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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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 18: Wide receiver Chris Godwin #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball as he is defended by cornerback Curtis Riley #35 of the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium on November 18, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The New York Giants won 38-35. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 18: Wide receiver Chris Godwin #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball as he is defended by cornerback Curtis Riley #35 of the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium on November 18, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The New York Giants won 38-35. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

Chris Godwin, analytical darling

Even as a rookie, Chris Godwin has been extremely efficient for the Buccaneers, ranking tenth among all receivers in DVOA back in 2017, valued at 20.5 percent over the league average. This means that if Godwin had been given more opportunities as a rookie, then we would have heard his name called much more than we did for positive reasons.

Last year, however, Godwin saw his DVOA drop to just over one percent above the league average of efficient plays. The quarterback carousel from a year ago and the play calling of Dirk Koetter likely did not help Godwin a year ago either as he ranked 43rd in the league among qualifying receivers.

This year, however, Godwin sits atop the league in efficient and successful plays for the Buccaneers, ranking as the best receiver in DVOA as over 61 percent of Godwin’s plays are being evaluated as successful outcomes. The third year receiver is also catching 79 percent of his targets, ranking him fifth in the league and just two percentage points behind Tyler Lockett and Mike Thomas who have the highest catch rate in the league.

Next. Buccaneers have an Offensive Player of the Year candidate in Jameis Winston. dark

According to PFF, Godwin is grading out at an elite level, with an overall grade above 90 (this ties him with Shaquil Barrett for the highest grade on the Buccaneers). He is the highest graded wide receiver in the NFL through the first four weeks of the season.

Both the box score and analytical rankings show that Chris Godwin should be considered among the top of the league and as an elite wide receiver. On pace for over 100 catches, 1,500 yards, and double-digit touchdowns, Godwin is a name worth monitoring for the rest of the season for the pewter and red.

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