Rookie Receivers Making A Difference
November 15th, 2025
Flippin’ good.
Depending how Tez Johnson continues to progress, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht sure hit the Mega Millions with these two rookie wide receivers.
There’s not much to say about Emeka Egbuka. He is simply sensational.
Had the Bucs not drafted Egbuka, in the immortal words of Gunnery Sgt. Hartman, the Bucs would be in a world of sh!t. With Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan missing most of the season with injuries, Joe cannot imagine where the Bucs would be without Egbuka.
Joe has a hunch the Bucs’ division title streak would be over this season had Licht not pulled a “Millen.”
(That has to be one of the all-time uneducated, worst takes.)
The surprise here is the steady development of seventh-round draft pick Tez Johnson. Initially thought to be a return man, by necessity, Johnson has been pressed into duty on offense. And he sure hasn’t embarrassed himself.
Last week in a loss to the Patriots, Johnson had a pair of touchdown catches. Of the rookie receivers this season, Johnson is tied for third in touchdown catches with four.
Johnson is also tied for third for rookie receivers in average yards per catch at 13.4 yards.
With YAC, Johnson is fifth for rookie receivers, averaging 4.6 yards a catch.
If Johnson continues to improve, who knows? Maybe he will be a full-time starter next year, even with Godwin and McMillan healthy.
November 15th, 2025 at 12:30 am
Joe … ‘If Johnson continues to improve, who knows? Maybe he will be a full-time starter next year, even with Godwin and McMillan healthy.’
Hmmm, sounds like you’ve written off Mike Evans returning for another year as a Buc.
November 15th, 2025 at 12:39 am
I told everyone that Tez is gonna be a bad ass. I was rewatching the game and u can see Baker was forcing passes 2 E². He had Tez open on an out route in the 2nd drive of the game on 3rd but he forced it 2 E². Incompletion, punt. Later in the 1st Baker had an open Shepard on an outside post route but again Baker forces it 2 E². Both times the CB was several yards away from shep n Tez. Also Baker had time 2 scan the field. The Tez route the CB was going in another direction trying 2 recover.
November 15th, 2025 at 12:41 am
Zero idea what his plans are.
November 15th, 2025 at 12:47 am
Defense Rules Says:
November 15th, 2025 at 12:30 am
Joe … ‘If Johnson continues to improve, who knows? Maybe he will be a full-time starter next year, even with Godwin and McMillan healthy.’
Hmmm, sounds like you’ve written off Mike Evans returning for another year as a Buc.
——-
Good observation. Which quickly brings to mind the remarks Ronde made earlier in the season. Although somewhat cryptic I know that when I read it, it suggested to me that he could only be referring to the greatest Buccaneers receiver of all time. Mike Evans. What an amazing player. Whenever he does leave it will be a sad day in Buccaneers land.
November 15th, 2025 at 1:14 am
It’d be a damn shame if that Detroit game / this season is the last we ever saw of Evans. Obviously it’s possible, but I think it will depend on how he feels when he gets healthy this season.
In a certain way, I could see him wanting to come back for 1 more season even more, so that he can still go out on his own terms and not have injury end his career. But who knows?
Those numbers show just how much of a stud he’s always been.
November 15th, 2025 at 1:21 am
Joe … ‘Zero idea what his (Mike Evans) plans are.’
Thought you might have some inside information that you couldn’t decisively share yet Joe.
I personally expect that Mike will call it a career & hang it up next year. His attempt to get an 11th straight year of 1,000 yards receiving has obviously ended, and I think that wa a big thing that kept him going.
Also expect LVD to hang it up after this season. He’s obviously been making the decisions to continue on a year-to-year basis. I think a major consideration to Lavonte was to enhance his HOF resume; he’s obviously very deserving, but those early years could take a toll. These latter years effectively offset that I think.
Not sure what I think yet of Chris Godwin continuing his Buc career. He’s had a very tough go of it over these past couple years physically (and actually since BA got here in 2019 & changed how he was used). Love the guy as a receiver, but at some point all those injuries have to take a toll on your psyche.
November 15th, 2025 at 2:37 am
EE has been a great addition. He was phenomenal when another #1a or #1b has been on the field at beginning of season. He has been focused on more now with the injurys. Tez being the smallest player in the NFL has been a contributor. He capitalized on his opportunity. I think Jason would have to promise Mike and David a sell out during free agency adding big name impact players around them to return. Still got this year left as well of course. A SB is the perfect out. A couple L’s here the panic button is on for the season. Got to stay in control of your own destiny.
November 15th, 2025 at 3:08 am
Dude gives me Gramattica vibes- wish he’d stop flipping like that. Makes me wince every time- that pic did it to me lol
November 15th, 2025 at 3:38 am
If Mike can get healthy, truly healthy and only he will know, he comes back for one more year. No way he goes out like this. Unless of course we win the ring this year, which i give about a 5% chance at the moment. He knows Mek will draw attention next year and he can post one last final 1k yard season. Plus, if we stay mostly healthier next year, I think we have a REAL shot at getting to the final game.
November 15th, 2025 at 3:57 am
“Maybe he will be a full-time starter next year, even with Godwin and McMillan healthy.”
Not sure about that one Joe, but he has done way more than I could have expected coming out of camp. 7th round rookie receivers usually are quite lucky to make the PS. He is not Godwin, but Godwin may not get back to the level he was at. McMillan still has some room to improve as well IMO.
Jason did well but I think he will keep looking for another WR in the draft. Wondering if Shepard is one of those who got called out by Bowles this week.
Go Bucs!
Go Bucs!
November 15th, 2025 at 8:10 am
Chris Brazzell II next spring, he’d be an excellent addition and he’s from Texas
November 15th, 2025 at 8:25 am
@Delson
good observation . Baker was definitely forcing to Mek but with tez a problem might be he might not be where he is supposed to be. Still I think Baker now knows and will depend more on finding where tez is – ESPECIALLY when Baker has to break the pocket and receivers have to adjust to it.
Tez’s ability to change direction on a dime makes him potentially the best on the team to get open BUT he has to get down his routes before Grizz can consistently use that skill.
I expect Tez to have at least one play where his YAC goes to the house or completely changes a game