The Tampa Bay Buccaneers boast a talented receiving corps. The Bucs pass catchers should be one of their greatest strengths this season.
Pro Football Focus’ Mike Renner continued to rank positional units around the NFL and turned his attention to each team’s receiving corps.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were ranked third on this list with their talented group of offensive weapons. This was one of the better showings for the Bucs throughout PFF’s rankings series.
It’s hard to argue with the Bucs placement on the list. There’s an argument they could have the best group of pass catchers in the league if Ronald Jones can prove himself as a receiver out of the backfield.
Here’s Renner’s take:
"With Cameron Brate getting a big money extension and a first-round pick invested in O.J. Howard, the Bucs are one of the few teams that boast two receiving threats at tight end. Add that pair to Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson, and Jameis Winston will have a full stable of weapons once again upon his return. Howard is the wild card of the group as he only ran 233 routes as a rookie, but his 1.85 yards per route was fifth best among all tight ends."
From the top down, the Buccaneers have four solid options at wideout. Mike Evans is a superstar and is one of the ten best in all of football. DeSean Jackson is still a dynamic threat and has a reputation as a game-breaking deep threat.
What puts the Buccaneers receivers over the top is their quality depth. Both Adam Humphries and Chris Godwin are quality options who don’t see as many targets as they probably deserve. Godwin has been a training camp standout and Humphries has been a hidden gem after signing as a UDFA in 2015.
The Buccaneers receiving targets don’t just stop there. Tampa Bay features both O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate. The duo may be the best one-two punch at tight end in the entire league.
Tampa Bay’s pass catchers are going to have to play at their best right out of the gates. Head coach Dirk Koetter will be leaning on his arsenal on the outside to bail out Fitzpatrick during the first three weeks of the season.
What are your thoughts on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiving corps? Can they help carry the offense early in the season?