Buccaneers should not sign any veteran free agent wide receivers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been linked to at least a couple of skilled veteran wide receivers that find themselves still looking for a new NFL home. However, the Buccaneers should stay put when it comes to the wide receiver position.

Ever since Tom Brady arrived in Tampa Bay, the Bucs have suddenly become an NBA-like “superteam” when it comes to veteran free agents looking for short-term deals in hopes of obtaining that elusive Super Bowl ring that players so desperately covet. It’s easy to see why, considering they have the greatest quarterback of all time, and the proof is in the pudding. Their rosters the last two seasons, including their 2020 Super Bowl championship team, resembled the 2014 NFL All-Pro team. That’s perfectly fine though, Brady may play like he’s immortal, but that doesn’t mean he’ll play forever. The Buccaneers should try and go all-in and capitalize on the slowly-closing window, especially with Brady set to be a free agent after this season.

That being said, it’s a double-edged sword. The Bucs can’t go overboard with this approach, or else they’ll risk falling back into NFL obscurity if and when he leaves. They have to prepare in an attempt to sustain success. That brings us to the wide receiver room.

Mike Evans should end up in the Hall of Fame when all is said and done with his career. Chris Godwin is about a solid of a number two receiver as you can get, and is a pass-catching machine. As the number three spot, with Antonio Brown (finally) officially out of the picture, the Buccaneers decided to bring in Russell Gage, a player who was hand-picked by Brady.

After that, they have a crowded room that provides solid depth, especially with guys like Scotty Miller and Cyril Grayson. That’s just the tip of the iceberg too.

So with that being the case, why would the Bucs bring in a wide receiver like Julio Jones or Odell Beckham Jr. that they’ve been connected to? Sure, they’d be an upgrade, on paper, but what about on the field?

Yes, Godwin will be missing some time coming off of a knee injury. Do you know who else is in a similar but worse scenario? OBJ. So, while he’s ultra-talented, heck he caught a touchdown in this past Super Bowl, but throwing money from the limited cap space they have to work with would be counter-productive. As for Jones, he’ll also eventually be inducted into Canton, but his health problems at his age are another risk the Bucs can’t afford. The potential production isn’t worth it at this point in his career.

Now while that was more pertaining to Beckham and Jones, it applies to any receiver potentially available. The Buccaneers have other needs they should fill first before overstocking the cupboard at receiver. Yes, it’s true you can’t have enough weapons in today’s NFL, however, it has to be within reason. The Bucs have young studs, particularly Grayson, who have shown signs of promise, and bringing in one of these wide-outs could stunt their growth.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signing a name-brand wide receiver for Brady to throw to does sound exciting, especially in the dog days of Summer. However, it isn’t just unnecessary, it also isn’t practical either.