Buccaneers’ latest wide receiver signing could be key to replacing Mike Evans

After losing Mike Evans in free agency, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quietly had a major hole to fill at X wide receiver.

The team already has a strong wide receiver group in Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr., and Jalen McMillan, but none are natural fits at the X.

Wide receiver was emerging as a position the Buccaneers could surprisingly address in the 2026 NFL Draft, but the team’s latest free agent signing may make that unnecessary.

Buccaneers sign David Sills V to help fill Mike Evans’ role at X receiver

The Buccaneers announced the signing of David Sills V on Tuesday. Sills entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and has appeared in just 30 career games.

He’s bounced around the league, but found some stability in Atlanta last season, playing in all 17 games for the first time in his career. He finished with 18 receptions on 36 targets for 191 yards and two touchdowns and also contributed on special teams.

Sills also brings familiarity with the offense. His offensive coordinator in Atlanta was Zac Robinson, who now holds the same role in Tampa Bay. Robinson saw enough in his time working with Sills to bring him to the Buccaneers, which is an encouraging endorsement. 

At 6-foot-3, 211 pounds, Sills has the prototypical size to play the X receiver role. At this point in his career, he’s never going to become a full-time starter, but he can step in and make a crucial play when it’s needed most. 

The Bucs saw that firsthand last season when Sills made a clutch 4th-and-14 catch to keep a game-winning drive alive, helping the Falcons secure a 29-28 win over Tampa Bay.

Sills is still just 29 years old and may have untapped potential at the NFL level.

It is admittedly overly optimistic to look back nearly a decade to his college production, but it offers insight into the player he can be. Sills earned First-Team All-American honors and led the FBS in touchdown receptions in 2017.

The NFL is a different challenge, and Sills has learned that throughout his career, but that version of him still exists.

He offers the size and physicality that the Bucs were lacking in the wide receiver room, along with experience in the scheme, and he can prove to be a solid addition to round out the depth chart.