The Bucs’ 53-man roster won’t officially be out until 4:00 p.m. ET, but Pewter Report has learned that the team is keeping seven wide receivers. The idea that the Bucs would wind up keeping seven receivers on this year’s 53-man roster was not a stretch. Tampa Bay was super deep at the position with the free agent additions of Russell Gage and Julio Jones. That’s in addition to the team signing some quality undrafted free agents.

But it was which seven Bucs receivers who wound up making the team that was a bit surprising. Tampa Bay’s top four receivers are the envy of the league. The team has three Pro Bowlers in Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Jones, in addition to a rising star in Gage. That quartet put a lot of pressure on the team’s other receivers to battle for the other two or three roster spots in training camp.

On Tuesday, the Bucs pared down their roster at wide receiver. The team parted ways with Tyler Johnson, a former fifth-round pick, in addition to a trio of young, promising undrafted free agents in Jerreth Sterns, Deven Thompkins and Kaylon Geiger Sr. Johnson will likely be claimed off waivers elsewhere or sign with another team eventually. Thompkins and/or Geiger could wind up on the practice squad.

Keeping seven receivers – at least initially – is important. Godwin could be on a pitch count due to his ACL recovery if he’s able to play in Week 1 at Dallas. And Jones has battled hamstring injuries for the last two years. Keeping an extra receiver at the start of the season seems like a wise move for the Bucs.

Bucs Keep Miller In A Surprise Move

Bucs WR Scotty Miller – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

That means holdover veterans Scotty Miller and Breshad Perriman will make the initial 53-man roster, in addition to second-year receiver Jaelon Darden. It is expected that Darden will handle punt return duties, and possibly kick return duties if rookie running back Rachaad White doesn’t assume that role.

Miller had a good training camp, but a shaky preseason with two big drops against Tennessee and Indianapolis in back-to-back games. After injuring his toe last year in Week 3, Miller was placed on injured reserve. When he returned, he did not make much of an impact. He caught just five passes for 38 yards (7.6 avg.) and his lone touchdown came on a 33-yard end around against Carolina.

But Miller, who is entering his fourth season in the league, does bring speed to the table. And he’s bulked up and added some extra muscle without sacrificing any speed.

“It’s helped me a lot,” Miller said. “I’ve always been undersized, so this year, I really focused on gaining a couple pounds to show the coaches I can do a lot of different things in the offense. It’s been nice so far, I just feel more explosive and really fast. The fastest I’ve ever been. Just trying to show them I can do a lot of different things on the field.”

He and quarterback Tom Brady have connected on several big plays, especially during the team’s Super Bowl run in 2020. None were bigger than his 39-yard touchdown catch with just seconds before halftime to give the Bucs a 21-10 lead at Green Bay in the NFC Championship Game. Miller had a career-best 33 catches for 501 yards and three TDs in 2020.

Miller did fill in as a gunner on special teams last year, forcing key fumbles at Indianapolis and against Philadelphia in the playoffs. Perhaps he can resume that role this season, or find another way to help out on special teams.

Perriman, Darden Help Bucs Special Teams

Perriman missed a good deal of training camp this year due to a hamstring injury. But he’s a factor on special teams on coverage units and the Bucs love his blend of size and speed.

Bucs WR Breshad Perriman – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

At 6-foot-1, 210 pounds and still capable of running in the high 4.3s, Perriman had Johnson’s size, but more speed and playmaking ability. And unlike Johnson, Perriman could play a role on special teams. That is a necessary role for backup receivers. Perriman had 11 catches for 167 yards last year, including a 58-yard touchdown in overtime to beat Buffalo.

At the end of the season, Perriman helped replace the injured Chris Godwin in the lineup. He had two catches for 41 yards in Week 17 at the New York Jets and had five catches for 44 yards in the season finale against Carolina. Perriman injured his hamstring in the win against the Panthers and missed the postseason.

Darden is coming off an impressive training camp and preseason. He was one of the team’s most improved players. Darden caught a touchdown from Blaine Gabbert against Miami in the preseason opener and will likely factor on special teams in the return game once again.