Bucs Offense Could Be Dangerous
May 24th, 2025
Time to prove worth.
Joe typed after the draft noting Bucs losers that week included receivers Ryan Miller, Rakim Jarrett and Trey Palmer.
Why is that? Because the Bucs sandwiched their draft with a top-shelf receiver in Emeka Egbuka and a squirrel-like returner/receiver in Tez Johnson.
If those guys make the team — well, if Johnson makes the team; no one in their right mind thinks Egbuka won’t — that means two receivers from last year’s squad likely could walk the plank.
The Bucs now have so many weapons for Baker Mayfield, he may have the deepest receiver room in the league, typed Dalton Wasserman of the PFF tribe.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Deepest receiving corps in the league?
The Buccaneers made one of the most surprising moves of the first round by selecting wide receiver Emeka Egbuka with the 19th overall pick. Coming off a strong free agency period in which they re-signed Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay has quietly assembled what may be the deepest receiving corps in the NFL. Egbuka and Godwin now join Mike Evans, Jalen McMillan, Trey Palmer, Sterling Shepard and seventh-round pick Tez Johnson in a stacked, versatile group of pass-catchers.
With this arsenal at his disposal, Baker Mayfield enters 2025 with more weapons than ever, and the Bucs’ offense could be one of the most dangerous in the league if everything clicks.
As a general manager told Joe a long time ago, if you aren’t starting, you better be able to play special teams, or you’re an endangered species.
Thus far, Palmer has never been able to connect smoothly with Mayfield on deep passes. That’s the main reason Palmer is on the team, along with his return ability. Palmer has also been meh as a return man. So if Johnson can prove reliable on deep passes and be a dangerous returner, then Palmer better hope he’s renting.
(Why Palmer was not used on short routes to utilize his speed last year, like Dave Canales used him occasionally in 2023, is a mystery to Joe. It’s not like he didn’t have opportunities when both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin were sidelined with injuries.)
When a serviceable veteran like Sterling Shepard could be your No. 5 or No. 6 receiver, yeah, Joe would say that’s a fairly deep receiver room.
May 24th, 2025 at 1:03 am
Every team has their weak spots. The Bucs have very few. Very well rounded team, with quality depth and complementary offensive players. I really do expect a great year!
There’s been several posts around not talking it up too much. I think that’s nonsense. There’s something to be said for confidence and expectation that you are one of the best teams. I believe these Bucs players will learn from past mistakes and grow.
May 24th, 2025 at 1:05 am
I also still sense the potential for a splash play by Jason.
May 24th, 2025 at 5:17 am
Deep in garbage. That’s what Miller, Palmer, and Jarrett are, garbage. The Bucs used their first pick, and their last pick on receivers. They wouldn’t have done that if Miller, Palmer, and Jarrett were any good.
May 24th, 2025 at 5:42 am
“Why Palmer was not used on short routes to utilize his speed last year, like Dave Canales used him occasionally in 2023, is a mystery to Joe.”
Oh noes! Say it ain’t so Joe! You mean Liam didn’t actually walk on water after all? *snark font off*
@OR Buc
“There’s something to be said for confidence and expectation that you are one of the best teams.”
Wait…wait…didn’t you hear the story about the little train who chugged up the hill saying “I think I can’t, I think I can’t”?
There is also science backing your point OR. Positive thoughts lead your brain to secrete Dopamine the “feel good” neuro transmitter. Negative thinking leads the brain to secrete Cortisol and Adrenline…great for the fight or flight syndrome but very wearing on your health if overdone…as in some of our poor Trolls.
May 24th, 2025 at 6:33 am
@OR Buc, he’s got some cap room, so he could make a move.
The most likely move IMO is to acquire a ILB, either via trade or free agency, if one becomes available. I don’t know if it will be a splash play, but needs to at least be quality depth.
May 24th, 2025 at 7:02 am
Could be? Barring injuries, i think we have a SB offense. No question in my mind.
May 24th, 2025 at 7:09 am
Do we keep 5 or 6?
May 24th, 2025 at 7:28 am
What have TPalmer done for us lately? Glad you asked. On punt returns, repeatedly ran to the left seeking out of bounds;ran to the right seeking out of bounds, n as a receiver, has no clue how to separate from a defender or when open either bobble or drop the ball, n ultimately, he’s a scared 2.0 Jaden Darden. TPalmer’s td run against the eagles in the 2023 playoff game was a no more than a fluke. Anyone remember his interview during his rookie season OTA training when he said he was taught in college “see ball catch ball”. A bunch of hog wash. TPalmer’s gotta go.
May 24th, 2025 at 7:32 am
ME13
CG14
JMac
E2
Shepard
Tez
Got to keep 6
May 24th, 2025 at 7:46 am
Senior Harry
You are correct, Sir.
Palmer & Jarrett to the PS
There are always injuries so likely they will be called up.
May 24th, 2025 at 7:51 am
I agree with the PS for them, but I fear they wouldn’t last long before some WR desperate team snatches them off.
May 24th, 2025 at 8:22 am
“Palmer better hope he’s renting.”
You write the BEST lines, Joe’s.
Cracks me up. Thank you.
May 24th, 2025 at 8:27 am
Dudes aren’t using your brains. Shepherd doesn’t make the team to be WR 4-6. Those positions HAVE to play special teams. Zero chance.
First, Mayfield trusts him greatly and that matters. Second, Shepherd returned punts in college and a small handful with the Giants. He certainly could do it in a pinch.–Joe
May 24th, 2025 at 8:35 am
If Godwin starts out the season unavailable, which of the ‘other’ WRs would be most likely to be the last one kept?
May 24th, 2025 at 8:50 am
Well, they better score a ton of points because I am not convinced the canyon at ILB is resolved.
May 24th, 2025 at 9:15 am
End of the season I kept asking myself who the heck is Ryan Miller. Apparently Baker knows and trusts him cuz he kept throwing the guy the ball. I’ve heard tons about Jarrett, have never seen him do anything. Palmer’s speed is world class but he drops the ball, same as in college. Not a fan of Shepard but Baker IS. We keep 6 WR’s with Miller on the PS and possibly some surprises from camp. Canales picks up Palmer. Jarrett likely odd man out.
May 24th, 2025 at 9:26 am
Palmer sucks.
May 24th, 2025 at 9:43 am
What I like about the new guys are they have solid hands and create separation with the route running. This offense has all the potential. I would love to see them reach the level of the 2013 Broncos which was a record breaking 37 pts a game.
May 24th, 2025 at 9:52 am
Palmer has speed but he’s not polished. His route running needs a lot of work.
May 24th, 2025 at 9:54 am
Cobra
Agree about the “canyon at ILB” and am not sure either. It will probably end up being the weakest spot…but…
IF AW returns to form having the best safety in the league to clean up some of the messes, a guy who is a genuine play maker will make a MAJOR difference on our D IMHO. I don’t expect Winfield to fill in on all the runs but I do think Todd trusts him enough to let him roam ala Palamalou. Antoine could be a “difference maker”.
May 24th, 2025 at 10:11 am
Senor Harry in Costa Rica nailed it. Unless Tez is tragically overhyped, He’s the clear #6, bumping out Palmer. It’s all going to come down to which of the two is a better kick returner.
That said, whoever is the odd man out won’t stay on the practice squad long. They’ll be snatched up by another team long before the Bucs have a WR injury.