Tampa Bay Buccaneers Top Free Agent Wide Receiver Options
So much revolving around what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will do at the wide receiver position depends if they can come to an agreement with All-Pro free agent wideout Mike Evans. If the Bucs bring Evans back into the fold, which sounds more than likely after listening to general manager Jason Licht's press conference at the NFL Draft Combine, then the needs in the receiver room dramatically change.
Chris Godwin is coming off his third consecutive 1,000-yard season and enters the final year of his deal. The Bucs really like what they saw out of Trey Palmer in year one as well. As a rookie, he was thrust into the wide receiver three role and was tasked with learning all three receiver positions after Russell Gage was lost for the season. The team also likes what they have in undrafted rookie Rakim Jarrett but they could certainly use a veteran to work with at the position.
Gage will be cut which will open up $6 million in cap space for the Buccaneers and they could choose to reinvest that back into the receiver position in free agency.
Curtis Samuel
If the Bucs are looking to invest some money into the position Samuel could be a dynamic addition to the receiver room. His ability to function in a Deebo Samuel esq role would allow the Bucs to use him in a variety of roles. He works more out of the slot than the outside but would allow the Bucs to be more creative with the way they use Godwin with a capable replacement on the inside.
Last season he had 62 receptions for 613 and four touchdowns on 85 targets. He added 39 yards and a touchdown on the ground in 2023 but has 715 yards rushing and seven touchdowns for his career. He's projected to receive a deal in the neighborhood of two years $18 million.
Josh Reynolds
With Godwin moving back into the inside slot position, what the Bucs need is depth to man the outside opposite Evans. Reynolds saw 64 percent of his snaps their last season but has the flexibility to bounce inside as well. He has familiarity working with new Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen who was his wide receiver coach in 2018 and 2019.
Reynolds is a strong run blocker and has a natural feel for the position proving to be a reliable option on third and fourth down. Last season he racked up 40 receptions for 608 yards and five touchdowns on 61 targets. He's projected to receive a two-year contract worth about $10 million.
K.J. Osbourne
Osbourne dealt with some drops in 2023 but is a savvy receiver who knows how to find the space in zone and pick up yards after the catch. He was thrust into a starting role with injuries to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison but settles in nicely as a third or fourth wide receiver. Last season he put up 48 receptions for 540 yards and three touchdowns on 73 targets. He's projected to sign a two-year deal worth $10 m
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