On Sunday against the Falcons, one Bucs personnel change confounded viewers. Recently-signed wide receiver Breshad Perriman dominated the No. 3 wide receiver role with 59 snaps. In comparison, Tyler Johnson played just nine reps, while Scotty Miller received only four snaps in Atlanta. In the weeks leading up to Week 13, Johnson had led the trio in snap counts by an overwhelming margin, while Perriman was an afterthought.
Perriman was initially brought in by the Bucs as an insurance policy. When Antonio Brown’s ankle sprain didn’t heal in a timely fashion, Perriman was claimed off waivers from the Bears. This was the former first rounder’s second stint in Tampa Bay, playing for head coach Bruce Arians back in 2019. So after just one month, why is Perriman being entrusted with the WR3 role over Johnson or Miller?
“BP [Breshad Perriman] has had a couple good weeks of practice,” Arians said on Monday. “He brings an explosiveness out there. It was a game where I felt like – Tyler [Johnson] has been playing [well], Scotty [Miller] has been playing [well], but I wanted to get [Perriman] on the field more. He does block well, and he does everything. It was more just getting him the reps.”
While we have not seen much of “everything” from Perriman in his time back with the Buccaneers, his previous stats show he has more potential. In Arians’ first season coaching Tampa Bay, Perriman was dynamic. The UCF product had 15 catches of 20+ yards, showing serious splash play potential. Perriman accumulated 645 yards and six touchdowns in limited action that season. While many fans want to see reps given to the “future” of a franchise, the Buccaneers clearly prefer to rely on more seasoned players.
Have A Little Patience With Perriman, Bucs Fans
As the Bucs head into an important Week 14 matchup, do not be surprised to see Perriman continue in the No. 3 wide receiver spot. The Bills possess great defensive speed, which the Bucs will want to challenge with their own skill players.
Bucs WR Breshad Perriman – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
“It’s going to be a hell of a challenge,” Arians said. “Offensively, same thing. They’ve got a hell of a pass rush and a ton of speed. I think Leslie Frazier is one of the best coaches in the league, as is Sean McDermott. So yeah, we’re going to have our hands full. We’re going to need a lot of fan support.”
Believe it or not, Perriman could be an acceptable fit against this challenge. The 7-year pro is the fastest wide receiver on the Bucs roster, according to his 4.26 pro day 40-yard dash. Aside from his speed, Perriman’s blocking ability can be useful against the Bills defense. Maybe the 28-year old just needs extra time to get re-acclimated in the Buccaneers system. That could explain his slow start this season. Through three games, Perriman has just three receptions for 24 yards and two drops. But, with a little more seasoning, this could be the week that Perriman puts up significant numbers in the box score.
