“A Cole Beasley Starter Kit”
February 27th, 2019
There are different ways to view the pending free agency of slot receiver Adam Humphries.
He’s valuable but replaceable, especially this offseason with plenty of good slot receivers expected hit the market in two short weeks.
So how will the Bucco Bruce Arians regime value Humphries? And what about the rest of the NFL?
Cowboys sideline reporter Kristi Scales, via the Dallas Morning News, shared an interesting nugget about Humphries based on a chat she had with important people in the Dallas front office just two months ago.
In talking to higher ups in the Cowboys’ player personnel department during pregame of Bucs-Cowboys, they noted the similar career-paths of Humphries and [Cole] Beasley. Both were undrafted, undersized rookie free agents that are hard-nosed and rely on quickness and toughness. Humphries played better competition in college during his time at Clemson.
I just remember thinking during the game in December: well, if Dallas loses Beasley in free agency, this guy looks like a Cole Beasley-starter kit. Of course, starter kit is unfair to Humphries who in four seasons already has 219 catches for 2,319 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns. I also remember thinking, “Gosh, this kid would tear it up even more if he played for the Patriots.” He’s a quick guy who helps move the sticks, just like Beasley.
Beasley turns 30 in April and has had a nice Humphries-like career. He’s missed just six games in the last six years. The Cowboys have hinted they don’t think they’ll be able to afford what Beasley will command on the free agent market in two weeks, but one would think Humphries would get even more cash because he’s four years younger.
Might Bucco Bruce Arians prefer a cheaper Beasley over Humphries?
What team will be first to set the 2019 market for slot receivers, which has guys like Golden Tate and other quality players like Beasley and Humphries? Will it be a year for those receivers like it was for safeties last year, with nobody touching them for anywhere near their asking price?
Lots of answers coming in two weeks.
February 27th, 2019 at 8:48 am
Cole Beasley starter kit??? One word whack. Dude ain’t bigger story than ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith mentioning yesterday a Desean Jackson Antonio Brown trade is looking like a likely thing. What you talking bout…
February 27th, 2019 at 8:50 am
Pointless article,only thing worth mentioning is how Desean for Antonio Brown is looking like a likely thing. What you talking bout.
February 27th, 2019 at 8:51 am
Antonio Brown coming to Tampa fool.
February 27th, 2019 at 8:53 am
I believe Adam Humphries is better than Beasley
February 27th, 2019 at 8:57 am
Is Humphries better than John ross?
February 27th, 2019 at 9:00 am
Hump is better than Mike Evans
February 27th, 2019 at 9:01 am
Hump is the base of the WR
He is Jamies go to and works very hard
We need this guy for his ability to catch and his work ethic
February 27th, 2019 at 9:03 am
lol. That’s a good way to lose any credibility you may have had, Robert.
February 27th, 2019 at 9:04 am
If Tampa does not resign hump, he will immediately be signed by New England.
And the fallowing year will be added to the long list of good players who Tampa let slip away that have SB rings.
February 27th, 2019 at 9:05 am
Seriously?????????
February 27th, 2019 at 9:05 am
P.s.
New England needs receivers ASAP and hump fits the order, and the bill.
February 27th, 2019 at 9:06 am
Golden Tate made $7M last year. I’m a big Humphries fan- especially since he has such a great connection with Winston – but I would take Tate’s skills over Hump’s all day every day – especially for the same price or cheaper.
Reality says the Bucs will not be bringing in any free agent WRs though. We are loaded with youthful talent in Watson, Bobo and Bailey. If Hump is allowed to walk because his asking price is too much (which likely nets us a decent comp pick next year btw) – then we’ve got plenty of talent behind him ready to step up IMO….
February 27th, 2019 at 9:07 am
Give up a late round pick for Ross. Put him in the slot. He replaces Djax and Hump. He’s only due roughly 2 million for the next 2 season. If he doesn’t pan out, it’s a minimal risk. It will save 11 million in cap space when you deduct his salary from that of Djax and Hump. He won’t be on the same level immediately but could be a steal if he amounts to a deep threat and a guy that could catch a slant or screen and take it to the house.
February 27th, 2019 at 9:07 am
I’m not sure why people think humphries is expendable. Pay him what he wants. You could argue he is the Bucs most consistent receiver. It would be foolish to let him walk. The offense will suffer if they do.
February 27th, 2019 at 9:08 am
Beasley couldn’t hold Hump’s jock BTW.
February 27th, 2019 at 9:12 am
If we ended up with extra trade down picks….this is the guy I want
WR Deebo Samuel
see ya …Hump….
February 27th, 2019 at 9:13 am
Humpries is an important part to the Bucs passing game. Don’t know why some fans would just dump him. Who would you replace him with? We all know that things are not just plug and play when it comes to Jason Licht.
February 27th, 2019 at 9:16 am
Hump can be replaced with Hunter Renfrow who is his clone. You can have him for a 7th round pick in this year’s draft.
February 27th, 2019 at 9:17 am
Tbbucs3 Says:
February 27th, 2019 at 9:13 am
Humpries is an important part to the Bucs passing game. Don’t know why some fans would just dump him.
.
.
. I don’t think anyone wants to “dump” him…it is a matter of cap dollars and the position he plays…losing player to market value happens to many teams
February 27th, 2019 at 9:22 am
What the Buc
That’s ridiculous.
February 27th, 2019 at 9:25 am
for the record: we are not DUMPING or LETTING Hump walk. . . if the market is set too high we simply can’t afford him.
There are too many holes and not enough cap space or draft picks to fill them all.
Its a business decision nothing more
I like Hump as much as the next person – but sometimes tough decisions have to be made.
We can’t pay a #3 wr that kind of money with the issues we have moving into 2019
February 27th, 2019 at 9:34 am
Lol we can’t afford Antonio brown … he’s gonna end up in Carolina just watch
February 27th, 2019 at 9:35 am
Hey that guy … the patriots have a slot reciever in Edelman … they need a big reciever … what are u talking about lmao
February 27th, 2019 at 9:36 am
Humps track record runs deep @joe i know john ross isnt better statistically but maybe the bengals cant get him right
February 27th, 2019 at 9:39 am
We need to be careful not to over-value Hump. He’s a great story and a gritty player. I would love for us to retain him, but not at starting WR money.
See this is how bad franchises stay in the basement. We act like Hump is an every-down player, he’s not. Why would we go out and overpay a part-time player? EVERY football player can be replaced. We should not overspend for sentimental reasons.
John Ross?! Why? 16 games, 21 receptions over the span of TWO seasons. He’s shown nothing at the pro level. I’d be fine getting Watson and company reps instead.
February 27th, 2019 at 9:45 am
Hump may be a number 3 but his productive says that of a high caliber #2 WR. You know what happens when you take away your 2d best receiver? The QBs numbers go down.
February 27th, 2019 at 9:47 am
Bucsfanman
Ya John Ross may be bad but what makes you think that “Watson and company” is any better? As far as I know John Ross has 21 more career receptions than Justin Watson.
February 27th, 2019 at 9:56 am
Hump better than ME in that ME is JW (Crabman) #1 man. Eyes on him at all times and gets any ball any chance he can. throw it near him and let ME jump up and hopefully catch it. just dont let it hit him in the numbers or expect ME not to step out of bounds 1 yard shy of first down.
Hump better than ME in many respects, not physically though.
February 27th, 2019 at 9:58 am
You know, Arians could surprise us and take a WR with his first pick…man…the Skyway would be busy!
February 27th, 2019 at 10:03 am
Swap DJax and Brown, move OJ to the slot.
February 27th, 2019 at 10:05 am
So, let me get this straight…
…some of you think a WR group of Mike Evans, Wilson, Watson and Baily is good enough????
Are you people completely insane????
We NEED Humphries, especially with Jackson leaving!
February 27th, 2019 at 10:05 am
And no to swapping Jackson for Brown.
February 27th, 2019 at 10:06 am
I must be off my meds, cause bonzai been making a LOT of sense lately
almost said it the other day. lol
February 27th, 2019 at 10:06 am
I can see it now…Brown has a melt down and the same people wanting him now will say Licht is an idiot for making the trade later.
February 27th, 2019 at 10:08 am
Robert
You have lost all credibility
Mike Evans is one of 3 players in nfl history with 1,000 yards in each season they have been in nfl. Randy moss and receiver from Cincinnati was the other but not sure he did last year. Jerry rice didn’t even do it.
Mike Evans hasn’t even scratched the surface on what he can do. He is open every play. Arians will know how to get the ball too just like fitzgerald in Arizona. We underutilize him to date. Watch his numbers skyrocket
Hump can’t hold mike Evans jock
Please
Stop
February 27th, 2019 at 10:17 am
With Evans, Godwin, Hump, OJ, Brate, and a good RB Corp this is a great set of weapons.
February 27th, 2019 at 10:25 am
2i would trade next years 6th for john ross….talent is their….he had 6TD’s….imo, he’s been misused and under developed….
regarding hump, would love to keep him but its a business…gotta let him walk….
time for bobo and watson to step up….use more 2 TE sets as well….
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING…GO BUCS!!!!
February 27th, 2019 at 10:38 am
@bird
for that matter the bucs, 1/2 the posters here and the joes have lost all credibility if you’re basing this on how things have turned out.
you comparing ME to jerry rice is friggin astronomically comical at the very least and you speak of credibility?
February 27th, 2019 at 10:45 am
Robert
Read my post. Not comparing to jerry rice. Said he has accomplished something rice hasn’t.
That means he is special. Mike Evans still has long career ahead.
No one is jerry rice.
No one is randy moss.
Like comparing player to Jordan or lebron or Kobe.
One thing mike Evans is not. He is not even close to Humphries who has enjoyed having all these beheamoths on the field so he gets matched up against the worst dB or slow linebacker.
And I love Humphries. He is one of my favorite players. He is not worth 10 but I hope bucs can keep. Think he is gone.
February 27th, 2019 at 10:46 am
Again
Robert = 0 street cred
Humphries better then mike Evans. That just made my day. Thank you . I can’t stop laughing.
February 27th, 2019 at 10:46 am
What you folks think don’t mean squat. AB like many other ballers in this league love BA. You goody two shoes corn ball sound stupid. “He quits on the team” but leave out “arguably the best wideout in the NFL. This dude just told what Peter King said the other day. And in typical Jbf fashion you square cubes start downplaying it as if any of you are in the loop when it comes to these affairs. Same waldo’s will be pumping your fist with glee when he comes in and does what he normally does… Score touchdowns.
February 27th, 2019 at 10:50 am
tbbucs3- There’s no guarantee, you’re 100%. However, Watson and company’s salary together is less than what Ross makes, I think.
I guess my point was primarily that Ross is clearly injury-prone and unreliable as a target. 21 receptions on 60 targets is not a good percentage.
I feel like there are better options than John Ross. And, that is ‘IF’ they don’t sign Hump.
February 27th, 2019 at 11:05 am
So many GMs round here counting other people’s money. All I know is year before last eagles weren’t at the top of the league in salary cap space and signed a gang of people. Same can be said for the rams last season. Common denominator they both went to Super Bowl the up coming season. Stick to being fans man. Let the people that actually hold and spend the money handle the particulars.
February 27th, 2019 at 11:31 am
I would like to see last year’s fifth round draft, Justin Watson fill Humphries slot role. Watson is faster, stronger and taller (6’3″) than Humphries. Not sure how well he runs his routes but he did display descent hands during the last year’s training camp.
February 27th, 2019 at 11:41 am
street cred….lol
thats what I seek on JBF
seriously bird……………i’m sure mah gotcha some meatloaf ready.
back to kickin ass and takin names
I should change my name to kickin wing!
February 27th, 2019 at 11:48 am
There are millions of these scrappy undersized receivers running around. We can get one late in the draft as an easy replacement, or as an undrafted free agent.
Humphries is easily replaceable.
February 27th, 2019 at 12:00 pm
Arians moved Fitzgerald to the slot because he likes a big slot receiver. Not only big but a good blocker. I don’t think he’ll move Evans to the slot but I can see Watson (or another big Wr via FA or draft) getting a shot at the slot at some point.
Robert always prefers a certain ‘type’ of player over another. At least he’s consistent.
Renfrow’s catch radius is sick that guy is flying up draft boards. Everybody has their team getting both Renfrow and G Lindstrom. Since there’s not 32 of each I think both those guys will be drafted much higher than currently thought.
February 27th, 2019 at 12:04 pm
Jamaal Stanley Says:
“What you folks think don’t mean squat. AB like many other ballers in this league love BA. You goody two shoes corn ball sound stupid. “
((((((
Could you consider speaking English and in complete sentences?
February 27th, 2019 at 12:19 pm
Hump has the best hands of the corp and his catches and YAC is what gets constant first downs and what Jameis needs to move the ball down the field. If you didn’t notice, Jameis isn’t the best going down town.
February 27th, 2019 at 12:20 pm
Sounds to me like we will be rolling the dice with Jones (RB) Hump is gone, DJAX is out so we roll with Evans, Godwin, OJ, Brate, Watson, Bobo and Bailey.
Cap strangled we better do a really good job in the draft. . . js
February 27th, 2019 at 12:46 pm
I don’t expect Brate to stick around.
February 27th, 2019 at 12:48 pm
I wouldn’t even question bring back Hump if we had the same offense.
This offense will be different and they might let Hump go not because of money but because of scheme.
Bruce moved Reggie Wayne to slot. Wayne credits Brice for some of his best years.
In Arizona Fitzgerald was moved to slot and had some of his best years as a very old player.
Seems safe to assume that Bruce would not be using a possession receiver in his slot role. I will guess that either Godwin or Evans will be working from the slot next year…….whether Hump is here or not.
The question now becomes how much will Bruce use a third wideout? And what will his role be?……….It’s not crazy to think that Hump(who has limited abilities) isn’t the best fit for this offense………It may have nothing to do with money too. It may be more about which player fits best into Bruce’s plan.
February 27th, 2019 at 12:52 pm
Hump should be very grateful to Winston. Them 2 working very hard together perfecting their craft.
I highly doubt Hump would have put up the same numbers had he gone to most other team.
It’s a testemant to how hard work pays off……..And I think this is a huge reason why Hump is a fan favorite.
Glad to see the man getting paid this season. It’s refreshing to see players who had to earn every single penny that they have made.
GO BUCS!!!
February 27th, 2019 at 2:43 pm
Slots a plenty in the draft. I’ll take DJax cash to keep Hump…But wouldn’t be opposed to Parris Campbell as a surprise day 2 pick or someone like Clemson WR Renfrow at the top of the 7th.