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.
May 24th, 2025 at 11:34 am
Evans
Egbuka
Mcmillan
Tez
Shepherd
Palmer
Godwin starts on PUP.
May 24th, 2025 at 12:30 pm
Godwin is not starting out on PUP. I do think there is a real chance that they keep 7 WRs this year.
May 24th, 2025 at 12:35 pm
The two RB pony package was very productive last year.
Creative use of the pony RB package with two and even three RBs spread aroune the formation could create synergistic opportunities for the WR’s.
The uncertainty of knowing whether a motion RB is going to block, chip, run a Jets sweep or break a route tree up the field can make the defense hesitate or overcommit; both can be deadly when you have Evans taking DB’s deep, and Godwin, Egbuka or Stewart exploiting soft spots.
May 24th, 2025 at 1:09 pm
Will be dangerous. So incredibly happy with what Licht did in the draft and esp the first round.
Keep the offensive Porsche going and add defense.
With health and depth Bowles should get the defense turned around.
May 24th, 2025 at 1:17 pm
Who is Stewart?
May 24th, 2025 at 1:59 pm
Fans need to understand that the defense’s backend was decimated last year by injuries. Just going into the season healthy will make the defense better. Adding all the players in FAs, draft picks and coaching changes will vastly improve their defense. Especially the depth and outside rush. If they can stay relatively healthy I’m confident that it will be much better. In my opinion how well Grizz learns to call plays is the biggest question going into the season.
May 24th, 2025 at 2:03 pm
I like Palmer better than Sheppard, but both are kinda meh. Tez sounded interesting in rookie camp, but so did Dardung. It sounded like if that third round corner can’t start on defense he could be a part time reciever.
May 24th, 2025 at 2:28 pm
Injuries are no excuse for the Swiss cheese that spoiled right in front of our eyes last season.
Bucs fans know defense. The 2024 performance was an insulting abomination. Lavonte knows it, too.
May 24th, 2025 at 3:17 pm
Please tell that to your HC mancrush Dan Campbell too. You know, the guy who’s team gave up 45 pts to the Commanders 😉
May 24th, 2025 at 3:57 pm
I predict that Kam Johnson will stand out during the preseason workouts and will make the 53 men roster.
May 24th, 2025 at 5:24 pm
Nice call Calogero, everyone is forgetting about Johnson. He was the best of the backups when he wasn’t injured.
May 24th, 2025 at 8:40 pm
ill take Kam Johnson, over Shep.
May 25th, 2025 at 12:07 pm
Some of you need to pump your brakes because you forget that we have a ROOKIE OC like I believe Cornales was. Cornales caught himself trying to reign in Baker’s wildness that led to a lot of turnovers before he came here that’s why Palmer was used more on shorter routes. Cornales had no feeling for the game that’s why we didn’t score a single opening td all season long but also Mayfield had something to do with that. If Grizzard doesn’t develop a feel for the game then Mayfield will struggle and we’ll have a rehash of the 2022 season. Doesn’t matter how good our receiver group is.
May 25th, 2025 at 6:23 pm
We know we will probably have a good Offense. DEFENSE?