Buccaneers expected to sign WR Lavelle Hawkins

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to sign wide receiver Lavelle Hawkins, according to Adam Caplan. CaplanHawkins is a seventh-year receiver and a former fourth-round pick for the Tennessee Titans, who managed 71 catches for 771 yards in his career. He also has limited experience as a kick returner, with 22 career kick returns. The receiver does have the advantage of familiarity with offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford, for whom he played in college.

Hawkins provide some depth at a decimated position, where Vincent Jackson's the only remotely reliable player on the roster. Trading Mike Williams hasn't helped, and the team has few options in free agency to add quality to their receiving corps. Players like Miles Austin and Sidney Rice are still available, but they'd have to be considered little more than possible contributors, rather than reliable starters. As a result, they're almost certain to draft a wide receiver with one or even both of their top two draft picks in a very deep receiver draft.

For now, given Hawkins' level of production in previous years, it's hard to see him as anything more than a training camp body.