Bucs UDFA Eric Rivers Brings Speed But Lands on Congested Depth Chart

By Matt Schauf | Updated on Tue, Apr 28 2026 6:15 PM UTC

The Buccaneers signed Georgia Tech WR Eric Rivers as an undrafted free agent this week. Rivers opened his college career as a walk-on DB at Memphis in 2021, then missed the following season with a shoulder injury. He transferred to Florida International in 2023 and enjoyed a solid first season at wideout. Despite missing a game, Rivers ranked second on the team in catches (32) and TD receptions (2), and third in receiving yards (370). He broke out with a big 62-1,172-12 receiving line in 2024, racking up 18.9 yards per catch. His 3.57 yards per route ranked second among 347 FBS WRs who drew at least 40 targets that season. A transfer to Georgia Tech produced a quieter final season, though Rivers led the Yellow Jackets with 658 receiving yards and tied for the receptions lead (46).

What They're Saying

Draft Sharks Rookie Guide: “In the pros, Rivers looks more like a part-time deep threat than a full-time starter. Rivers’ 4.35 speed gives him a shot. But he’s undersized at 5’10, 176 pounds.”

2026 Fantasy Football Impact

That size undoubtedly played a large role in Rivers going undrafted. In addition to his fifth-percentile weight and 12th-percentile height at the Combine, Rivers checked in with just 16th-percentile arm length for the position.

The Bucs clearly decided that speed is worth a shot, though it'll be surprising if he sticks in Tampa.

Even after losing Mike Evans, the Buccaneers still sport Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, and Jalen McMillan as their top three receivers. They also return 2025 rookie Tez Johnson -- who managed a 28-322-5 receiving line last year -- and drafted Ted Hurst in Round 3. Plus, veteran David Sills V followed new OC Zac Robinson from Atlanta.

Rivers will likely need to crack that top 6 to make the regular-season roster. But we'll see whether he can find a practice-squad spot or make his way to another roster.

For now, he's not worth picking in most dynasty rookie drafts.

Matt Schauf, Editor

Matt has earned two Fantasy Pros accuracy awards for IDP rankings and won thousands of dollars as a player across best ball, dynasty, and high-stakes fantasy formats. He has been creating fantasy football content for more than 20 years, with work featured by Sporting News, Rotoworld, Athlon, Sirius XM, and others. He's been with Draft Sharks since 2011.