It’s All About The Hands
August 13th, 2020
Money.
Man, did the Bucs find a hidden gem in Chris Godwin.
Godwin was already a special receiver through three years with the Bucs. Problem was, the 24-year-old had his playing time limited in his first two seasons because he was down on the depth chart from malcontent DeSean Jackson.
In his first year as a full-time starter, Godwin totally blew up. And if you believe these very subjective stats from the PFF tribe, Godwin may be one of the most reliable receivers in the NFL.
Highest catch rate on contested targets, last 3 seasons:
1. Stefon Diggs – 61%
2. Michael Thomas – 60%
3. Chris Godwin – 59%
4. Allen Robinson II- 59%
5. Kenny Golladay – 58% pic.twitter.com/Y4fQ3FMJnd— PFF (@PFF) August 12, 2020
But how do these guys define a “contested catch?”
Regardless, that might be nitpicking. Godwin is a stud.
Now the trick is how will the Bucs be able to afford Godwin? He’s due for a serious salary increase in an offseason that is expected to see the salary cap drop like a rock.
No one has told Joe the following, but Joe can read the tea leaves. The Bucs are likely waiting until after the season to see if Shaq Barrett can come close to duplicating his 2019 production. In fact, Joe believes Godwin’s future very much depends on Shaq.
If Shaq has an awful year and bottoms out, the Bucs may decide to keep Godwin over Shaq, as Godwin would have a better body of work.
Or if Shaq has just an OK year, say 11 sacks, the Bucs may be able to sign Shaq for less money then the $16 million he’s earning this season, allowing Godwin to be franchised if necessary.
If Shaq leads the NFL in sacks again, there is just no way you can justify letting him go. Joe also isn’t sure how you could ever let Godwin walk.
If the Bucs keep both Shaq and Godwin (which would be very expensive), the 2021 starting roster will look far different than it does now.
August 13th, 2020 at 12:43 am
This guy is the real deal, best WR in Bucs history if he keeps it up.
August 13th, 2020 at 1:01 am
That’s the thing about PFF metrics…if you watch enough football your eyes usually confirm what they’re telling you. Godwin is elite in this regard…hell, he’s elite in most categories.
August 13th, 2020 at 3:21 am
Ndog Says:
“This guy is the real deal, best WR in Bucs history if he keeps it up.”
.
.
Yes! Not a diva, blocks downfield, and overall catch rate is over 70%, I’m pretty sure. I thought he should have been extended already!
August 13th, 2020 at 4:55 am
Chris Godwin has all of the tools!
August 13th, 2020 at 7:20 am
We made a mistake by not restructuring & extending Godwin this year…..I’m pretty sure the Gronk deal is what kept Licht from it.
I think it will be interesting to see how Gronk does and if he goes another year and for how much….we need to trade a TE for a Tackle and let Smith go.
Keep Godwin at all costs…..
August 13th, 2020 at 7:42 am
There’s probably a better chance of putting 40 pounds on O.J. Howard and making him a Left Tackle than someone trading a decent Tackle for one of the Bucs Tight Ends.
Agreed on Godwin, thank God he’s a Buc!
August 13th, 2020 at 7:50 am
Fattening up OJ Howard to play LT: 1% chance
Trading a TE for a LT: under 1%
August 13th, 2020 at 8:10 am
I love Godwin, but the 2nd most important position on the team, outside of QB, is pass rusher. If Shaq has another great year, if it came down to keeping him over Godwin, that is a no brainer – you keep the player who stops the opposing QB.
August 13th, 2020 at 8:33 am
Brate will be let go. Lesean McCoy won’t be a Buc for more than this season. Gronk will be gone unless they decide to keep him and release OJ Howard. Brady may agree to a pay cut to play one more season if they have success. But, yeah, the cap contraints are a problem.
August 13th, 2020 at 10:38 am
See it’s easy we are gonna pay Godwin no doubt. Because he leaves us no doubt we don’t have to wait on never mind.
August 13th, 2020 at 10:43 am
Godwin is a keeper and you can’t carry two monster contracts at WR. A good problem to have for the Bucs but a problem indeed.
August 13th, 2020 at 11:24 am
Godwin is a total stud, BUT he doesn’t have the body of work ME13 has.
What a great problem to have 🙂
August 13th, 2020 at 11:53 am
No way Godwin walks, regardless of how Shaq performs. Licht will find a way to make it work.