Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Breaking down depth at wide receiver

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 26: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes a catch in front of Robert Alford #23 of the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 26: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes a catch in front of Robert Alford #23 of the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 16: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball after catching a first half pass against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 16: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball after catching a first half pass against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

The returning receivers

The Buccaneers, thankfully, have a top-five receiver in the entire league in Mike Evans. Ever since Evans was the first round pick of Tampa Bay in 2014, he has done nothing but consistently made plays and found himself on the receiving end of countless deep balls. Expect the chemistry between Winston and Evans to be the same in 2019 and for Evans to put up yet another 1,000 yard season for the pewter and red.

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Chris Godwin improved from year-one to year-two for the Buccaneers. During his rookie campaign, Godwin recorded 525 yards and a score on 34 catches; not bad numbers for a first year in the NFL. Last year, Godwin took a massive jump, catching 59 passes for 842 yards and seven scores in Tampa Bay.

Now in year-three, Arians has big plans for Godwin, who will be deployed in a variety of different ways for the Buccaneers. After the departure of Humphries, Godwin will take over some snaps in the slot for offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich’s system, and will continue to see deep shots outside the numbers as well; it could be a monster year in 2019 for Godwin.

The Buccaneers are also returning receivers Justin Watson and Bobo Wilson this year as well. Combined the two have tallied only six total catches for less than 100 yards and one touchdown. It will not come easy for either of them to see the field this year either after a coaching change and the addition of other talented wide receivers. Practice squad receiver K.J. Brent returns to the team in 2019 as well.

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