After battling multiple injuries in 2023, Buccaneers receiver Chris Godwin is back. He leads the NFL in receptions, yards after the catch and is tied for first in touchdowns while the Buccaneers have put together one of the best offenses in the league through six weeks. With Godwin healthy, he shows why he's one of my favorite receivers in the league as well as one of the best No. 2 receivers a McVay-style offense has seen in a while. .
With WR Mike Evans on the team, Godwin will work behind him and add depth to the Buccaneers' offense. Now, with these layers, Godwin faces the difficult task of creating after the catch. Among the top 10 receivers in targets per SIS, Godwin has the second-lowest average target depth behind New York's Wan'Dale Robinson. But a healthy Godwin makes a huge difference as he takes those short targets and turns them into first downs and explosive plays. Despite having the second-lowest aDOT, Godwin has the highest first down percentage among the NFL's top 10 target leaders and is well ahead of the pack in positive play percentage.
Godwin is listed at 6-foot-1 and 209 pounds, but he plays much bigger and stronger than that. This is what allows him to feel better after the catch and get the Bucs offense back on track. QB Baker Mayfield was in great shape against the Saints. He missed targets in the middle of the field and threw three interceptions in the second quarter. Tampa Bay decided to create a quick throw and run game with players like Godwin keeping this offense on track, rather than Mayfield loosening himself up by continuing to throw downfield. Chris Godwin battled through injuries last year, but this year Godwin has achieved this with an under route. He starts with a jet motion, but nothing is open downfield. Mayfield checked down to Godwin, who turned the short pass into a big gain by simply sending cornerback Paulson Adebo to the ground.
He does the same thing with his big touchdown, basically pinballing the entire Saints defense on his way to the end zone. With Godwin able to do this and Evans still being one of the best vertical threats in the league, this offense has plenty of ways to beat you. It's the exact same play, but watching Godwin bounce off the defense is a pretty cool way to start the day.
In the red zone, Godwin lags behind fade route champion Mike Evans, but his strength shines in this area, creating contact and separation on in-break routes. The other TD of the day was scored diagonally in the red zone, and it was also a dynamic play. Godwin sets the corner to the outside and Mayfield fires a dart to break back before it's 6-6.
More than anything, what makes Godwin one of my favorite receivers is the fact that he blocks his butt off. Great blocking receivers hold a special place in my football lore, and Godwin is one of the best blocking receivers in the league. Tampa's duo run moves Godwin closer to the line of scrimmage, digging out safeties and nickel corners that are too noisy in the run game. Bucky Irving almost scored on this run as RT Luke Godeke and Godwin created this wide open gap. This is how you get on the field as a receiver and stay there. No blocks, no locks, baby!
Tampa has another big matchup coming up against the Baltimore Ravens, and with Godwin healthy and fired up, Tampa Bay could make this game really interesting.
