draft, we might be OK not drafting someone in ’25.
January 30th, 2025 at 3:19 pm
I’m in support of 100% defense draft if we are gonna keep Godwin and bring back Bredeson.
We need ILB but ideally also get back David & Dennis. We could use a defensive player at every level
January 30th, 2025 at 3:20 pm
Defense is where this draft needs to go. Edge looks deep this year as well. But if a stud is there in the 2nd it is always good to start looking for a tall strong Evans type of receiver for the future
January 30th, 2025 at 3:28 pm
Even if we drafted all defense how many could start and how many will end up playing special teams and how many many of them that are balling like starters will Bowles have sitting the bench for half the season something that Bowles does every single year. Bowles is scared to start rookies on his front
Every year fans talk like we’ll hit on 100% of the picks. Licht is not a wizard there will be a Logan hall or JTS type drafted or Braswell that is slow to develop. Still if this has to be an all defensive draft Bowles staff is not developing players and he’s not holding them accountable so he’s not worthy head coach.
January 30th, 2025 at 3:39 pm
But for 1st rd. you shouldn’t reach way down for a defensive player when an offensive player rated high is there. 1st round gets the most money so you get a player worth 1st rd money.
January 30th, 2025 at 4:29 pm
Famu Rattler Says:
Take our No# 4 TE and have him follow Baker all off season with balls in hand to be our Travis Kelce or our next Mike Evans. His speed with is better than most corners and safeties. His height, weight and athleticism in the open field will be like Vita Vea in the back field. Send him to mandatory Suh camp when not with Baker running routes. And for OC , let hire Thad Lewis. L(lets) G (Go) B(Bucs).
January 30th, 2025 at 4:40 pm
Famu Rattler Says:
Take our #4 TE have him follow Baker all off season with balls/route tree in hand. To get use to Baker’s throws. When not with Baker, make mandatory training with Suh. With his height, weight and speed make him our version of Travis Kelce or our next Mike Evans. No need to draft a WR, we can make our own. For OC, let hire Thad Lewis and keep the system we have now. L(ets) G(o) B(ucs).
January 30th, 2025 at 5:00 pm
Draft 7 defensive players…. The Bucs offense will be even better without “Duvallllll” in the building
January 30th, 2025 at 5:42 pm
The Bucs have three RBs with good hands, and three TEs with good hands. Godwin was the leading WR in the league when he was injured, and he is going to retire a Buc a few years down the road. Inside LB and then anywhere you want to go on defense. We can wait another couple of years for WRs.
January 30th, 2025 at 6:31 pm
Godwin or not the Bucs will not need a WR next season.
ME13 has tied Jerry Rice with 11 as in FFFFINNG ELEVEN straight 1000 yards season. We take him for granted. ME is 31 years old!!! He’s always going to be a deep threat, an intermediate threat, and short threat, at times unstoppable not because he runs by anybody, he is a decent route runner but that’s not his bread and butter either! The man is just bigger, more athletic, and more physical than DB’s. He’s now being discussed as approaching TRUE GREATNESS!
Jerry Rice started all 16 games at the age of 40 and got 1,211!!!
He started all 16 games at 41 had a sub 1000 season but still got a very respectable 869!
We’re talking over 800 yards when he was ten years older than ME is now!
I’m always respectful of the all time greats. That’s why I ALWAYS add the disclaimer when I compare Bucky to Barry, it’s only one year and I’m simply talking style a long way for Bucky to go to earn a comparison.
ME13 OTOH is there! He is one of the greats and is certainly in position to challenge the greatest if he too gets another ten years.
I know I’m preaching to the choir here but sometimes ya just gotta SHOUT ME’S PRAISES!!! Let’s avoid Joni Mitchell’s warning.
“Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you got ’til it’s gone?”
January 30th, 2025 at 6:38 pm
Knowing JL, PUNTER IS A PRIORITY. The bucs will trade up in the first round to draft a punter!
January 30th, 2025 at 6:50 pm
McMillan was fine for a rookie, maybe even pretty good late in the season. But the vast majority of his production was Liam Coen scheming him wide the eff open. He has to get stronger and do a better job making contested catches before he’s a real guy. He’s def not a “stud” yet.