Who will Buccaneers fans see lead the team in receiving? That depends on Tom Brady
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have already begun meeting privately and it’s clear that Tom Brady wants the opportunity to work with his teammates and gain chemistry before the start of the 2020 season.
It raises an interesting question, though, when we look at the Buccaneers roster this year: Who will be the favorite receiving targets for Brady? After all, this is the most talented wide receiver core that Brady has had in his entire 20-year career in the league.
Here’s our prediction for the top five Buccaneers receiving targets for Brady this season.
5. Rob Gronkowski
You can’t talk about Tom Brady’s favorite receiving targets and not mention Rob Gronkowski.
Gronkowski isn’t coming out of retirement to sit on the sideline and though he’ll likely be asked to do quite a bit of blocking rather than receiving, it should be fully expected that Brady looks for ways to get his friend involved in the passing game.
Gronk still has solid athleticism and hands, which could make him that ‘safety net’ option for Brady over the course of the season, especially early on when the offense is still taking shape.
4. Tyler Johnson
He may be a rookie, but Tyler Johnson is going to make an impact for the Buccaneers in 2020.
He may not begin the season as a starter, but I believe you’ll see him play plenty of snaps and that his playing time will be amplified as the year progresses.
Johnson is a play-maker.
He’s a guy who isn’t afraid to go up and get the ball and I’d fully expect Brady to utilize his skill set and find a way to get the rookie involved as he takes the next step in his career.
3. O.J. Howard
Are you surprised to see this name on the list? Well, you shouldn’t be.
O.J. Howard hasn’t had the type of career that many Buccaneers fans had hoped for when the organization took him in the first-round a few years ago. Well, with veteran Brady at the helm, he’s about to see his production exponentially increase.
Brady is going to use his tight ends and he’s going to get the ball out quick. That’s going to open up opportunities for Howard- who has good athleticism- to catch the ball in the flats and make plays. Look for Howard to have the best season of his career this year and it will all be because of Brady’s facilitation.
2. Chris Godwin
Chris Godwin is a guy who can play anywhere across the field. He can make plays and is in a ‘money year.’
You’re going to see the young and talented receiver used quite a bit, especially in underneath routes. Brady will look to get the ball out quick to his play-makers and Godwin is a guy who will be targeted quite a bit.
You also should expect there to be a little ‘respect factor’ when it comes to the two considering that Godwin gave up his No. 12 jersey for Brady and that will lead to on-the-field chemistry and a little bit of a ‘favor treatment’ in terms of targets.
1. Mike Evans
You just can’t beat the production, efficiency and effectiveness of Mike Evans.
Evans, now a veteran WR, has been one of the mainstays for the Buccaneers over the course of this last half-decade and I have a feeling he and Brady are going to get along well.
Brady has played with very few wide receivers with the talent that Evans possesses. Honestly, Randy Moss may be the only one.
That being said, Brady is going to appreciate having a guy like Evans who can make him look better and, as a result, the two are going to form quite the bond over the course of the season.
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