Buccaneers: Five best wide receivers on the 2017 schedule
![Oct 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Mike Smith looks on prior to the game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports Oct 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Mike Smith looks on prior to the game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/bb38f81a1fd6f376155b9b6e70aa835c3317ca48938c858dc9ef41124017ff1e.jpg)
3. Odell Beckham Jr.
He is one of the most high-strung players in the NFL. His battle on the field with Josh Norman made headlines. Last season, he had a soap opera relationship with the sideline kicking net that went viral several times over. He punches walls and causes damage to other team’s locker rooms and tunnels. He also rapidly ascended to the role of dominant wide receiver. You may not like Odell Beckham Jr. (full disclosure: I don’t), but he is a tough player and one that can break open a game from anywhere on the field.
Games | Receiving | Rushing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Year | Age | Tm | Pos | No. | G | GS | Tgt | Rec | Yds | Y/R | TD | Lng | R/G | Y/G | Ctch% | Rush | Yds | TD | Lng | Y/A | Y/G | A/G | YScm | RRTD | Fmb | AV |
2014* | 22 | NYG | WR | 13 | 12 | 11 | 130 | 91 | 1305 | 14.3 | 12 | 80 | 7.6 | 108.8 | 70.0% | 7 | 35 | 0 | 13 | 5.0 | 2.9 | 0.6 | 1340 | 12 | 1 | 11 |
2015* | 23 | NYG | WR | 13 | 15 | 15 | 158 | 96 | 1450 | 15.1 | 13 | 87 | 6.4 | 96.7 | 60.8% | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3.0 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 1453 | 13 | 2 | 13 |
2016* | 24 | NYG | WR | 13 | 16 | 16 | 169 | 101 | 1367 | 13.5 | 10 | 75 | 6.3 | 85.4 | 59.8% | 1 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 9.0 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 1376 | 10 | 3 | 10 |
Career | 43 | 42 | 457 | 288 | 4122 | 14.3 | 35 | 87 | 6.7 | 95.9 | 9 | 47 | 0 | 13 | 5.2 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 4169 | 35 | 6 | 34 |
The numbers tell us all we need to know about this young player. He’s really, really good. There is a reason why Eli Manning has targeted him no less than 130 times in a season. Beckham has been over 1,300 yards every year and has always put up double-digit touchdowns. He has already gone over the 100-yard mark on 19 separate occasions, including a four-game streak in 2014 and a six-game streak in 2015. It’s hard to say anything else but wow.
Beckham has faced the Bucs once in his career. That was one of the 19 occasions, as he caught nine passes for 105 yards that day. Adding Brandon Marshall will open things up even more for him. October 1 at Raymond James will be a huge test for the Bucs secondary.