Todd Bowles Believes Selecting Receivers Will Be His Toughest Call
August 2nd, 2025
Bubble or safe?
There is no doubt that the Bucs’ receivers room is the deepest position on the team.
Joe firmly believes the Bucs have dudes that might be cut who would otherwise start for other teams.
And Todd Bowles knows picking who stays when the team has to whittle the roster down to the mandated 53 on Aug. 30 will be challenging.
“They’ve all been playing well,” Bowles said. “They’re all talented. That’s probably going to be the toughest spot to pick as far as making the ball club.
“We got a lot better at that position. Obviously, we drafted two, but we have some guys here that can play, as well. With guys nicked up, the other guys are getting opportunities and they have the chance to show themselves.”
The sad thing is, rookie seventh-round pick Tez Johnson isn’t taking advantage. Joe really thinks there is one roster spot for either Trey Palmer or Johnson. And that spot is a deep threat/return man.
Palmer has been nicked up with an undisclosed injury (teams are not obligated to share injury information until four days before their Week 1 game). So now is a perfect opportunity for Johnson to showcase himself. But Johnson, too, is sidelined with an (undisclosed) injury. So he cannot take advantage of Palmer’s absence, and vice versa.
Joe remembers recently hearing former Bucs guard Ian Beckles on social media talk about how important every snap is in training camp if a player is battling for a roster spot.
Losing just one snap, Beckles said, is losing an opportunity to impress the right people. Every snap is a chance to impress. And a player cannot impress anyone watching from the sidelines.
As for bubble players at receiver, Joe still thinks Sterling Shepard makes the team. Sometimes, it’s not what you know but who you know. Baker Mayfield and Shepard, who caught 32 passes last season, are tight. That counts for something, right?
August 2nd, 2025 at 5:15 pm
Sterling Shepard has been on the practice squad before, hasn’t he? Put him there so we can keep Tez if that’s how the numbers shake out.
August 2nd, 2025 at 5:15 pm
@Joe: “Joe really thinks that there is one roster spot for either Trey Palmer or Johnson. And that is a deep threat/return man.”
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I agree that there will be at most, one roster spot for the two of them. But the other one can be put onto the practice squad, and be protected.
August 2nd, 2025 at 5:44 pm
The only WR that will truly be protected on the PS is Sterling Shepard due to he would be a free agent and not subject to waivers. He has stated that he will only play with Baker. Believe Chris will start the season on the PUP list. So could keep Evans, McMillan, Ebuka, Tez and Palmer. Sterling if we keep 6. If not put him on the practice squad.
To be brutally honest, was disappointed in Palmer last year compared to 2023 version. Especially disappointed in his punt returning. He does not use his NFL best short burst over the first 10 yards. Almost always runs immediately to the sidelines.
August 2nd, 2025 at 5:46 pm
👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆
If he passes through waivers.
August 2nd, 2025 at 5:48 pm
“Baker Mayfield and Shepard, who caught 32 passes last season, are tight. That counts for something, right?“
Nope, if Tez or Trey are better all around, keep either of them. Shepard doesn’t return kicks, and we can get his production from Egbuka at the least. Wouldn’t be suprised of the rookie doesn’t catch 32 passes before the midway point of the season.
August 2nd, 2025 at 5:50 pm
Watch out for Jacob Harris. 6’5” , 219, 4.4. The guy is big and slightly faster than Tez.
August 2nd, 2025 at 5:54 pm
We need to trade Palmer for a 7th round pick before it’s too late.
Tez Johnson needs a redshirt season to gain 15 pounds of muscle.
Rakim Jarrett and Ryan Miller proved that they can block and make tough catches.
Rakim Jarrett and Ryan Miller can take a hit and not flinch.
Godwin needs to be put on PUP.
Kameron Johnson might not make it. Sadly. He’s not bad.
But Tez Johnson is too small to play this year. Godwin will miss half the season.
Rakim and Ryan Miller are keepers.
Palmer needs to be traded ASAP.
Baker just doesn’t have a good enough long ball to keep him.
Palmer is a one trick pony. He can’t block and he runs out of bounds. He’s a terrible returner too.
Sorry to speak the harsh truth
August 2nd, 2025 at 6:07 pm
Trey Palmer got pushed “out of sight out of mind” somehow, for all of last year.
The last time he played regularly, Palmer was an active #3 receiver (now, with McMillan, he’d be a #4 or #5), and he seemed to belong there.
IMO, I wouldn’t give up on Palmer; he’s already “been there” with regard to the experience and responsibility that goes with being a “starter;” and has done well for the most part; the other option-players mentioned are still under “prove it” status: Shepard was decent last year but with some “drops;” but that was short-term under circumstances due to the injuries of Mike & Chris, and it’s unknown how he’d play on a regular basis.
Palmer has played continuously, “game in n’ out” long-term, with the benefits of a few years of coaching, already.
August 2nd, 2025 at 6:07 pm
Someone who could free up a spot is Ko Kieft. No one talks about the guy and he basically just blocks. Maybe he could be backup OL lol, but seriously with Durham and Culp emerging we should cut him and carry 7 receivers: Evans, McMillan, Egbuka, Shepard, Palmer, Tez, Miller/Houston/Jarrett/Kam, Godwin (IR). One of those last 4 get cut if Godwin starts week 1. Or we cut Palmer, keep Tez. I’m surprised Palmer isnt trade bait.
August 2nd, 2025 at 6:09 pm
Joe is there any truth to the rumor Bucs trading\acquiring Micah Parsons?
Go Bucs SB now
August 2nd, 2025 at 6:09 pm
Since Tez, Trey, Ryan Miller been out with injuries
Dennis Houston has been lighting it up
He did the exact same thing with the Cowboys a few years ago
August 2nd, 2025 at 6:32 pm
Cometowin2 Says:
The only WR that will truly be protected on the PS is Sterling Shepard due to he would be a free agent and not subject to waivers. He has stated that he will only play with Baker.
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If Shepard will only play with Baker, he needs no protection if he’s on the practice squad. No team can sign him against his will.
August 2nd, 2025 at 6:34 pm
First Last – I agree. Keep 3TEs and 7WRs. I like Kieft, but he’s less valuable than Shep or Tez or Trey.
August 2nd, 2025 at 6:41 pm
I like our receiver position too but which guys getting cut would START for another team, and which one? Hyperbole thy name is Jose.
August 2nd, 2025 at 8:11 pm
The Bucs third and fourth receivers could be number twos on some NFL teams, would be the best thing you could say about depth, I think. After that, they are all question marks.
August 2nd, 2025 at 8:14 pm
Lucky Todd Bowles! Hope he has many problems like this one these next several years. Go Shep! Fire em’ up and block through the whistle!
August 2nd, 2025 at 8:36 pm
We have already seen what Trey Palmer can do, so lets see what Tez Johnson can do now. Anyway I think these 2 guys will be getting lots of playing time in the preseason games and it will be more clear after that.
August 2nd, 2025 at 8:59 pm
I was for signing Sterling Shepard last year, and early one I thought he played pretty well in limited duty, but he sure seemed to wear down as the year went along as Baker targeted him way too much. I’d probably let him go unless he had an amazing camp.
Also, Tez should be a lock to make the team as a returner unless he looks totally outmatched in practice, and best I can tell, that hasn’t been the case.
Palmer… I don’t know, I’d keep him over Shepard since there is still some upside and he can return, but I also won’t be heartbroken if he doesn’t make the team.
Kameron Johnson is being completely overlooked – remember he made the team last year, only to get injured and miss the year. I’d much rather have someone like that, with upside, sticking around – although he’d easily make it to the practice squad as well, as opposed to the bigger names, so that might keep him from making the team (assuming his health is good).
In any case, I’m still assuming Godwin isn’t going to be available until probably around the middle of the season, so you got an extra opening there. I’d love to be wrong on that.
August 2nd, 2025 at 9:53 pm
Tez has been great so far coming in as a rookie. Tez Johnson is very close to being a lock to make the final 53 based on what he’s shown.
That leaves 1 spot available (assuming the Bucs keep 6 WRs) that Shepard, Palmer, Jarrett, Kam Johnson and Ryan Miller are all fighting for.
August 2nd, 2025 at 10:33 pm
Tez has had what? 6 professional practices, in a camp cupcake.
I don’t think anyone can say what he is after just that.
August 3rd, 2025 at 1:15 am
Shepherd , for being a veteran, loses his cool a bit too much . A bit volatile. He’s one 15 yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty just waiting to be called. I fear he’s gonna chuck his helmet and cost us a game. Hope I’m wrong.
August 3rd, 2025 at 4:55 am
Hard decisions for sure. Having that many good players, are really nice problems to have though. I am pulling for Tez, Trey, and Shep. You are right on, Joe. Sometimes it is who you know too. Can’t wait to hear more about the injuries in the weeks to come. It was mentioned on one of the post about hamstring injuries. Maybe that’s it for a couple of players. The high temps with pads seemed more intense than seasons before and didn’t help.
August 3rd, 2025 at 9:23 am
It wouldn’t remotely be a tie beteeen Tez and Trey. One has experience of several years and the other is a rookie. If they’re even, you keep the guy ROH upside, and a much longer cheap contract. A literal no-brainer here.
August 3rd, 2025 at 11:30 am
With Godwin out for the season, they’d better keep an extra WR on the roster constantly scouring the waiver wire. This is NOT a deep position. We have an elder WR that will miss games due to injury and absolutely zero depth behind him. This position is as weak as LB for the Bucs. When Evans goes down, and everyone laments WR depth, just remember, I told you so.
August 3rd, 2025 at 12:11 pm
Losing the top two WR’s is going to cripple any WR room in the league.
August 3rd, 2025 at 12:14 pm
Sterling Shepherd is NOT making the team. What purpose does a 4th-6th WR that DOESN’T play special teams?
August 3rd, 2025 at 12:40 pm
Jefff who says Godwin’s out for the season?
You..okay then. You’re always wrong.
August 3rd, 2025 at 1:33 pm
Shepard is average at best. Palmer is replaceable. Speed alone is not a thing anymore. Lots of big dudes can run too – like Jacob Harris we just signed, who runs 4.4 also but can win jump balls.
4 receivers: Evans, McMillan, Egbuka, Jarrett, Godwin
The others are a dog fight. Will be interesting.
August 3rd, 2025 at 2:19 pm
“Shepard is average at best. Palmer is replaceable. Speed alone is not a thing anymore. Lots of big dudes can run too – like Jacob Harris we just signed, who runs 4.4 also but can win jump balls.”
The speed thing will never lose its value, but it’s not as valuable if you cannot consistently take advantage of the speed from the pocket.
We kept Scotty Miller around in a room with Evans, AB, & Godwin for one very specific reasons and that’s because his speed allowed us to stretch the field on demand because Brady was money on those deep throws. There was even value to be had from drawing PIs without the completions.
August 3rd, 2025 at 11:52 pm
5 are set:
Evans, Godwin, McMillan, Egbuka, Sheppard
6th – Tez ?
Where does that leave Jarret, Miller, Kam Johnson.
I’m especially curious about Johnson because he’s an athletic freak and they hyped him up last year a little bit. They never did much besides a couple quick screens and reveres to him though and he got injured.
August 4th, 2025 at 12:45 am
I don’t think I ever was all that impressed by palmer. Sometimes got behind his guy only to drop.it. never understood the hype he got from fans. Always seemed more hype than production. Hasn’t shown me anything that suggests he deserves it over any of the other guys..I liked Jarret and Miller. Haven’t seen tez but some notes on him sounded good. Do worry about his size