Might The Bucs Nonetheless Draft A WR In An Early Spherical?

Because the Bucs discovered the arduous manner final season, depth is essential at each place. It’s nearly not possible to have nice depth at each spot, that’s simply the character of the sport, however realizing what makes a group work finest goes a great distance with constantly protecting it within the combine for a title.

Everyone knows that if the Bucs wish to compete for an additional Tremendous Bowl, modifications should be made on the defensive aspect with personnel. There may very well be a brand new starter at security subsequent to Antoine Winfield Jr, at cornerback on the other aspect of Zyon McCollum, doubtlessly two new starters at inside linebacker, and a brand new outdoors linebacker reverse Yaya Diaby.

Bucs Ought to Take into account Including A WR Early Even If Godwin Is Again

That may make sure the duo of Mike Evans and Godwin performs collectively for a minimum of another season as Jalen McMillan continues to construct off a powerful rookie season. The very fact of the matter, although, is that Evans might be 32 initially of the season and on the final yr of his deal, whereas Godwin turns 29 on the finish of subsequent week.

Bucs WRs Sterling Shepard and Chris Godwin and QB Baker Mayfield – Photograph by: USA Right now

Projections by Pewter Report’s personal Josh Queipo has Godwin signing a three-year deal. We don’t know the way lengthy Evans will proceed to maintain taking part in, and even taking part in at excessive degree. However do the Bucs wish to head into 2026 with out Evans, a 30-year outdated Godwin and McMillan with no assurances behind them?

On paper, Godwin and McMillan aren’t a nasty 1-2 mixture within the occasion that Evans decides to retire after this season. McMillan took awhile to going, however his streak of seven touchdowns in 5 video games to finish the season places him in an ideal spot in yr two.

That’s a superb begin, however Tampa Bay will want extra weapons for Baker Mayfield to throw to. Even with Evans, Godwin and McMillan, that shouldn’t cease the Bucs from choosing a large receiver – even with their first-round choose or a second-round choose on Day 2 of the NFL Draft.

Since Jason Licht took over because the Bucs normal supervisor in 2014, he has solely drafted one huge receiver within the first spherical. That was his first ever draft choose, which was Mike Evans, at No. 7 total. Licht has by no means drafted a large receiver within the second spherical with Tampa Bay, and his solely third-round picks at receiver have been Godwin and McMillan.

Bucs TE Payne Durham and WR Jalen McMillan – Photograph by: Cliff Welch P/R

Tampa Bay has nonetheless drafted huge receivers all through the years, however they’ve been within the fourth spherical and on. A few of these gamers have had an influence on the group in a technique or one other. Justin Watson, a fifth-round choose in 2018 was an necessary particular groups participant for Tampa Bay and was on the Tremendous Bowl-winning group in 2020. Scotty Miller, a sixth-rounder in 2019, had one of many greatest performs in group historical past along with his landing within the 2020 NFC championship recreation and likewise received a championship with the Bucs.

However so far as sustainable, long-term starters for the Bucs, there haven’t been many as a result of success that Evans and Godwin have had in Tampa Bay. Given the state of the group, although, and the age of his finest two huge receivers, this draft feels just like the time to take a shot at one other influence receiver.

Positive, the Bucs might wait and do that within the daft subsequent yr. But one might argue that it could be finest to get forward of the scenario. McMillan is an instance that generally it takes extra time to regulate and develop. If the Bucs are out in entrance of the receiver place as an alternative of ready for Evans to retire or Godwin to ultimately retire or transfer on, they’ll have an opportunity at having a high expertise with a season or two of expertise able to go. Having three high quality receivers all underneath contract, with two on rookie offers may very well be very helpful to Tampa Bay transferring ahead.

WRs Linked To Bucs In Mock Draft

Missouri WR Luther Burden III – Photograph by: USA Right now

Is there even a chance {that a} high quality receiver is the appropriate selection for the Bucs at choose No. 19? Mock drafts are dropping left and proper in the meanwhile as draft protection ramps up.

Daniel Jeremiah, an analyst for NFL.com, is held in excessive regard in relation to his mock drafts. He dropped his second mock draft had has the Bucs taking Arizona huge receiver Tetaiora McMillan with their first spherical choose. That is what he stated:

“McMillan could go earlier in Round 1, but Tampa Bay would be a perfect landing spot. Chris Godwin is due to become a free agent, and Mike Evans can’t play forever, can he?”

One other mock draft on NFL.com from Eric Edholm sees Texas huge receiver Matthew Golden as a chance for Tampa Bay within the first spherical. Right here was his response about it:

“If the Bucs move on from impending free agent Chris Godwin, they’ll likely want to add a little more firepower at receiver. Golden essentially can play the Godwin role.”

Every of those concepts are predicated on Godwin not coming again, and Missouri’s Luther Burden III is one other first-round receiver that has been linked to the Bucs within the first spherical. However even when Godwin returns, that shouldn’t cease the Bucs from going after one other huge receiver and constructing that expertise regardless of their wants on protection. There’s loads of out there expertise in free company and the opposite rounds within the draft to get that achieved.