Buccaneers training camp battle breakdowns: Third wide receiver

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 18: Jameis Winston
ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 18: Jameis Winston
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 24: Head coach Dirk Koetter watches a play agianst the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 24, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 24: Head coach Dirk Koetter watches a play agianst the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 24, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

The Prediction

So what is a coach like Dirk Koetter to do? There are legitimate arguments on both sides of this one. When you get right down to it, the ceiling of Chris Godwin is higher than that of Adam Humphries. Just by looking at the numbers we can see that he is more explosive. But that would totally discount the work that Humphries has put in. He is a trustworthy target, especially on third down, and deserves consideration as well.

It is going to come down to performance in the preseason and the comfort factor. Winston’s feelings will carry a lot of weight on this. That won’t be public, but you can bet that the franchise quarterback will be consulted. Even in the preseason, there is only one football to go around. There are only so many plays that will be run. There simply won’t be enough reps out there to overtake the incumbent, so Humphries will retain his job come week one.

Next: Ranking the Bucs secondary in the division

That being said, Godwin’s time will come sooner rather than later. Koetter will run him out there when he wants to spread the field out. He will make “splash” plays, and it’s not realistic to see him move up the depth chart by week five or six. But to start, it will be Humphries.

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