The Pewter Plank
FanSided

4 players who could step up as third receiver for Buccaneers

By Jamil King

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 21: O.J. Howard #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signals a first down after making a 24-yard reception during the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns on October 2, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers won 26-23 in overtime. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 21: O.J. Howard #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signals a first down after making a 24-yard reception during the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns on October 2, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers won 26-23 in overtime. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 29: Justin Watson #17 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs back to the locker room after pregame warmups 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: Justin Watson #17 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs back to the locker room after pregame warmups against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images) /

WR Justin Watson

Justin Watson was a fifth round pick in the 2018 draft under the previous regime in Tampa, yet he earned his keep this summer and stuck on the roster. The tall receiver doesn’t seem like the prototypical slot receiver, though.

Last season Watson appeared in 12 games for the pewter and red, but didn’t do much of anything. Coming into the season, it looked like he was going to have an excellent opportunity at getting regular snaps with the departure of Humphries; so far, that has not come to for him.

It looks like the Bucs view Watson as more of an outside guy than inside in this pass-heavy offensive scheme. With the lack of production so far, though, maybe the Bucs decide to switch it up a bit.

To get Watson in the game more, you could see some of Chris Godwin lined up in the slot more often, which could also, in turn, get him better matchups. In his four years at Penn, Watson went over 1,000 yards three years in a row; while that was in the Ivy League, he was still productive.

It is interesting to see that the draft pick has received minimal playing time. With all the scrutiny the fans have had over some of general manager Jason Licht’s picks, it seems like Watson could soon be joining the group of wasted picks.

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