Breaking: Bucs Find Replacements for $112 Million Receiver Duo in Draft
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ wide receivers, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, are among the best in the NFL at receiving passes.
Evans and Godwin have been teammates since 2017 and have had 11 combined 1,000-yard receiving seasons, including seven consecutive seasons for Evans and three consecutive seasons for Godwin.In terms of NFL years, they are also becoming old.
In an April 23 essay, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times said that the Buccaneers should start looking for successors in the 2024 NFL draft, where they have the 26th overall pick.
Evans will be 31 years old in August. Godwin turned 28 in February.Throughout their careers, both players have been named to NFL All-Pro teams and Pro Bowls.
“Evans and Godwin would roll out the welcome mat for any of these (new) players,” Stroud stated in an email. “And sooner rather than later, the Bucs have to find their eventual replacements.”
Evans and Godwin: The $112 Wide Receiver Duo
Evans and Godwin have been worth every penny they’ve been paid in Tampa Bay, where they both have spent their entire careers. They both also have contracts that will be up within the next two years.
Evans signed a two-year, $52 million contract in March 2024. Godwin is nearing the end of his three-year, $60 million contract, signed in 2022.
Tampa Bay’s base offense will most likely shift from two wide receivers and two tight ends to three wide receivers and one tight end in 2024, according to new offensive coordinator Liam Coen.
There is little depth at wide receiver behind Evans and Godwin. White, a running back, ranked third on the team with 549 receiving yards, while Otton, a tight end, finished fourth with 455 yards.
Breaking Down Buccaneers’ Best Draft Targets
The Buccaneers visited Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman, who is considered the top talent at his position and may still be available in the late first round.
With Godwin and Coleman switching between the slot and outside, and Evans as WR1, the Buccaneers could be nearly unstoppable — and big. Evans stands 6 feet 5 and weighs 223 pounds, while Coleman is 6 feet 3 and weighs 213 pounds. Godwin stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 209 pounds.
NFL analyst Lance Zierlein compared Coleman’s pre-draft evaluation to that of Evans in his younger years.
“Above-the-rim artist with circus catches resembling a scene from the tents of Cirque du Soleil,” Zierlein remarked in an email. “Coleman possesses tremendous size and ball skills. He isn’t quick or fast, so beating the press and creating breathing room against tight man coverages will be dependent on his route-running ability. The former top basketball player uses a rebounder’s extension and timing to give jump-ball opponents the blues. He’s large and strong, with soft hands, but he can be a touch more aggressive in claiming deep-ball territory and going for it as a run blocker.
“Coleman might lack the athletic traits to be a well-rounded WR2. Instead, keep an eye on him as a big slot receiver who can be a red-zone specialist.”
