NFL Draft Results: Four things to know about Chris Godwin

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers added yet another weapon for Jameis Winston at the end of the third round today, by taking Penn State receiver Chris Godwin. He’s a bit of a legend in some circles, given his performance in the Rose Bowl, but there’s more to him than that.

So let’s do a quick intro to Godwin, by walking you through the three key facts you need to know about the latest addition to the Bucs.

Godwin destroyed the Rose Bowl while violently ill

If there’s one game you need to watch on Godwin, it’s this year’s Rose Bowl. Nine catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns. He did that while recovering from some kind of bug that made him violently ill, and had put his participation in doubt right up until game time.

And then they still lost, somehow.

That was a terrific performance by Godwin, though, a game in which he did it all: blew by defensive backs, made ridiculous one-handed catches, and dominated a first-round cornerback in Adoree Jackson, despite catching passes from a godawful quarterback.

Godwin is fast, but at his best on contested catches

Godwin ran a 4.42-second 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine and his speed shows on the field, too. But that’s not his best trait. Instead, his ability to go up and make contested catches is what makes him special.

He will go up and attack the football while it’s in the air, somewhat like former Bucs receiver Mike Williams did in his prime. Mike Evans can do that, too, but has his massive size to help him out. Godwin does it at 6’1”, 209 lbs, which requires some pretty outstanding timing and physicality.

Godwin will block you

This is not why anyone drafts a receiver, but it’s still good to know. Godwin will block you in the running game, and do it well. That probably means he’s a good special teamer, too, and all of that will help him get on the field early in his career.

Check out Black Shoe Diaries for some great examples of Godwin going all-out on some poor defensive backs.

Godwin is reliable

If you’re looking for someone to consistently make game-breaking plays, Chris Godwin is not your guy, even though his Rose Bowl performance might make you think so.

Instead, Godwin is the kind of NFL player who has a really long career as a number two receiver. The kind of receiver who puts up solid performances week in, week out, year in, year out, without ever really breaking out as a Pro Bowler. Someone like Pierre Garcon, and players like that are highly valuable—if not as exciting and explosive as a Mike Evans.