Bucs WR Chris Godwin said he doesn’t expect his role to change in 2025. “Last year verified for me that the slot is where I feel most comfortable, where I can be most involved in the game and do the most damage,” he said via The Athletic. The veteran will work under a new OC (Josh Grizzard) in 2025.
Buccaneers OC Josh Grizzard envisions the 2025 backfield looking similar to how it did at the end of the 2024 campaign. “I would say how we ended last season was essentially where we would take off," Grizzard said. "There’s a spot for all three of those guys (Bucky Irving, Rachaad White, and Sean Tucker)."
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Oregon WR Tez Johnson with the 237th pick of Round 7 in the 2025 NFL Draft. His tape turns up a true separator, which is vital at 5’9, 156 pounds. That’s Tutu Atwell size and about ten pounds lighter than Tank Dell. Johnson spent three years at Troy, with the final two turning up 123-1,598-8. Then came a transfer to Oregon to play with Bo Nix, whose family essentially adopted him at age 15. It was no surprise, then, that Johnson erupted for 86-1,182-10 in 2023. He posted a sparkling 81.1% catch rate and ranked just behind Troy Franklin in targets and catches per game. In 2024, Johnson’s big plays declined. Still, he tallied clear team leads in catches (83), yards (898), and receiving TDs (10). He had a 7.29 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) based on his predraft testing. He also ranked 19th among Combine WRs in 2024 Target Share at 22.9%, and fifth among those WRs in PFF Receiving Grade with an 87. He is currently 22 years old with a Breakout Age of 19.3. He ranked 15th among WRs in our Draft Sharks predraft Rookie Model scoring a 6.60. Our Comp for him in our Rookie Guide is Tank Dell. Johnson’s frame adds volatility to his NFL outlook, but his production shows he knows how to play the position at a high level.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka with the 19th pick of Round 1 in the 2025 NFL Draft. Egbuka came to Ohio State as a highly touted five-star prospect. However, he was stuck behind future NFL stars like Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson, and Chris Olave. Egbuka eventually showed NFL promise as a sophomore with 1,151 yards and 10 receiving TDs. Unfortunately, an ankle injury that required surgery cost him most of 2023, so he decided to return to the Buckeyes for his senior season. His slot skills and sure hands made him a reliable target all year. The final numbers: 81 catches, 1,011 yards, and 10 TDs across 16 healthy games. Egbuka profiles as a high-floor, moderate-ceiling fantasy asset. He had a 9.72 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) based on his predraft testing. He also ranked 16th among Combine WRs in 2024 targets share at 24.2%, and 11th among those WRs in PFF Receiving Grade with an 82.4. He ranked fifth in our predraft Rookie Model Score (7.67) and comps favorably to former Dolphin Jarvis Landry.
Buccaneers DT Calijah Kancey says he's focused this offseason on improving his durability. Kancey lost five games at the beginning of last season because of a calf injury. The same issue cost him the first three games of 2023, his rookie campaign.
Buccaneers GM Jason Licht said this week that WR Chris Godwin is on track in his recovery from last October's dislocated ankle. Licht didn't give a precise timetable for Godwin's return to the field but expects him to be ready for the start of the season.
The Buccaneers have agreed to a three-year deal with WR Chris Godwin. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that it'll pay the WR $22 million a year, with $44 million in total guarantees.
The Buccaneers are declining their 2025 option on S Jordan Whitehead, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. That will make Whitehead an unrestricted free agent when the new league year starts in March ... unless Tampa Bay brings him back. Garafolo says GM Jason Licht is keeping that possibility open.
The Buccaneers promoted Josh Grizzard to OC, replacing Liam Coen. Grizzard was the team's passing game coordinator last year. He spent the previous seven seasons with the Dolphins, moving from offensive quality control to WRs coach. Grizzard has no play-calling experience at any level, but the Bucs are prioritizing continuity after the big 2024 season under Coen. "Josh is bright and innovative and was instrumental in our game planning and play design over the last year," HC Todd Bowles said. "After interviewing several outstanding candidates throughout this process, it ultimately became clear that our best option was here in our building." Grizzard will be Tampa Bay's fourth different OC in the last four years -- and QB Baker Mayfield's ninth different play caller as a pro.
Buccaneers TE Cade Otton (knee) is active for tonight's game vs. the Commanders. It'll be his first action since Week 15. Otton should step back in as Tampa Bay's primary pass-catching TE but isn't a very exciting fantasy play. He averaged just 4.3 targets, 2.5 catches, and 36 yards across his last four games with WR Mike Evans back. TE Devin Culp is a healthy scratch tonight.
Buccaneers TE Cade Otton (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday night's Wild Card game vs. the Commanders. He practiced all week, including full workouts on Thursday and Friday, so he's seemingly on track to play. Otton had a few big games in the middle of the season with WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin out, but he averaged just 4.3 targets, 2.5 catches, and 36 yards across his last four games with Evans back.
Buccaneers WR Sterling Shepard (hamstring) is active for today’s game vs. the Saints. He should slide back in as Tampa Bay’s primary slot receiver but is a low-end fantasy play.
Buccaneers TE Cade Otton (knee) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Saints. TEs Payne Durham and Devin Culp split playing time last week, so neither is a reliable Week 18 fantasy start.
Buccaneers S Jordan Whitehead will miss "multiple weeks" with injuries suffered in a car accident early Saturday, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. The team is placing Whitehead on the non-football injury list, which will likely knock him out through the playoffs.
Buccaneers WR Sterling Shepard (hamstring) was limited in practice all week and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game vs. the Saints. We’ll see if he can make it back for this one after missing Week 17, but Shepard would be a desperation fantasy play.
Buccaneers TE Cade Otton (knee) is doubtful for Sunday’s game vs. the Saints. TEs Payne Durham and Devin Culp split playing time last week, so neither is a bankable Week 18 fantasy start.
Buccaneers S Antoine Winfield Jr. put in a limited practice Thursday, his first action since hurting a knee in Week 14. That gives Winfield a chance to play against the Saints in Week 18. We'll see what the team says after Friday's practice.
There's a 70% chance of rain throughout today's Panthers-Buccaneers game. Winds are only expected to come in around 10 mph, though, so weather shouldn't have a big impact on this one. We're not adjusting projections for Carolina or Tampa Bay players.
Buccaneers WR Sterling Shepard (hamstring, foot) is out for Sunday's game vs. the Panthers. He's been the team's primary slot receiver since WR Chris Godwin went down, averaging 4.6 targets per game over his last eight. Shepard's absence leaves a few extra targets for WRs Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan and RBs Bucky Irving and Rachaad White.
Buccaneers TE Cade Otton (knee) is out for Sunday's game vs. the Panthers. That should mean lead duties again for TE Payne Durham. He surprisingly ran a route on 88% of Bucs pass plays last week, catching five of seven targets for 29 yards. He'd be a desperation play in season-long lineups but is a viable salary-saver in DFS. Otton's absence could also push more targets to WRs Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan and RBs Bucky Irving and Rachaad White.
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