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5 Receivers the Buccaneers Need to Consider Now

By David Harrison

Aug 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) and quarterback Jameis Winston (3) celebrate touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Buccaneers, 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) and quarterback Jameis Winston (3) celebrate touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Buccaneers, 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 15, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Chris Givens (13) carries the ball during the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Chris Givens (13) carries the ball during the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Chris Givens, Free Agent

The Bucs are missing speed. As a speed specialist who ran a 4.41 40-yard dash when he came out of Wake Forest in 2012, Chris Givens is a relatively young receiver who has had some success in the NFL while never catching on with a single franchise.

After spending the first three years of his career with the St. Louis Rams, Givens was traded to the Baltimore Ravens in 2015 and subsequently released after the year was over.

Signed by the Eagles during the off-season he was again waived before the year began leaving him without a team at the start of the season.

At 6’ 0” he isn’t the towering presence the team is used to on the outside, but he’s got the speed to get off the line and run under just about any pass the strong-armed Jameis Winston can throw.

The 26-year old would be a cheap signing off the street and could immediately play in specific situations where his speed is used to push the deep coverage up field allowing more space underneath for tight end Cameron Brate, receiver Mike Evans, and slot receiver Adam Humphries.

As an added bonus, Givens can even make some plays himself and given the right coaching and time to learn the system.

In his short career he’s totaled 107 catches for 1,779 yards and five touchdown catches.

While playing sparingly in his four years of action he’s also totaled eight catches of 40-yards or more and 33 of 20-yards or more.

Louis Murphy, the injured veteran many are looking to, to provide that vertical stretch has just 10 catches for more than 40-yards and in his seven-year career has 34 plays over 20-yards.

If the Buccaneers are willing to wait, and wait, and wait some more for production like that, then certainly they can take a chance on a young talent like Givens.

There’s really no downside to this move in my opinion as the team has plenty of injured vets and not enough youthful energy on the offense.

In addition to the potential boost his speed could bring to the passing game, Givens has 28 career kick returns for a 22.9 yards per return average and zero fumbles. Considering the struggles this team has had in the return game over the last few years – and last week – this area would be just one more he could potentially impact the team early while learning for the final stretch of the season.

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