The Pewter Plank
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ComPewter Analysis: Time to rank Buccaneers Chris Godwin among elite

By Cory Kinnan

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 29: Chris Godwin #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs past Clay Matthews #52 of the Los Angeles Rams to score a touchdown in the second quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 29: Chris Godwin #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs past Clay Matthews #52 of the Los Angeles Rams to score a touchdown in the second quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 29: Chris Godwin #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates his run with O.J. Howard #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 29: Chris Godwin #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates his run with O.J. Howard #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images) /

Box Score Surfing

Statistically, Godwin is tied for the sixth most catches in the league with 26 catches, including 12 on Sunday in the Bucs’ victory over the Rams. However, Godwin has those 26 catches on significantly less targets than those above him; through the first four games, Godwin has been targeted by quarterback Jameis Winston just 34 times.

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Comparatively, Keenan Allen, Julio Jones, and Cooper Kupp all have over 30 catches on the season, but have also seen over 40 targets. Godwin is just two yards short of Kupp, who currently ranks second in the league in receiving yard; Allen is first in the league with 452 yards.

Third in the league, Godwin has tallied 386 yards through the first four games on the season, even with his limited targets. The third year receiver is tied for second in the entire league in receptions over 20 yards, with Allen as the only receiver with more of these big plays.

Both Godwin and Mike Evans are tied amongst the top of the league in touchdowns with four scores apiece as well. In his third year in the league, Godwin has taken yet another jump for the Buccaneers, on pace for over 1,500 yards, 104 catches, and 16 touchdowns.

The box score, however, does not tell the whole story as analytics have now infiltrated the way that we interpret a receiver’s performance and impact on the field. Just how good has Godwin been for the Buccaneers this season? The box score shows he is a top five receiver right now, but analytics show an even bigger jump.

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