The 2024 NFL Draft is quickly approaching and due to free company in the course of March, we are able to slim down a number of the Bucs’ draft wants this yr.
Though the Bucs spent many of the offseason both re-signing their prime free brokers or bringing in gamers to positions of want, it shouldn’t preclude them from drafting a participant on the identical place. A particular instance for that is at broad receiver.
Tampa Bay ought to really feel rather more snug concerning the broad receiver place after getting Mike Evans again, nevertheless, they’ve some questions on WR3 and likewise the way forward for the place past this season.
Florida State WR Keon Coleman – Picture by: USA Right this moment
In a recent article that we additionally mentioned on the Pewter Report Podcast, Scott Reynolds got here up with a Bucs All-Offense 7-Spherical Mock Draft. The primary two picks have been Florida State broad receiver Keon Coleman and Malachi Corley, a large receiver out of Western Kentucky. Whereas it’s unlikely that they’ll go together with a completely offensive draft this April, what in the event that they drafted two broad receivers in an effort to really bolster the place?
Basic supervisor Jason Licht is not any stranger to doubling up on a place. In 2018 he drafted cornerbacks M.J. Stewart and Carlton Davis III within the second spherical. A yr later he took cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting in spherical two adopted by present Jamel Dean in spherical three.
In 2020 Licht took two linebackers late with Ok.J. Britt in spherical 5 and Grant Stuard in spherical seven. And in 2022 Licht didn’t hesitate to pick out two tight ends with Cade Otton as a fourth-rounder and Ko Kieft within the sixth.
Giving The Bucs Competitors
Drafting two broad receivers would actually spherical out the broad receiver room and particularly push second-year participant Trey Palmer. With Liam Coen as the brand new offensive coordinator, Tampa Bay is predicted to play in additional three-wide receiver, one-tight finish personnel groupings. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are effectively established as a pair of 1,000-yard receivers, however the third broad receiver in Tampa Bay turns into rather more essential than in latest seasons on account of Coen’s propensity to make use of three-receiver units.
Bucs WR Trey Palmer – Picture by: USA Right this moment
The staff launched veteran Russell Gage this offseason, in order that leaves Palmer together with Deven Thompkins and Rakim Jarrett as the following gamers on the depth chart. Palmer confirmed flashes as a rookie with 39 catches for 385 yards and three touchdowns. He added one other three catches for 88 yards and a rating within the postseason.
Moments like Palmer’s four-catch, 84-yard and one landing efficiency in Week 17 in opposition to New Orleans, or his 56-yard catch-and-run for a landing within the Wild Card win over Philadelphia reveals his potentials.
However Palmer additionally had some drops and fumbling points late within the season. At instances the offense was extra reliant on veteran David Moore than it was with Palmer.
By taking two broad receivers on this yr’s draft, which is flush on the place, notably one in an earlier spherical, it units the Bucs as much as have a plan prepared if Palmer doesn’t play as much as expectations. One receiver may step in as a No. 3, whereas the opposite rookie receiver can compete with Thompkins and Jarrett for room on the depth chart.
Thompkins has been the Bucs’ major returner and has solely offered help on end-arounds on offense. A quadriceps damage actually restricted Jarrett, who made 4 catches for 60 yards throughout his rookie season.
What’s The Plan After This 12 months?
There may be one more reason why the Bucs ought to think about flooding the receiver place on this yr’s draft class. Sadly the NFL is usually a nasty enterprise at instances and this could possibly be Chris Godwin’s final season in crimson and pewter. Godwin is a free agent after this yr and it’s tough to pay two broad receivers over $20 million per season, because the Bucs are doing with Evans and Godwin in 2024.
Bucs WR Chris Godwin – Picture by: USA Right this moment
There was a time when some would argue whether or not Evans or Godwin was the most effective receiver on the Bucs. There’s no dialogue anymore, because it’s clearly Evans. That’s to not say that Godwin has been dangerous by any means, it’s simply obvious who the highest goal has been. Godwin’s numbers have been down during the last two seasons, particularly in receiving landing manufacturing (5), and that makes some sense contemplating he got here again from a torn ACL damage.
If the Bucs have been getting the Chris Godwin from the 2019 or 2020 season, and even 2021 proper earlier than his damage, Tampa Bay wouldn’t suppose twice about re-signing him. However he’s scored simply 5 touchdowns during the last two seasons as Evans has been the point of interest.
Godwin, who simply turned 28, nonetheless produces, as he’s topped 1,000 yards during the last three years. However Godwin has averaged $20 million per yr, and that is likely to be an excessive amount of going ahead contemplating he’ll be 29 subsequent yr.
The excellent news is that it sounds just like the Bucs are transferring Godwin again to the slot the place he thrived in Bruce Arians’ offense. This might set him up for his greatest yr in a few seasons and will pressure the group to rethink its plans.
Tampa Bay has to consider WR2 if it intends to maneuver on from Godwin for the 2025 season. The Bucs shouldn’t wait to draft one other receiver subsequent yr once they can have already got participant on this offense this season studying the ropes and taking part in with Baker Mayfield. Why wait when Tampa Bay can get forward of the curve?
Whether or not or not Godwin is again after this yr, bringing in two new broad receivers ought to solely make the Bucs higher for the long run whereas safeguarding the staff in opposition to accidents at that place.
Greg Cosell Likes This Faculty WR As A Bucs’ Match
Georgia WR Ladd McConkey – Picture by: USA Right this moment
Pewter Report has talked rather a lot concerning the likes of Keon Coleman and Malachi Corley – each of whom met with the Bucs as High 30 visits – amongst others. Once we spoke with NFL Movies’ senior producer Greg Cosell on a recent Pewter Report Podcast, he actually appreciated Georgia broad receiver Ladd McConkey as a match.
“I believe he’d be nice on this offense,” Cosell stated. “That man is aware of the best way to run routes. McConkey actually is aware of the best way to use his vertical stem. What I imply by that’s, he understands how totally different routes have totally different tempo and tempo. You don’t run on the identical pace. He understands how you utilize your head and your physique. To me, McConkey would match this offense to a T.”
The Bucs certainly have finished their homework on McConkey, as new broad receivers coach Bryan McClendon coached McConkey at Georgia as his place coach and the Bulldogs’ passing sport coordinator.
