When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on the clock in the 2027 NFL Draft, they need to select a wide receiver. And not just any wide receiver, but a prototypical X who can provide a big reliable target for Baker Mayfield and threaten defenses downfield and in the red zone.
Tampa Bay is still reeling from the departure of Mike Evans, and the current wide receiver room has seriously underperformed so far this season. Partly due to the lack of a true WR1, the Buccaneers rank dead-last in passing offense.
Luckily, several wide receiver prospects in the upcoming draft class fit exactly what Tampa Bay is missing. The Bucs need to find a way to land one of them.
4 WR prospects Buccaneers could target in 2027 NFL Draft
Note: I’m leaving Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith off this list because the Buccaneers have no realistic shot of drafting him. Smith is a generational talent that is virtually guaranteed to be selected within the top three picks, and Tampa Bay won’t have a shot to get their hands on him. But believe me, in a perfect world, he’d be at the top of this list. Now let’s get to the realistic options.
Charlie Becker, Indiana
Charlie Becker is widely viewed as the draft’s second-best receiver after Smith. At 6-foot-4 and 208 pounds, he’s got the combination of size, speed and physicality Tampa Bay is looking for.
“Becker is primarily used as a vertical threat, and there are few college players who can match his straight-ahead speed. But he is more than just a threat with his legs; he's similar to an NBA rebounder with the way he wins 50-50 passes.”
That sounds like a player who could transform the Buccaneers’ offense. If he somehow falls into their laps, Tampa Bay should sprint to the podium and secure themselves a game-changing receiving threat.
Nick Marsh, Indiana
Up next is another Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver with the tools to become Tampa Bay’s next WR1. Nick Marsh stands at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds. He’s not only elite at the catch point, but he’s also a big-play threat with the ball in his hands after the catch. Marsh is arguably the most well-rounded receiver in this draft class.
“Built like a running back, Marsh's separators are his frame, competitiveness and power at the catch point. His strong releases at the line help him work through and steer clear of press coverage prior to making catches. And he's excellent after the catch, turning underneath catches into big gains as defenders bounce off his frame. Marsh is also an outstanding run blocker who isn't afraid of doing the dirty work inside of the box.”
KJ Duff, Rutgers
At 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds, KJ Duff has a massive frame that makes him a matchup nightmare for just about any defender lined up against him. Duff led all of college football with 22 contested catches in 2025.
He recorded 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns last year, and was on pace to shatter those numbers this year, posting 774 yards and nine touchdowns through just seven games. But his incredible season was cut short due to a season-ending ankle surgery, which could cause him to fall in the draft and allow the Buccaneers could reap the benefits.
He’s been compared to Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, who similarly wins with his big frame and ball skills.
Duff is a natural X receiver and a red-zone threat waiting to happen. Baker Mayfield would absolutely love throwing it his way.
Cam Coleman, Texas
Cam Coleman rounds out the list as a prototypical X receiver who should be ready to contribute at the NFL level from day one. He stands at 6-foot-3 and 204 pounds with a reputation as a physical route runner and quarterback-friendly target.
“A lanky and long-striding target, Coleman is a no-nonsense route runner who quickly drives off the line of scrimmage when given free releases. He has routine hands and an extended catch radius that help him snatch the ball out of the air regardless of where it's located. And Coleman has an expansive route tree, which makes him a target at all three levels of the field.”
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