Buccaneers Select First Round Wide Receiver to Replace Mike Evans in 2024 Mock Draft
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are nearing the end of their regular season and it is still to be determined whether or not they will make the playoffs. Depending on how the next four games play out and what they are able to accomplish in the playoffs - if they make it - will decide where they will ultimately pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Just as the NFL regular season is coming to a close, the college football regular season has already ended and players are either gearing up to play in their respective bowl games or foregoing them to prepare for the draft.
With all of these things happening we will start to see a mass influx of mock drafts as draft experts/analysts try and predict what teams will draft whom and where.
ESPN expert Matt Miller is one of those and recently released his first-round mock draft in which he has the Tampa Bay Buccaneers picking 19th overall selecting University of Texas star wideout Xavier Worthy.
"Mike Evans is potentially hitting free agency in March, and even if the perennial 1,000-yard receiver returns, he will turn 31 years old in August. It's time for Tampa Bay to invest in a younger top-tier pass-catcher, at least as long as one of the top four quarterbacks doesn't slip to No. 19. Worthy is fast and elusive with big-play ability. He has scored 25 touchdowns for Texas during the past three seasons and is a blur with the ball in his hands."
Amidst the unknown of whether or not the Buccaneers will decide to sign Mike Evans to a contract extension (they should) the 6' 1" Worthy is an interesting choice here. The Buccaneers will still have Chris Godwin on the roster and if Evans does indeed leave you would likely want to replace him with another big-body WR to offset the skill set that Godwin provides.
Now, if the Bucs do re-sign Evans the move could make more sense even though Tampa Bay could use the pick on a position that is more of need. However, adding a playmaker in space of Worthy's caliber would formulate an exciting trio in Tampa Bay - especially with the injury history and lack of production from Russell Gage since he arrived from Atlanta.
Over the course of his career at Texas, Worthy has posted 195 receptions for 2,710 yards and 26 touchdowns.
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