The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a wide receiver room that is still developing. They are deep enough to absorb the hit of losing Mike Evans, but replacing his deep threat production could be the problem.
Free agency should provide the opportunity to find a field-stretching pass-catcher, but the Bucs shouldn't overspend on anyone, given the fact that their role in the offense will be limited.
Calvin Austin is set to become a free agent. The 2023 4th-round pick of the Steelers hasn't exactly lived up to expectations, but there could be hope in Tampa Bay.
Buccaneers should kick the tires on former Steelers WR Calvin Austin for a deep threat option
Austin has averaged just 22.9 yards per game over his three seasons with Pittsburgh, but can we truly assess his development as a failure, considering the quarterbacks and offense he has been stuck in? Aaron Rodgers was once a great QB, once.
Where Austin could make his impact is as a deep threat receiver. Tampa lost that when Evans left. Now they need to replace it so that Emeka Egbuka can develop further. With Evans gone, this is now Chris Godwin's unit, but it still needs someone to stretch the field.
The Tampa offense could exploit defenses with Austin out of the slot. He is quick and elusive, but the real threat is breaking behind linebackers and safety coverages. He can pull coverage off other receivers with his speed alone.
The player who would benefit the most is Baker Mayfield. The Bucs quarterback needs to turn the offense around; losing his top WR hurts, but he could do a lot with the speed and quickness that Austin would bring.
Austin is far from perfect. His development, again, hasn't been good. He had opportunities in a Steelers offense that didn't have top receivers and failed to take advantage of the opportunities. Last season, he suffered through bad and timely drops.
If the WR was perfect, he wouldn't hit free agency coming out of year three. There is work to be done, but many players thrive and get better with a different system, coaching staff, and approach. A cheap option given the likely higher overpays for Marquise Brown or DeAndre Hopkins, Austin could be an under-the-radar addition that makes more of a difference than expected.
Another player to keep an eye on is Tyreek Hill. We can't jump into this now while he is still rehabbing from the horrible knee injury early in 2025, but he is starting to do light jogging and is ahead of schedule. Hill has vowed to continue his career, and staying in Florida could be preferred.