Chris Godwin Jr. has to be feeling some type of way as his production slips to career lows, despite being expected to see his role increase following the departure of Mike Evans. Instead, the veteran wide receiver is left frustrated as he hasn't been the security blanket and go-to target in crucial situations that he's become accustomed to during his Tampa Bay Buccaneers career.
Despite Emeka Egbuka also having a pretty underwhelming season, Godwin is still second behind him in receptions and actually out-targeted by the Ohio State second year pro 49 to 29. Those 29 targets, by the way, are the same as Cade Otton, who has been one of the worst tight ends in the league again this season.
Godwin is catching 79.3 percent of his targets with a success rate above 55%, and his catch rate is easily the best on the Buccaneers of any wide receiver - by more than 22 percentage points above Egbuka in second. So it's inexplicable that Zac Robinson isn't doing more to ensure his most reliable wide receiver gets more touches.
Buccaneers need to get Chris Godwin Jr. more involved
With Emeka Egbuka in the concussion protocol and listed as doubtful for Week 7, Chris Godwin Jr. is going to be even more important than ever against the rival Carolina Panthers this Sunday with Baker Mayfield finally coming back from a multi-week injury. And against Will Lee and one of the top 10 statistical pass defenses in the NFL, Godwin is going to have to step up and play like a true 1.
Because, in all honesty, even though Godwin has been efficient and getting open, he has been playing more like a 2 than a 1. He's not generating explosive plays, and he's been pretty pedestrian with the ball in his hands, compared to the juice the other players like youngsters Tez Johnson and Ted Hurst are showing when they get the rock.
Chris Godwin can talk about being frustrated with his role, and he's honestly right that Zac Robinson is totally screwing him up. The competence of the Bucs coaching staff is a problem. But Godwin also needs to create his own luck here by being more of a playmaker, stepping out of Mike Evans' shadow, and really grabbing games by the scruff of their neck. He has a chance to meet a tough challenge and rise above it vs. the Panthers.
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