The Bucs’ season just ended, but it’s already time to get serious about the 2022 NFL Draft. On Monday, Kasey Hudson, Matt Matera and I will be heading to Mobile, Alabama for the 2022 Senior Bowl. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we’ll be scouting the top seniors in the class.

One of the key position groups we’ll be watching will be wide receivers. The Bucs will likely re-sign Chris Godwin, but are in desperate need of more talented depth at the position. Are there any Senior Bowl wide receivers that could end up as Tampa Bay draft targets?

As a quick reminder, here are some of the traits GM Jason Licht values at wide receiver. Hint: think speed, speed and size in the first three rounds.

South Alabama WR Jalen Tolbert • 6-3, 195 • RS Junior

Tolbert is my favorite of the Senior Bowl wide receivers I’ve been able to scout. He’s big, long and has impressive acceleration for his size. Tolbert’s contested catch ability stands out on tape in a variety of ways. He’s able to track the ball in the air and finish above the rim on back shoulder throws or over his head. Tolbert’s leaping ability and strong hands are a real asset down the field, especially when paired with his speed.

Of course, the key will be how he handles better cornerback play in Mobile. In the Sun Belt, Tolbert physically manhandled corners at the top of his route and in the air. Playing on his home college field for the Senior Bowl, can Tolbert make better competition look bad too? He has the physical and athletic traits the Bucs covet in wide receivers. Now we’ll see if he can show out against Power 5 defenders.

Nevada WR Romeo Doubs • 6-2, 200 • Senior

Nevada WR Romeo Doubs – Photo by: USA Today

One of the best size/speed threats in college football, it will be a little bit of a surprise if Doubs doesn’t show out in Alabama. Doubs was Carson Strong’s top target at Nevada, making his money as a vertical target. He also did better than expected in contested catch spots, given his lanky frame. Not many receivers in college football matched Doubs’ big-play ability.

But while Doubs looks like a deep ball burner, there are questions about the rest of his game. Can he run the full route and gain separation? Will his upright running style inhibit his ability to sink and break off man coverage against top competition? We won’t see Doubs get post-catch opportunities until the Senior Bowl game on Saturday. But watching his tape, it’s fair to wonder how dangerous he is with the ball in his hands. There’s plenty to prove in Mobile for another likely Bucs’ target at wide receiver.

Cincinnati WR Alec Pierce • 6-3, 213 • Senior

Pierce put his name into draft conversations this fall with a strong senior season. He posted 52 catches for 873 yards and eight touchdowns as Desmond Ridder’s favorite receiver. Almost all of Pierce’s production came as a contested catch receiver down the field. Per PFF, Pierce had 13 deep ball catches and 13 contested grabs this past season. Both those numbers tied for 18th-best in all of college football.

However, Pierce faces serious concerns about his speed and separation ability at the next level. Given all the one-on-one matchups in Mobile, it should be the perfect environment for Pierce to prove the doubts wrong. Like Doubs, Pierce will also need to prove his post-catch prowess during the game next Saturday.

Ole Miss WR Dontario Drummond • 6-1, 220 • RS Senior

Drummond is one of the more unusual wide receiver prospects in this class. The redshirt senior will be 25 years old in August, and has just one year of real college production. He’s a physically imposing wide receiver who occasionally played H-back for the Rebels. Drummond’s calling card is what he can do after the catch, showing light feet and strength few defensive backs can match.

Having said that, Drummond has a long way to go to prove he’s capable of producing in the NFL. At Ole Miss, he was often used as a slot receiver against off coverage. Drummond sat in the middle of the field and caught short, uncontested targets for most of his final season. In fact, Drummond’s average depth of target was just over six yards downfield per PFF, tied for 460th in college football! He’s a long hand-off wide receiver.

There were some impressive moments after the catch, but I don’t think this guy is Deebo Samuel. Drummond’s route tree is limited, as are his reps against press coverage. It might take him awhile to become a traditional receiver in the NFL. As a 25-year old rookie, that’s not exactly an ideal scenario. Can Drummond prove he has enough gadget play/return/special teams ability to become the next Cordarrelle Patterson?