Welcome to the offseason edition of Bucs Briefing! My weekly column will appear each Wednesday morning, typically detailing key observations about the team’s offseason. We’ll look at tape, scheme, free agency, draft prospects and major storylines as we get ready for an offseason full of intrigue.

This week, we’re looking at the Bucs offseason outlook at wide receiver. Who are their free agents, which ones will likely return and what free agent/draft options at wide receiver make sense for Tampa Bay?

Bucs Free Agent WRs

Only one Bucs wide receiver is a free agent this offseason, but it’s a big one. Chris Godwin is expected to hit the market as one of the top wide receivers available. Currently, Pro Football Focus has Godwin’s next contract projected at four years, $70 million. That’s an average of $17.5 million per year, which would be more than Mike Evans’ average of $16.5 million.

Yes, the Bucs would have major money tied up in two wide receivers. But if a team wants to put money into a position group, wide receiver should be at the top of the list. Especially in Bruce Arians’ offense. The Bucs desperately need a game-changer at wide receiver, for whoever plays quarterback in 2022 and beyond. Few players can replace the impact Godwin makes in Tampa Bay’s offense. Tampa Bay needs to prioritize bringing him back as long as his health checks out.

Free Agents WRs For Bucs To Target

The Bucs aren’t going to have much money to spend in free agency if they bring back their own top free agents. If Tom Brady were back, I would recommend using void years to bring in a quality third wide receiver like JuJu Smith-Schuster or D.J. Chark. But now? I wouldn’t be looking to spend much. Could some bargain bin options be on the table for the Bucs?

Byron Pringle, Chiefs • Age: 28 • 42 catches, 568 yards, 5 touchdowns in 2021

Chiefs WR Byron Pringle – Photo by: USA Today

The Bucs have picked up a number of Chiefs castoffs in recent years, including Rakeem Nunez-Roches, LeSean McCoy, Deon Yelder and Darwin Thompson. I think they’ll have interest in Pringle this offseason, too. A Tampa native, Pringle broke out with a career year last season in Kansas City. He has the size (6-1, 201 pounds) and speed (4.46 40) that Jason Licht and Arians covet. Pringle has also improved by leaps and bounds during his time with the Chiefs. His inside-outside versatility would be super attractive to the Bucs, as would his underrated post-catch ability.

Zach Pascal, Colts • Age: 27 • 38 catches, 384 yards, 3 touchdowns in 2021

Pascal is a power slot who could be described as a discount Chris Godwin. In some ways, Smith-Schuster, Pringle and Pascal are cheaper options for the Bucs if they don’t re-sign Chris Godwin. But the latter two could also serve as quality depth options for the team to bring in this offseason. The Bucs need a plan B if Godwin goes down again. Tyler Johnson and Breshad Perriman failed to fill that role in a big way in 2021.

Pascal (6-2, 214) could be a cheap signing for the Bucs this offseason. He’d also be a standout special teams option and a high-character guy. Pascal isn’t a burner on the outside, but he’s a solid and improving receiver who will block his tail off. His numbers were better in 2019 and 2020, when the Colts threw the ball more often. In Tampa Bay on a short-term deal, Pascal could earn himself a bigger pay day down the road.

WR Draft Prospects For The Bucs

Treylon Burks, Arkansas • 6-3, 225

I’m a fan of Burks. He’s the pick for Tampa Bay in the new Pewter Report 2022 Bucs 7-Round Mock Draft 2.0.

Simply put, there aren’t many wideouts this big who can run like he does. Burks has legit breakaway speed, running past defensive backs with long speed after beating them with quickness at the line of scrimmage. Look at the size of this man moving at top wide receiver speed.

Burks was a problem down the field for defenders despite less-than-desirable quarterback play. Per PFF, Burks caught 12 deep ball passes last season, 25th in the country. Although he rarely played against press coverage, the junior shredded jams when he faced them. Yes, at times Burks commits subtle pushes to get open down the field. But what big wide receiver doesn’t? The NFL still hardly ever calls it. And he’s quiet about it too.

Burks is far from just a speed demon, however. He has massive hands and the ability to make plays on the ball outside his frame. The Arkansas star was outstanding at adjusting to the football and controlling his body in the air. This catch against Texas A&M broke my brain (Burks was barely out of bounds).

Do you know how hard it is to reach back over your head for the ball while running toward it? And while trying to look down to see where you are, attempting to get a foot down in bounds? This is just a crazy play.

There honestly isn’t a ton to dislike about Burks game. He could be a much better blocker in the NFL than he was in college. That’s okay, as many receivers don’t make that leap until they become a pro. Burks also needs development to run the full route tree. He might never be the best separator due to some lateral stiffness. But his ability to get open on a vertical plane and make tough catches underneath is a pretty strong combination.

I think Burks will be off the board by the time the Bucs pick at No. 27. But right now, it’s not unusual to see him lasting into Tampa Bay’s range. If his character and health check out, I can’t imagine that being the case in a class this weak.

Drake London, USC • 6-5, 210

There’s no chance London is there for the Bucs at No. 27, right? Right?

London has typically been mocked in the top 10 to 15 picks, but I think a slide might be coming. Yes, the USC product’s tape is impressive. Few big wideouts can stop and start like London, which allows him to gain separation despite not being a burner. London has quick feet and good high-point skills, which come from his basketball background.

But the comparisons to J.J. Arcega-Whiteside shouldn’t stop there. London is a high-cut athlete who moves with more stiffness than you’d like. There’s no question he’s crafty and figured out ways to pick up yards after the catch in college. But I’m definitely worried about his athleticism translating to the NFL. I’ve heard reports that his 40 time could be very underwhelming if he works out before the draft.

London is clearly a good college football player. The question will be how much of that will translate to the NFL? The 20-year old is also coming off a broken ankle suffered in October. In time I think London could become a very good route runner and an ideal big slot in the NFL. But I have serious questions about his ability to win outside consistently due to his lack of blazing speed.

I wouldn’t take him off the board for the Bucs completely just yet. But I think they’ll be coveting size and speed with their early-round receiver investments. Given how unlikely London is to check the second box, and his propensity for drops, I don’t think he’ll be high on their board.

Jameson Williams, Alabama • 6-2, 190

If not for a torn ACL, Williams would probably be a lock to come off the board very early. But because of the uncertainty with Williams’ injury, his stock might remain in limbo for awhile. A transfer from Ohio State, Williams erupted into the NFL Draft picture out of nowhere this season. Speed is his game, but it comes packaged in a nice 6-foot-2, 190-pound frame.

There’s no question Williams is lanky, but his frame isn’t frail. Sure, he won’t win many contested catches. But he does snag the ball outside his frame and has flashed strong hands. Williams is a great athlete, going parallel to the ground to snag a few balls this season. You can tell there is body control and ball tracking skills to have potential for tough catches as a vertical threat. And he’ll immediately be one of the fastest players in the NFL.

That said, Williams has plenty of improvements to make. He’s still relatively inexperienced, and press coverage against more technical cornerbacks could bother him. He has all the tools to work free early in routes, but timing and technique are still inconsistent.

If you’re drafting Williams, it’s because you believe he has a trump card to make an impact right away with his speed. And it’s because you believe he can become a more complete receiver in time. If Williams is healthy, he makes sense for the Bucs. He could be an ideal vertical threat on the outside to keep extra coverage off of Mike Evans. Williams doesn’t have slot flexibility yet, but I’m encouraging the Bucs to look at free agent options for that role, too.

Chris Olave, Ohio State • 6-1, 188

It’s hard not to like Olave’s game. He’s a smooth route runner with terrific ball tracking skills down the field. Few receivers in college football have made as many plays in the vertical passing game as Olave, who should have the speed to translate to the NFL. Despite not being a super physical receiver, Olave has shown he can go up and get the football in close quarters.

But the senior’s game never evolved. Olave hasn’t bulked up much, leading to concerns that bigger corners can body him up in the NFL. He’s also a non-factor after the catch, so he better be fast at the Combine. Olave has good athletic tools, but does he have great ones? I’m a believer in his traits translating to the next level.

Will the Bucs be interested? Probably. But perhaps not enough to draft Olave over more preferable options. Especially more preferable options at other positions. The Bucs typically prefer grimier receivers, and Olave is more of a finesse player. He’s great at making splash plays down the field, which they covet. But Tampa Bay might be looking for a bit more in the blocking and YAC department.