Wide Receivers:Mike Evans is one of the game’s upper echelon players, at receiver. He followed up his strong rookie campaign with another superlative effort in 2015, finishing with 74 catches for 1,206 yards (16.3 yards per catch) and 3 touchdowns. Despite missing two games in his first two seasons, Evans has accrued 142 catches, 2,256 yards, and 15 touchdowns – setting a franchise record for most receiving yards by a player in the first two years of his career. He is the only receiver to produce back-to-back 1,000 yard receiving seasons in his rookie and second year, with the Bucs. Evans was drafted in the 1st round (7th Overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Bucs. While Evans lacks classic long speed. He has great size; his long arms, big hands, and tremendous jumping ability, which gives him a remarkable catch radius. Evans is not an explosive or sudden athlete. He wins with size, strength, crisp route running, and agility. He is able to play multiple positions, including the slot. Evans, is very quick out of his breaks, adjusts exceptionally well to the football, and regularly makes the circus catch. Evans displayed a tendency for concentration lapses momentarily, which called his hands in to question, in 2015 with 11 dropped passes. Statistically speaking he improved in every category with the exception of dropped passes and touchdowns. He is very dangerous with the football in his hands after the catch. He’s competitive, smart, and hard working. He’s a passionate player and aggressive downfield blocker in the run game. Evans’ biggest negative can be his on-field temperament, as he is easily angered and frustrated by defensive backs and routinely looks for pass interference calls from the referrers.Vincent Jackson played through multiple knee injuries in 2015, missing six games. Having his worst statistical output, since 2010, when he was placed on injured reserve by his former team the San Diego Chargers. Jackson entered the NFL in 2005, as a 2nd round pick (61st Overall) by the Chargers out of Northern Colorado. He signed with the Bucs on March 13, 2012 as an unrestricted free agent. Since becoming a Buccaneer, Jackson has amassed 253 receptions for 4,153 yards and 20 touchdowns. Jackson holds the franchise record for longest reception. He set the record against the New Orleans Saints, on October 21, 2012 in front of a home crowd of 58,906 fans. Jackson ranks fourth All-Time in franchise receiving yards – needing 866 yards to move in to first place. His 20 receiving touchdowns rank fifth in franchise history and his 253 receptions rank ninth in franchise history. Jackson, 33, is in the final year of his contract with the Bucs. A three time Pro Bowl selection (Once with Bucs in 2012) Jackson has great size, reads coverages well, runs good routes, and has a good understanding of how to get open against both zone and man coverage. Jackson is a hard worker. He can play both outside and in the slot. Jackson is a consummate pro and true Community Ambassador. Luis Murphy signed primarily as a number three receiver, on March 26, 2014. He was released a day prior to the 2014 season opener. The team resigned him on September 23, 2014 and Murphy played that week against the Steelers. He hauled in a crucial 41-yard reception on the Bucs final drive, which set up a come from behind touchdown and one of the teams two wins. Murphy signed a three-year contract extension to remain with the Bucs on December 26, 2014. A native Floridian, from St. Petersburg, Murphy has started 4 of 17 games over the past two seasons for the Bucs. Murphy tore his ACL, against the Washington Redskins, in the seventh game of the 2015 season. Murphy was drafted by the Oakland Raiders, in the fourth round (124th Overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played collegiately at the University of Florida. In his seven NFL seasons, Murphy has played for the Raiders, New York Giants, Carolina Panthers and Buccaneers, amassing 162 receptions for 2,322 yards and 10 touchdowns. Murphy is known more for his speed and quickness, than polished route running. Murphy can play all three receiver positions and adds a secondary dimension to the offense. He will have an uphill battle due to his recovery from the torn ACL that sidelined him for much of the 2015 season and his age.Desperate for playmakers to stretch opposing defenses; the Bucs drafted Kenny “Afro Thunder” Bell, in the fifth round (162nd Overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft. Bell played collegiately for Nebraska. Bell started 49 of 53 games for the Corn Huskers. Bell ended his college career with 181 receptions for 2,689 yards and 21 touchdowns. Bell saw action in the Bucs first two pre-season games of 2014, with no receptions on the stat sheet and an ailing hamstring the Bucs placed Bell on injured reserve, effectively ending his rookie season. To stay involved while rehabbing, Bell assisted the coaching staff by scouting upcoming opponents and studying film of opposing corner backs. Bell’s a ferocious down field blocker and a speedy stretch the field type player who can take the top off of defenses. After essentially redshirting, Bell must show consistency across the board and improved mental understanding of the game while demonstrating improved concentration and an ability to catch the football. The Bucs signed Adam Humphries, after the teams’ rookie minicamp, in which Humphries was a try out player. Humphries played collegiately at the University of Clemson. Humphries started 27 of 53 games from 2011-2014, totaling 127 receptions for 1,097 yards and three touchdowns. Humphries ended his rookie season with 27 receptions for 260 yards and one touchdown. He showcased remarkable quickness and an ability to find holes in zones running cross patterns and underneath routes. Signed as a rookie undrafted free agent, Donteea Dye started 5 of 10 games as a rookie, compiling 11 receptions for 132 yards and one touchdown. Dye played for Heidelberg, a Division III school, where he finished his career with 116 receptions for 2,298 yards and 26 touchdowns. Dye was the recipient of the Ed Sherman Award, given annually to the top receiver in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Dye is an average-sized receiver with decent overall athleticism and speed. He demonstrated inconsistent hands in 2015 with the Bucs. Russell Shepard entered the NFL as a college free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was claimed off waivers by the Buccaneers on September 1, 2013.Played collegiately at LSU where he split time at quarterback, running back and receiver. In 2014 Shepard played in all 16 games, caught four passes for 67 yards, while mainly playing on special teams where he lead the team with 14 special teams tackles. He is known more for his special team prowess then his ability as a receiver. Shepard is serviceable 5th or 6th receiver. He was a restricted free agent, the team tendered him an offer and Shepard will become an unrestricted free agent following the 2016 season. He has started 2 of 43 games since becoming a Buccaneer. He has amassed seven receptions for 91 yards and one touchdown. Shepard is an average height weight-built receiver who lacks ideal speed and quickness. He adjusts well to the football, has a good catch radius, and has excellent hands. The Bucs signed Evan Spencer to the Practice Squad in September 2015. He was originally drafted by the Washington Redskins in the 6th rounder (187th Overall) of the 2015 draft. He played collegiately for Ohio State. The son, of Bucs current running backs coach Tim Spencer, the younger Spencer accrued 52 receptions for 579 yards and seven touchdowns for the Buckeyes. The Bucs promoted Spencer to the active roster on December 22 2015. He saw action in the team’s final two games of the season. He completed his rookie season with zero receptions. Spencer has ideal size and timed speed, he is a quick receiver who plays faster than he times. Spencer is well versed in route running and has solid hands. The Bucs signed Bernard Reedy to the 90-man off-season roster on a futures contract in February 2016. Reedy entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie free agent with the Atlanta Falcons following the 2014 NFL Draft. Current Bucs Head Coach Dirk Koetter, was the Falcons offensive coordinator during Reedy’s first training camp. Reedy a native Floridian, from St. Petersburg, played for the Toledo Rockets during his college career where he amassed 195 receptions for 2,743 yards and 23 touchdowns. Reedy lacks ideal size, but he is fast and can get deep. He is not a physical player and is best suited as a slot receiver.The Bucs signed Dez Stewart as an undrafted rookie free agent following the 2016 NFL draft. Stewart is a small school product from Ohio Dominican where he finished his college career with 196 receptions for 3,197 yards and 25 touchdowns. Stewart’s relative Bo Smith played in the NFL for the New York Jets. Stewart has solid size and speed for the position. Can take the top of a defense and adds value due to his ability to play special teams play and return kicks.
