The Tampa Bay Buccaneers feature one of the NFL’s best pass-catching tandems in seasoned wide outs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

Evans and Godwin have been teammates since 2017 and have had 11 combined 1,000-yard receiving seasons, including seven consecutive seasons for Evans and three consecutive seasons for Godwin. In terms of NFL years, they are also becoming old.

Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times suggested in an April 23 essay that the Buccaneers should start looking for successors in the 2024 NFL draft, where Tampa Bay possesses the 26th overall pick in the first round.
Evans will be 31 years old in August. Godwin turned 28 in February. Throughout their careers, both players have been named to NFL All-Pro teams and Pro Bowls.

“Evans and Godwin would roll out the welcome mat for any of these (new) players,” Stroud stated in an email. “And sooner than later, the Bucs must locate their eventual replacements.

Evans and Godwin, the $112 Wide Receiver Duo.
Evans and Godwin have earned every dime they’ve been paid in Tampa Bay, where they’ve spent their whole careers. They both have contracts that will expire within the next two years.

Evans signed a two-year contract worth $52 million in March 2024. Godwin is in the third year of his three-year, $60 million contract, which he signed in 2022.

Tampa Bay’s base offense will most likely shift from two wide receivers and two tight ends to three wide receivers and one tight end in 2024, according to new offensive coordinator Liam Coen.

There is little depth at wide receiver behind Evans and Godwin. Rachaad White, a running back, finished third on the team with 549 receiving yards, while tight end Cade Otton was fourth with 455 receiving yards.

Breaking down the Buccaneers’ best draft targets.
The Buccaneers had Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman in for one of their Top 30 visits before to the draft, and he is certainly the finest player at his position who may still be available near the end of the first round.

With Godwin and Coleman switching between the slot and outside, and Evans as WR1, the Buccaneers could be nearly unstoppable — and big. Evans stands 6 feet 5 and weighs 223 pounds, while Coleman is 6 feet 3 and weighs 213 pounds. Godwin stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 209 pounds.

NFL analyst Lance Zierlein’s pre-draft assessment of Coleman almost sounds like he’s recalling Evans’ younger days.

“Above-the-rim artist with circus catches resembling a scene from the tents of Cirque du Soleil,” Zierlein remarked in an email. “Coleman possesses tremendous size and ball skills. He isn’t quick or fast, so beating the press and creating breathing room against tight man coverages will be dependent on his route-running ability. The former top basketball player uses a rebounder’s extension and timing to give jump-ball opponents the blues. He’s large and strong, with soft hands, but he can be a touch more aggressive in claiming deep-ball territory and going for it as a run blocker.

“Coleman may lack the athleticism required to be a well-rounded WR2. Instead, keep an eye on him as a large slot receiver who can excel in the red zone.

Tony Adame covers the NFL for Heavy.com, focusing on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders, and Cincinnati Bengals. Since 2004, he has worked as a sports journalist and editor for Stadium Talk, Yardbarker, the Northwest Florida Daily News, and the Pensacola News Journal. More on Tony Adame.