What player could the Buccaneers live without?

The goal of every football team is to get better every year. Sometimes that means firing and hiring a new coaching staff. Sometimes it means spending big in free agency, and sometimes it means promoting certain players from their depth chart and cutting others to maximize the talent on the field. The Buccaneers have done all of the above this offseason in an attempt to finally end their long, and I do mean long, 10-year playoff drought.

So with all that said, here is a quick look at how the Bucs offense could function without wide receiver Adam Humphries.

Humphries has been a good slot receiver during his years in Tampa Bay. After initially signing with the Bucs as an undrafted free agent and making the 53-man roster in 2015, Humphries was cut that October and signed to the practice squad. He was called up at the end of October and has been a staple in Dirk Koetter’s offense ever since.

Humphries played a vital role in the 2016 season as Jameis Winston’s security blanket when the wide receiver group was hit with a plethora of injuries. His stats back up his elevated position in the offense.

• 2015 - 27 receptions - 260 yards - 1 TD - 67.5% catch percentage - 18 first down receptions
• 2016 - 55 receptions - 622 yards - 2 TD - 66.3% catch percentage - 27 first down receptions
• 2017 - 61 receptions - 631 yards - 1 TD - 73.5% catch percentage - 34 first down receptions

While Humphries is a good slot receiver, he is not elite and the Bucs have a more talented player that needs to be on the field considerably more in 2018. That player is Chris Godwin.

Remember when I said earlier that teams can get better by promoting players on their depth chart? This definitely fits the bill. Godwin’s rookie stat line won’t knock you off your feet (37 receptions - 525 yards - 1 TD) but even in limited playing time during his rookie season, Godwin showed flashes of why he was a steal when the Bucs drafted him in the 3rd round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He has the ability to line up in the slot or outside, although he predominately plays outside. The Bucs were in 11 personnel (3 wide receivers on the field) 62% of offensive snaps in 2017. A wide receiver grouping of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and DeSean Jackson, is greater than a grouping of Evans, Humphries and Jackson because of the versatility advantage of all three receivers being able to line up inside or outside on any given play. Godwin’s presence on the field allows Koetter to be more creative in his playcalling as defenses would have to respect Jackson’s speed, while also trying to limit the big play ability of Godwin and Evans. The Bucs also brought back Bernard Reedy, Bobo Wilson, Freddie Martino, and drafted Justin Watson to compete for the 5th and possible 6th wide receiver spots.

The NFL is an unpredictable business and players get injured all the time. Having a solid player like Humphries on your team is a good thing. I’m definitely not suggesting getting rid of him, but if a team made a good trade offer, the Bucs would be wise to at least listen to the deal.

What do you all think?