Continuing our preview of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster, today we’re looking at the wide receiver group.
There’s a lot of promise in this group, and the Buccaneers have done well through the draft and free-agency to establish it.
Heading into 2018, it’ll be on the receivers and their quarterback Jameis Winston to build on some of the late success they had last year to try and realize the playoff hopes they had entering 2017.
First, let’s take a look at the names already under contract for the 2018 NFL Season.
Wide Receivers projected to the 2018 Roster
Mike Evans (71 receptions, 1,001 yards, 5 touchdowns)
DeSean Jackson (50 receptions, 668 yards, 3 touchdowns)
Chris Godwin (34 receptions, 525 yards, 1 touchdown)
Freddie Martino (5 receptions, 96 yards, 0 touchdowns)
Bobo Wilson (1 reception, 18 yards, 1 touchdown)
Jake Lampman (no stats)
Devin Lucien (no stats)
For the Buccaneers, this is the deepest their receiver room has been in recent memory and possibly ever.
Yesterday, I commented on a report put out by the Pewter Report which quoted Evans’ agent as stating the star receiver planned to play out his team option this coming season in hopes for a bigger pay day prior to the 2019 NFL Season.
Jackson may have had a down season in his first with the Bucs, but more work and a healthier Winston should help solve some of those issues.
The former free-agent prize carries an $11 Million cap hit this year and a $10 Million one in 2019. Only difference is, his 2019 number carries no dead money with it.
So, getting it going this year means a lot for both of Tampa’s star wideouts as it impacts the employment of each in 2019.
Chris Godwin stood out as a rookie, and in the games missed by Evans he even stepped up as a starter.
The third-round pick in 2017 certainly showed he should pan out to be a very successful addition to the team, and many are excited to see what he can do in year two.
Beyond those three, Bobo Wilson carries a lot of raw potential and Freddie Martino represents the experienced guy in the deeper part of the depth chart.
Lucien and Lampman are camp and practice squad guys who could fight their way into position to move up should injury strike as it so often does.
Overall, a solid group which allows the Buccaneers to focus elsewhere while staying acutely aware of opportunities to get even better in the deeper parts of the roster.