The Bucs roster still has an elite unit on the offense. Despite both players continuing to get up there in age, Pro Football Focus ranks both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin among the best 32 wide receivers in the NFL ahead of the 2024 season.

These lists are not just an accounting of past performance but add in some projection of what the future might hold for each player. That means older players like Evans and Godwin receive some demerits for expected age regression while younger players like Puka Nacua of the Rams will receive bumps for projected improvements.

Overall, the Bucs’ receiving duo ranked 20th (Evans) and 31st (Godwin).

Mike Evans Is Still Rolling

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: USA Today

Fresh off signing his third contract with the Bucs that will likely ensure the future Hall of Fame inductee finishes his career in Tampa Bay, Mike Evans slots in 20th on the list. Sam Monson of PFF writes about the Bucs’ ageless wonder: “Still one of the league’s most effective receivers, Mike Evans continued his streak of 1,000-yard seasons with Baker Mayfield under center and will look to do so again in 2024. Evans had 13 touchdown receptions last season and an 81.5 PFF grade.”

Interestingly enough, Monson ranks Evans 20th despite him ranking as the 10th most productive outside receiver in the NFL last season. Evans earned 2.64 yards per route run as the site noted: “Mike Evans was everywhere for the Buccaneers in 2023, seeing 30-plus targets at each level of the field at an adjusted target rate of 30.3%. Evans averaged 15.2 depth yards per target and recorded 33 gains of 15-plus yards. He amassed 46 first downs, caught 11 touchdowns and secured 14 of 26 contested targets.”

Nevertheless, Evans fell nine spots from last year’s list.

Chris Godwin Moves Down

Bucs WR Chris Godwin – Photo by: USA Today

Much like Mike Evans, Chris Godwin falls down the list as well, moving from 21st in 2023 to 31st this year. PFF’s writeup on him says: “Injuries have hampered Chris Godwin, but he is an extremely capable and versatile receiver. Last season, just 37% of his snaps came from the slot, having lined up inside on 73% of his snaps the season before. Whether he lines up inside or out, Godwin makes plays and moves the chains, with 53 first-down catches in each year.”

The 2024 season will be a telling year for Godwin as he enters a big contract year. Was his performance last year affected more by the injuries noted, or by the move to the perimeter, where he saw nearly two thirds of his snaps? As he is moving back to the slot this year where he has thrived in the past, we may be able to put that question to the test.

This May Be Last Year For Bucs With Two Receivers On List

Tampa Bay was one of six teams to have two receivers make the list, showing the NFL is a league of ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ with regards to the position. The Dolphins (Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle), Bengals (Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins), 49ers (Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel), Rams (Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua), and Texans (Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins) joined the Bucs with the prestigious honor.

But one team stood out from the rest with three receivers making the list. The Bears had D.J Moore rank 12th, Keenan Allen check in at 22nd, and rookie Rome Odunze cracked the list at 29th.

With Chris Godwin’s 2025 team up in the air and questions lingering about lost athleticism due to his physical style of play, and Mike Evans continuing to put his 30th birthday further behind him, it is fair to assume this may be the last time the team has two receivers on this list for the foreseeable future.

Unless Jalen McMillan or Trey Palmer explode this year, Tampa Bay’s lock as one of the top receiver duos in the league may be setting off into the sunset.