© Alberto Silva Fernandez/ El Paso Times /
Potential Buccaneers Targets And Best Fits In The Draft: Wide Receiver
JC Allen breaks down each position in the draft with potential fits, including the best fits for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at wide receiver.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers did exactly what they said they would do this offseason and returned all of their high-quality free agents on the team. Back in the fold are Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, Lavonte David, Chase McLaughlin, and Antoine Winfield Jr. They added depth and potential starters to the team with the likes of Jordan Whitehead, Sua Opeta, Ben Bredeson, Tavierre Thomas, Bryce Hall, and Randy Gregory while also bringing back core depth pieces in Greg Gaines, Chase Edmonds, and John Wolford.
The moves they made have given them great flexibility in the draft and while holes remain on the roster they’ve positioned themselves to where they aren’t pigeonholed into any one position in the draft. In this series, we’ll take a look at each position in the draft and potential prospects they could select in each round. In some rounds, there won’t be any fits due to not having an overwhelming need at the position or no first-round grades on players who could potentially be there at their selection.
At the end of each preview, we’ll break down the Bucs best roster fits at each position from rounds 1-2, 3-4, and 5-7.
Evans is back on a two-year deal and has been playing like a receiver in his prime. On the opposite end, Godwin struggled to produce from the outside last season and will see more action in the slot this year. He enters the final year of his deal in 2024. Palmer showed the stage wasn't too big for him last season as a rookie but will need to show more consistency with an increased role as the Bucs' offense will shift to a more three-wide receiver, 11-personnel groupings. Behind the scenes, the coaches were pleased with Jarrett's development but would've liked to see more from Thompkins as a returner, but be may get an extra chance with the new kickoff rules.
The Bucs have five receivers who were on the active roster last season but are lacking depth behind them and could use a wide receiver to push the young players on the roster. They also need to start thinking about life after Godwin and Evans. Getting a slot receiver to groom to take Godwin's role next season or adding a big-bodied outside receiver to work opposite of Evans and learn from him should not be out of the question — even in the first round.
Round 1
Brian Thomas Jr, LSU [6'2, 209, 4.33-40, JR]
It's becoming increasingly unlikely Thomas Jr will be available when the Bucs pick at 26, but if he's there the team should seriously consider the uber-athletic receiver. Thomas has the size and speed teams look for at receiver. He easily finds and fights for the ball in the air and his transition into a runner is smooth. One area he could stand to improve is his understanding of route concepts and stepping into crisper cuts, but he has tremendous upside to be a top-flight receiver in the NFL. His junior year ended with him posting 68 receptions for 1,177 yards receiving and 17 touchdowns. He had a formal interview with the Bucs at the Combine.
Ladd McConkey, Georgia [5'11, 186, 4.39-40, JR]
A smooth route runner, McConkey has tremendous footwork and a release that allows him to beat slot or outside defenders off the line. Has the long speed to take it the distance and while he profiles better as a slot receiver, he has the ability to play outside as well. However, his small frame won't make him a threat for jump balls and his catch radius is limited. When defenders do get their hands on him he can get washed out at the line. He finished his collegiate career with 119 receptions for 1,687 yards and 14 touchdowns. He hasn't had any reported meetings with the Bucs, but new wide receiver coach Bryan McClendon coached him during his final two seasons at Georgia.
Adonai Mitchell, Texas [6'2, 305, 4.34-40, JR]
Mitchell is a quick and fluid athlete who has exceptional tracking skills and can highpoint the ball while in the air. He possesses a wide catch radius and smooth acceleration to reach top speed. However, he'll need to work on crisping up his route running and can get washed out by physical cornerbacks at the line. He finished his junior year at Texas with 55 receptions, 845 yards, and 11 scores. He hasn't had any reported meetings with the Bucs, but new wide receiver coach Bryan McClendon coached him during the 2022 season at Georgia.
Round 2
Xavier Worthy, Texas [5'11, 165, 4.21-40, JR]
You can't teach speed and Worthy has it in droves, setting a new Combine record during testing. He provides an immediate vertical threat for the team that drafts him and displays crisp, sudden cuts at the top of his routes. His footwork and acceleration are strengths of his, as is his ability to track the ball in the air. However, he can struggle against more physical corners, and his play strength leaves a lot to be desired. He finished his junior year with 75 receptions for 1,014 yards and five touchdowns. There have been no reported visits with the Bucs.
Keon Coleman, Florida State [6'3, 213, 4.61-40, JR]
Don't let the 40 time fool you, Coleman is a remarkable athlete with outstanding explosiveness, burst, top speed and ability to highpoint the ball in the air. His twitch for a receiver his size and his physicality will make him a difference-maker in the NFL. However, he needs to be more nuanced as a route runner and doesn't offer much after the catch. He finished his junior year with 50 receptions, 658 yards, and 11 touchdowns. The Bucs brought Coleman in for an official 30 visit.
Roman Wilson, Michigan [5'10, 185, 4.39-40, SR]
Wilson isn't afraid to get his nose dirty blocking, even at his size. He has explosive speed and can stretch the field while also being able to compete in traffic through the middle. He's a natural pass catcher but can rush his routes and while he competes for the ball he has a limited catch radius. He finished his senior year with 48 receptions for 789 yards and 12 touchdowns. He hasn't had any reported meetings with the Bucs.
Ricky Pearsall, Florida [6'1, 191, 4.41-40, 5SR]
Pearsall is a savvy route runner with a diverse route tree. Tailor-made for the slot, his quick release and sharp cuts combined with his feel for finding open spots in coverage will make him a quarterback's best friend. However, he'll struggle against physical corners and while he possesses the ability to find ways to beat defenders deep, he's more of a short and intermediate threat. He finished his collegiate career with 159 receptions, 2,420 yards and 14 scores. He hasn't had any reported meetings with the Bucs, however, being in Florida the Bucs are sure to have done their homework on him.
Troy Franklin, Oregon [6'2, 172, 4.41-40, JR]
A threat to make a big play at any time, Franklin displays long-speed skills to take the top off of defenses from either outside or the slot. He has long fluid strides that allow him to get to top speed quickly utilizing good feet and a release to blow by defenders. He needs to become more polished as a route runner and won't break anyone's ankles with sharp cuts but has shown increased improvement in catch concentration over his time at Oregon. He finished his junior season with 81 receptions for 1,383 yards and 14 touchdowns. He hasn't had any reported meetings with the Bucs.
Xavier Legette, South Carolina [ 6'1, 221, 4.39-40, 5SR]
After modest production, Leggette exploded onto the scene in his final season with the Gamecocks. He has explosive speed and was one of the most dominant contested catch receivers in college last year. He is dangerous with the ball in his hands and has a huge catch radius. However, he'll need polish on his route running and release to be an every-down difference-maker in the NFL. He finished his final season at South Carolina posting 71 receptions for 1.255 yards and seven touchdowns. He hasn't had any reported meetings with the Bucs.
Rounds 3-4
Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky [ 5'11,207, 4.56-40, SR]
Corley is one of the most productive players with the ball in his hands. Nicknamed the "YAC King", he piles up yards after the catch and led the nation in 2023 with 9.2 yards after the catch. The former running back has excellent vision and contact balance and has some of the strongest hands in the draft class. He has excellent acceleration and is crisp with his cuts, often making defenders miss with 55 missed tackles over the last two seasons. However, he has an average catch radius, isn't a deep threat, and can be slowed down by contact. He totaled 180 receptions for 2,277 yards and 12 touchdowns between his junior and senior years. The Bucs recently brought him in for an official Top 30 visit.
Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington [ 6'1, 203, 4.52-40, 4JR]
The other Washington receiver, Polk displays the versatility to play outside or in the slot. He displays good short-area quickness with the ability to make tough catches through traffic with strong hands. However, he can get eaten up in press coverage, doesn't have the long speed with shorter strides, and needs to continue to develop as a route runner. He finished 2023 with 69 receptions for 1,158 yards and nine touchdowns. He had a meeting with the Bucs at the Combine.
Malik Washington, Virginia [ 5'8, 191, 4.47-40, 5SR]
Washington doesn't have the biggest stature but his compact build comes with good strength and balance at the position. He's a tough cover, can make sharp quick cuts and his sudden acceleration allows him to separate from defenders. While he projects as more of a slot-only receiver he is tough at the catch point but will need to work on the nuance of his routes and can get washed out by bigger corners when blocking. He finished his final season at Virginia with 111 receptions for 1,384 yards and nine touchdowns. He had an informal meeting with the Bucs at the Combine.
Jalen McMillan Washington [ 6'1, 197, 4.47-40, 4JR]
The other (other) Washington receiver, McMillan worked mostly out of the slot with a diverse route tree and a knack for finding the open spot on the field. He is strong through the catch point, has an explosive release, and is a willing blocker. Still, he needs to show he can hold up against more physical corners and will need to prove he can stretch routes vertically consistently. He finished his collegiate career with 164 receptions for 2,143 and 17 touchdowns. He had a formal meeting with the Buccaneers at the Combine.
Javon Baker, UCF [6'1,202, 4.54-40, SR]
Baker is a homerun hitter with faster play speed than timed speed. He knows how to set up corners using excellent burst to blow by coverages with great ball-tracking skills. He can go up and get the ball with ease and has a smooth transition into a runner. However, he'll make ill-timed drops and will need to do a better job of finishing routes underneath. He finished his final year at UCF with 52 receptions for 1,1139 yards and seven touchdowns and a 21.9 yards per catch average. He hasn't had any reported meetings with the Bucs but being an hour down the road they have surely kept tabs on him.
Rounds 5-7
Cornelius Johnson, Michigan [6'2, 212, 4.44-40, 5SR]
Johnson has good size at the receiver position with quick feet and good start-stop acceleration. He uses his body well to position defenders and is an excellent contested catch receiver. However, he'll need to smooth his route running, often rushing his routes and struggling to separate at times with too many focus drops. He has a ton of college playoff experience and finished his career with 139 receptions, 2045 yards, and 14 touchdowns. He had an informal meeting with the Bucs at the combine.
Xavier Weaver Colorado [ 6'0, 175, 4.47-40, 5SR]
Weaver has a sharp release, is able to beat corners off press coverage and has acceleration to climb past cornerbacks. He is a smooth route runner with the ability to make plays after the catch. He is also a dynamic returner with good vision and speed. However, the former USF Bull can get bullied by corners at the catch point if he doesn't get enough separation and has trouble with drops going over the middle in a crowd. He finished his collegiate career with 184 receptions, 2,642 yards, and 12 touchdowns. He had an informal meeting with the Bucs at the combine.
Ainias Smith, Texas A&M [ 5'9, 190, 4.55-40, 5SR]
Smith is a small wide receiver who will need to do most of his work from the slot underneath. He possesses good short-area explosiveness and displays excellent instincts and toughness making catches through contact. The former running back comes out when he carries the ball and he is a consistent punt returner and willing blocker. However, he has less than ideal size and a small catch radius. He doesn't wow you with his long speed and won't be a factor in jump ball situations. He finished his collegiate career with 180 receptions for 2, 407 yards and 19 touchdowns. He had an informal meeting with the Bucs at the Combine.
Jordan Whittington, Texas [6'1, 205, N/A, 5SR]
Whittington operates as a big slot with a powerful first step and the frame to absorb contact and pick up extra yards. He understands route leverage, has dependable hands and body control, and is willing to do the dirty work. However, he can be a bit stiff-legged in his cuts, and his burst, acceleration, and top-end speed are lacking. He also was hampered by a myriad of injuries. He finished his final season at Texas as a captain making 42 receptions for 505 yards and one touchdown. He had an informal meeting with the Bucs at the Combine.
Best Fit Rounds 1-2
Keon Coleman
The Bucs are doing their due diligence on the FSU receiver after meeting with him at the Combine and hosting him for an official 30 visit. Coleman would be an instant upgrade on the outside allowing Plamer to slide into a reserve role. With the Bucs moving to more of an 11-personal look and Godwin moving back into the slot there is certainly a need on the outside. Coleman is a remarkable athlete and would be a great fit opposite Evans with the opportunity to learn from him as well. However, if Thomas Jr. is there at 26, I wouldn't be shocked if he is the pick.
Best Fit Rounds 3-4
Jalen McMillan
While Malachi Corley may be the best fit for the Bucs in this range it's doubtful he falls low enough for the Bucs to grab him in the third round without a trade-up. Instead, McMillan makes a lot of sense if the Bucs are looking for someone who can learn behind Godwin and spell him if needed. Malik Washington could also be under consideration in these rounds as well.
Best Fit Rounds 5-7
Xavier Weaver
Weaver makes a lot of sense if the Bucs are looking for an outside receiver to push Palmer and can contribute as a punt returner. While life after Godwin needs to be thought of there is a need for an outside presence at receiver and Weaver fits the bill. If the Bucs do go slot receiver in these rounds Smith makes a ton of sense.
Check out out previous position breakdowns below:
You can follow JC Allen on Twitter @JCAllenNFL.
Stick with BucsGameday for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the offseason.
