For most of the 2021 season, the Bucs have been without wide receivers Antonio Brown and Scotty Miller. The result has been dismal play at the No. 3 wide receiver spot, as Tyler Johnson, Jaelon Darden and now Breshad Perriman have failed to produce. Many believed the return of Miller in Week 12 against the Colts would finally give the team a strong third option. Instead, Miller has played just eight offensive snaps in two games, while Perriman’s role has increased significantly.

Over the past two weeks, Miller has messed up a route resulting in an interception, drawn a game-changing 45-yard pass interference penalty and thrown a key block to spring Rob Gronkowski on a third down conversion. But, in those eight snaps since returning from injury, Miller hasn’t caught a pass. Meanwhile, Perriman has three games under his belt since being claimed off waivers a month ago. He’s caught three passes on seven targets for 24 yards while dropping two passes. One of his drops would have been a touchdown before the half against the Giants.

And yet, it was Perriman getting 59 snaps on Sunday against the Falcons, while Miller played just four. Since both are primarily outside receivers who operate as vertical threats, it would seem Perriman is playing over Miller. However, according to Bucs head coach Bruce Arians, that isn’t the case.

“BP and Scotty really don’t play the same position,” Arians said on Bucs Total Access this week. “More Tyler [Johnson] (plays the same position as BP). And we mixed Tyler in there some. BP just brings an element of explosiveness to our offense. Like Scotty [does], but with the size of Tyler.”

Bucs WR Breshad Perriman – Photo by: USA Today

Since neither Perriman or Miller play many snaps in the slot, Arians is likely referring to the X and Z receiver positions here. Miller is technically seen as the backup to Mike Evans at the ‘X’ receiver spot, while Perriman can play either ‘X’ or ‘Z’. In Arians mind, Miller doesn’t offer the same positional versatility Perriman brings.

“No, it’s just opportunities,” Arians said on Wednesday when asked about Miller’s limited snaps. “Mike [Evans] doesn’t come off very often. So if Mike doesn’t come off, Scotty doesn’t go in. It’s opportunities. And when [Miller] does go in, it’s kind of like (the defense is saying), ‘Hey, let’s back up. Let’s back up.’ It’s just opportunities right now.”

In my opinion, this is an oversimplification of the decision. Miller has played plenty of snaps with Mike Evans on the field, and produced just fine. In fact, the most productive stretch of Miller’s career was playing alongside Evans last season. That was before Antonio Brown was on the roster and while Chris Godwin was struggling with injuries. Over the first eight games of last season, Miller had 25 catches for 400 yards and two touchdowns. Godwin missed half of those games too, so Evans and Miller were on the field together often. That argument doesn’t hold water.

The reality is this: Arians covets size and versatility amongst his receivers. Miller is 5-9, 175 pounds and doesn’t fill every receiver role on the roster. Those things are never going to change, so Arians will keep pushing guys like Perriman and Johnson to receive volume snaps over the small speedster.

The Bucs view Miller as a one-trick pony who makes them predictable when he’s on the field. And maybe they’re right, although Miller’s ridiculous production-per-snap is proof it hasn’t mattered. But the burden of proof should be on the other wide receiver options to prove they are more impactful. Miller is the one who has the proven recent track record of success, especially with Tom Brady. All Perriman has done recently is disappoint as a Jet, get cut from the Lions in camp and fail to get active for the Bears. Heading into Week 14, he has yet to make an impact as a Buc.

We aren’t talking about Miller losing snap counts to Antonio Brown here. Everyone understands that situation. But it’s harder to understand how Perriman is an upgrade over Miller, when all he’s been for most of his career is a disappointment.