Oct 21, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) is carted off the field against the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Monday Night Football was worse for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers than what showed up in the box score.
The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Buccaneers 41-31, and quarterback Lamar Jackson was incredible. But Tampa Bay lost both of their tremendous wide receivers during the game. After attempting to catch a touchdown pass from quarterback Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans reaggravated his hamstring injury and didn’t return to the game.
Later, Chris Godwin dislocated his ankle. The injury was so gruesome that ESPN’s broadcast would not replay it as Godwin, who is set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2025, was carted off of the field.
Despite the loss to the Ravens, the Buccaneers are still alive at 4-3 in a weak NFC South. Godwin is expected to be out for the remainder of the season, while Evans could also miss some time for that hamstring to heal.
Jalen McMillan, Trey Palmer and Sterling Shepard are the only remaining healthy receivers on Tampa Bay’s active roster. Here are a few wide receivers they should consider as injury replacements for Godwin and Evans.
Trade for Los Angeles Rams Wide Receiver Cooper Kupp
Sep 15, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) prior to a game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images The Buccaneers believe they can contend in the NFC. Hell, that’s the reason why they gave Mayfield a three-year, $100 million contract this offseason.
It’s not up for debate that Cooper Kupp is the biggest name on the receiver market, as the Rams are 2-4. He’s 31 years old and constantly deals with nagging injuries, which might not be ideal for Tampa Bay, but when healthy, he’s still one of the best receivers in the game.
Sign Free Agent Wide Receiver Hunter Renfrow
Let’s knock out the other older, white receiver. This one wouldn’t require a trade.
Renfrow is only 28 years old and is still without an NFL team. He had five successful seasons with the Raiders before being released, and then mysteriously never signed with another NFL club. He’s the best wide receiver available in free agency, and the Buccaneers could make sense for him.
Trade for Cleveland Browns Wide Receiver Elijah Moore
The Browns are a dumpster fire and just traded Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills for a third-round pick. Cleveland acquired a gently used Elijah Moore from the New York Jets before they went ahead and traded for Aaron Rodgers.
But similar to Moore’s time in the Big Apple, he has not lived up to the hype in Cleveland.
With Dorian Thompson-Robinson or Jameis Winston set to start the remainder of the games for the Browns, you’d have to imagine they’d entertain moving Moore, who will soon be a free agent, for a mid-round draft pick. This could be a big move for Tampa Bay’s short-term and long-term goals, as he’s just 24 years old and still hasn’t found the right situation.
Poach Donovan Peoples-Jones From Detroit Lions Practice Squad
There’s no denying that Mayfield and Peoples-Jones made some sweet highlights together in Cleveland. Ever since Mayfield’s departure from the Browns, DPJ has not done much of anything in the NFL.
He’s been firmly planted on the Lions practice for the last few years. Perhaps the Michigan native just needs to reunite with Mayfield in Tampa Bay to respark his once promising career.