Let’s look at the big picture for the Buccaneers
Top edge rushers, like Shaquil Barrett, come at a premium. There job is to put pressure on the league’s most important position, the quarterback. Barrett is also dynamic because he can also play linebacker.
On the other hand, the wide receiver position is saturated with a lot of talent, and while Chris Godwin is a top receiver in the league, the Buccaneers would be able to fill that position easier than Shaquil Barrett’s. This is especially true since Tom Brady is under center.
Again, this is no disrespect to Godwin, but the Buccaneers should put the franchise tag on Godwin, which is worth close to $19 million, and give Barrett a big contract.
Both Chris Godwin and Shaquil Barrett want to return, and hopefully they will be able to restructure some player’s contracts in order to keep them both, but it’s probably unlikely. The only way both of them stay on the team is if one of them takes the franchise tag.
Both of these players deserve big contracts because they have earned them. Let’s see if Jason Licht can get these deals done.