The receiving core is arguably the least of this teams worries but that doesn’t mean Jason Licht and company won’t try and improve this group further. Green Bay Packers receiver Geronimo Allison could be a potential target if Breshad Perriman walks via free agency.

Let’s take a look at just how Allison has reached free agency.

GERONIMO ALLISON’S CAREER THUS FAR

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Allison was an undrafted free agent in 2016 when he signed with the Green Bay Packers. Allison was an Illinois product by way of Tampa, Florida where he was born. Allison went to Spoto High School here in Riverview where he burst on to the scene as a senior.

Allison had a volatile start to his NFL career, beginning on the practice squad as a rookie before getting the call and catching his first NFL pass, a touchdown from Aaron Rodgers, in week 8. 2017 brought more volatility to his situation as he was suspended for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.

This past year in 2019, Allison saw his highest usage in the Packers offense as he caught 34 passes and scored a pair of touchdowns. Over his four seasons in the league, Allison has amassed 6 touchdowns on 89 receptions for 1,045 yards.

WHY IT WORKS

The Buccaneers are built on offense and the receiving core beyond Breshad Perriman left a lot to desire. Allison could potentially fit in the 3rd or 4th receiver spot and bring another veteran presence to the group.

For the Buccaneers, this move works as a cost effective addition should Perriman demand more than the team is willing to allocate. With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin being the dynamic duo that they are, a third receiver has to be more cost effective given the contracts those two will be demanding in the long run.

This move also makes sensee for Allison, who again is from the area. Who wouldn’t want to go back to where it all began for you? Allison returning to Tampa Bay would be a great homecoming after playing the majority of his post-high school life in the cold of Illinois and Wisconsin.

BUT...

This team has already allocated a lot to the receiving core. Mike Evans is on his second deal, Chris Godwin is about to break the bank after 2020 when his rookie deal wraps up. The team still has several other young receivers by way of the draft in Justin Watson (5th rounder 2018) and Scott Miller (6th round 2019) as well.

With 4 draft picks at the position on the roster, two of whom may compete for that 3rd receiver spot should Perriman not return, signing Geronimo Allison may not be in the plans.

WHAT’S THE COST?

Receivers as far down on the depth chart as Allison can be a bit tricky to predict cost wise and there is currently no prediction on Spotrac.com for Allison this off-season. That said, with Allison being 26 years old and having shown little signs of breaking out despite playing with a premier quarterback in this league, expectations should be set towards a 1-2 year deal in the range of his last one with Green Bay.

That puts Geronimo Allison in the 2-year $4 Million range in total, about half of what the team paid Breshad Perriman in 2019. Allison has never been regarded nor expected to produce like the former 1st round pick, and his next contract should resemble that.

WHAT WE DON’T KNOW

There is still some uncertainty as to how this staff feels about the “other” guys at receiver and the team hasn’t led on too much as to the plans with free agent Breshad Perriman who is set to test the market once the free agent period begins. What happens with Perriman could be a big determining factor as to how the Buccaneers play their cards at the receiver position.

There’s also Allison in all of this and how he feels about his career. Will the free agent look for a bigger opportunity for himself to play a larger role? Would the 26 year old want to return to his home town to play?

The larger factor for luring free agents in is the fact that there currently is a lot of uncertainty as to who the quarterback will be to start this 2020 season. These all can and will play big factors for bringing in any receiver.

Make the decision

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While nothing is ever written in stone, this one seems like a stretch as far Allison returning home to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Allison could be waiting until after the draft to find a home given the free agent crop out there and that would probably be the most realistic possibility for him returning home.

As nice as it would be to see some home grown talent on the roster, it’s just too far fetched for this writer to envision.

*According to spotrac.com