Chris Godwin poised for monster year for Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ head coach Bruce Arians spoke to the media yesterday and did not temper expectations for third-year wide receiver Chris Godwin.

Well, this writer has been proven wrong. After avidly stating that third-year wide receiver Chris Godwin could not play in the slot, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ head coach Bruce Arians stated to the contrary. Arians and the Buccaneers have big plans for the 6’2 wide receiver out of Penn State this season.

During his time with the Arizona Cardinals, Arians used big-bodied wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald in the slot, producing some of his best seasons in his 30s. It looks as though size ain’t nothing but a number as Arians wants to use Godwin in the same capacity this season stating, “He’s never coming off the field” (via Buccaneers).

It looks like Arians is looking to deploy four towering options for quarterback Jameis Winston to throw to, including Mike Evans and Breshad Perriman on the outside, O.J. Howard as his tight end, and after this revelation, Godwin in the slot. If Winston cannot succeed in this pass-heavy, vertical offense under Arians and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, then he may not succeed anywhere.

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Godwin is Arians’ new Fitzgerald and is set to have a monster 2019 campaign and take another leap in his third season after taking a massive jump in year-two. Looking like a fantasy football sleeper, Godwin is looking at a heavy load; speaking to the media, Arians spoke extremely highly of him:

"“I think Godwin is going to be close to a 100 catch guy, especially because I think he can play in the slot” (via Buccaneers)."

Last season, Godwin caught 59 passes for 842 yard and seven touchdowns, up from 525 yards on 34 catches and one score from his rookie season. Do not sleep on Godwin to hit over 1,000 yards and potentially equal his touchdowns from a year ago.

Poised for a monster season under Arians, Godwin looks to be deployed in a number of offensive sets for the Buccaneers and be a major focal point of the Tampa Bay offense operated by Leftwich. Tampa Bay may have already have found their replacement for the departed Adam Humphries, and they did not have to look far to find him.