The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had an embarrassment of riches in their wide receivers room over a number of years now. Since Mike Evans and Chris Godwin have joined the team, the Bucs have had no worries as to who will be catching passes for them on gameday.
In 2023, the team was heavily relying on veteran Russell Gage to be an impact receiver going into training camp. With rookie Trey Palmer being another exciting name in the depths of the Tampa Bay receiving corps, Evans and Godwin were poised to lead another strong room.
Fast forward about two weeks into camp and the savvy receiver Gage would be sidelined for the season with a torn patella tendon. It was then obvious that the rookie Trey Palmer would have a solidified role within the offense as a receiver. Coming through with a decent first year in the NFL, you could see first-hand Palmer taking steps to becoming a good player in this league. But issues with consistently catching the football became true throughout Palmer’s rookie season and although he’s one of the fastest players on the field at all times, Tampa Bay felt they could improve in their production from the team’s third receiver.
Coming into the 2024 season, this front office added depth and competition to the room, bringing in youthful and veteran talents. Palmer was thought to be a lock to make the roster, of course. But with third-round pick Jalen McMillan joining the team, it was clear that his slot as Bucs’ third receiver was up for grabs.
McMillan comes in from the University of Washington and is used to being in the mix of a talented receiving room. Both of his teammates, Ja’Lynn Polk and Rome Odunze, were drafted ahead of him, which only tells you how talented that room really was. A knee injury slowed down his production in 2023, which some say is the only reason that he was available to be drafted in the third round, with McMillan’s talents looking ahead of a player picked where he was. His impressive catches, paired with ability to get open and willingness to learn from mentors Mike Evans and Chris Godwin have the Bucs thinking they’ve got themselves a steal in the third round.
Also brought into the mix prior to the beginning of training camp was veteran receiver Sterling Shepard, who spent his impressive career as a New York Giant. He is a former teammate of Baker Mayfield at the University of Oklahoma and was thought to be one of the players who would get snaps at receiver early in this season. Despite many of his NFL seasons riddled with injury, there was no denying that Shepard has been one of the most talented receivers in the league as of recent.
When the Bucs released their first depth chart going into the 2024 season, it was McMillan’s name marked at the third wide receiver position, with Palmer’s name following. It was a surprise, but WR Sterling Shepard was on the outside of the team’s initial roster. Instead the team’s fifth spot was taken by rookie Kameron Johnson from Barton College. A move that was motivated by impact in the special teams department, as Shepard hasn’t had much experience there.
So the team moved into week one with only five receivers, including Kameron Johnson in the fifth spot, and sent Sterling Shepard to the practice squad, who would be ready in case of any injuries.
In his NFL debut, Jalen McMillan shined, as he saw plenty of snaps and caught a 32-yard touchdown pass from Baker Mayfield. It was inspiring to see from such a young player in his first game. Palmer also saw time on the field, as the two players split snaps in game one.
It seemed as if McMillan’s role as third receiver was cemented in for this season as the rookie hit the ground running. His route running and catching ability was too impressive from a first-year player to deny, and after beating out other players in training camp, it only seemed like an upwards trajectory for the rookie.
The Friday before the team’s week four matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, McMillan went down in practice with a hamstring injury. Putting his playing status at jeopardy and opening up opportunities for other players. He was eventually ruled out and receiver Sterling Shepard, who was on the practice squad up to that point, was elevated to the active roster so he could suit up Sunday.
Early in the game, it seemed as if Trey Palmer was the team’s third receiver, catching an impressive 15-yard touchdown in the first quarter. But Palmer also serves as the team’s punt returner, and shortly after his TD, he took a tough blow to the head on a return and ended up with a concussion.
Enter Sterling Shepard, who from the jump, had a connection with Baker Mayfield. He ended up catching three passes on 51 yards and showed all of the NFL he’s still capable of playing at this level. An acrobatic down-the-field catch was the highlight of his day and brought an instant jolt of energy to the team.
After the game, the team had to monitor the injuries of both their banged up receivers, as Shepard was set to return to the practice squad.
Would they be okay? Could these injuries be long term? Does this team need to sign Shepard to the active roster?
With a Thursday Night game looming, there was no time for either McMillan’s hamstring or Palmer’s concussion to recover, and the Bucs’ front office had to make a move. Tampa Bay officially signed Shepard to the active roster prior to their game in Atlanta, waiving DL Ben Stille.
During the divisional matchup against the Falcons, Shepard was the recipient of a four-yard touchdown pass from Baker Mayfield, marking his first of the season. Their connection seems to still be intact, even in 2024. The Bucs’ QB has had nothing but good things to say about his fellow Sooner, showing his excitement when he gets to speak about Shepard.
So what could this mean for the future of this Tampa Bay receiving corps?
For this 2024 season, the Bucs once again have a solid receiving room, headlined by their stars. But we’ve all come to know that an efficient supporting cast is just as important as having the top players in their position. With the veteran presence of Shepard, he will mix in well with both Godwin and Evans, obviously as well as his quarterback Baker Mayfield.
But the youthful McMillan and Palmer should be expected to step back into their roles as receivers in this offense, but Shepard can be expected to take up some of the snaps the young guys were seeing in the first couple weeks. McMillan is a lock to come back and return to a good amount of snaps in this offense, but Palmer, who already contribute in the special teams department, may see less snaps for the likes of Sterling Shepard who clearly has a strong connection with Mayfield.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had an embarrassment of riches in their wide receivers room over a number of years now. Since Mike Evans and Chris Godwin have joined the team, the Bucs have had no worries as to who will be catching passes for them on gameday.
In 2023, the team was heavily relying on veteran Russell Gage to be an impact receiver going into training camp. With rookie Trey Palmer being another exciting name in the depths of the Tampa Bay receiving corps, Evans and Godwin were poised to lead another strong room.
Fast forward about two weeks into camp and the savvy receiver Gage would be sidelined for the season with a torn patella tendon. It was then obvious that the rookie Trey Palmer would have a solidified role within the offense as a receiver. Coming through with a decent first year in the NFL, you could see first-hand Palmer taking steps to becoming a good player in this league. But issues with consistently catching the football became true throughout Palmer’s rookie season and although he’s one of the fastest players on the field at all times, Tampa Bay felt they could improve in their production from the team’s third receiver.
Coming into the 2024 season, this front office added depth and competition to the room, bringing in youthful and veteran talents. Palmer was thought to be a lock to make the roster, of course. But with third-round pick Jalen McMillan joining the team, it was clear that his slot as Bucs’ third receiver was up for grabs.
McMillan comes in from the University of Washington and is used to being in the mix of a talented receiving room. Both of his teammates, Ja’Lynn Polk and Rome Odunze, were drafted ahead of him, which only tells you how talented that room really was. A knee injury slowed down his production in 2023, which some say is the only reason that he was available to be drafted in the third round, with McMillan’s talents looking ahead of a player picked where he was. His impressive catches, paired with ability to get open and willingness to learn from mentors Mike Evans and Chris Godwin have the Bucs thinking they’ve got themselves a steal in the third round.
Also brought into the mix prior to the beginning of training camp was veteran receiver Sterling Shepard, who spent his impressive career as a New York Giant. He is a former teammate of Baker Mayfield at the University of Oklahoma and was thought to be one of the players who would get snaps at receiver early in this season. Despite many of his NFL seasons riddled with injury, there was no denying that Shepard has been one of the most talented receivers in the league as of recent.
When the Bucs released their first depth chart going into the 2024 season, it was McMillan’s name marked at the third wide receiver position, with Palmer’s name following. It was a surprise, but WR Sterling Shepard was on the outside of the team’s initial roster. Instead the team’s fifth spot was taken by rookie Kameron Johnson from Barton College. A move that was motivated by impact in the special teams department, as Shepard hasn’t had much experience there.
So the team moved into week one with only five receivers, including Kameron Johnson in the fifth spot, and sent Sterling Shepard to the practice squad, who would be ready in case of any injuries.
In his NFL debut, Jalen McMillan shined, as he saw plenty of snaps and caught a 32-yard touchdown pass from Baker Mayfield. It was inspiring to see from such a young player in his first game. Palmer also saw time on the field, as the two players split snaps in game one.
It seemed as if McMillan’s role as third receiver was cemented in for this season as the rookie hit the ground running. His route running and catching ability was too impressive from a first-year player to deny, and after beating out other players in training camp, it only seemed like an upwards trajectory for the rookie.
The Friday before the team’s week four matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, McMillan went down in practice with a hamstring injury. Putting his playing status at jeopardy and opening up opportunities for other players. He was eventually ruled out and receiver Sterling Shepard, who was on the practice squad up to that point, was elevated to the active roster so he could suit up Sunday.
Early in the game, it seemed as if Trey Palmer was the team’s third receiver, catching an impressive 15-yard touchdown in the first quarter. But Palmer also serves as the team’s punt returner, and shortly after his TD, he took a tough blow to the head on a return and ended up with a concussion.
Enter Sterling Shepard, who from the jump, had a connection with Baker Mayfield. He ended up catching three passes on 51 yards and showed all of the NFL he’s still capable of playing at this level. An acrobatic down-the-field catch was the highlight of his day and brought an instant jolt of energy to the team.
After the game, the team had to monitor the injuries of both their banged up receivers, as Shepard was set to return to the practice squad.
Would they be okay? Could these injuries be long term? Does this team need to sign Shepard to the active roster?
With a Thursday Night game looming, there was no time for either McMillan’s hamstring or Palmer’s concussion to recover, and the Bucs’ front office had to make a move. Tampa Bay officially signed Shepard to the active roster prior to their game in Atlanta, waiving DL Ben Stille.
During the divisional matchup against the Falcons, Shepard was the recipient of a four-yard touchdown pass from Baker Mayfield, marking his first of the season. Their connection seems to still be intact, even in 2024. The Bucs’ QB has had nothing but good things to say about his fellow Sooner, showing his excitement when he gets to speak about Shepard.
So what could this mean for the future of this Tampa Bay receiving corps?
For this 2024 season, the Bucs once again have a solid receiving room, headlined by their stars. But we’ve all come to know that an efficient supporting cast is just as important as having the top players in their position. With the veteran presence of Shepard, he will mix in well with both Godwin and Evans, obviously as well as his quarterback Baker Mayfield.
But the youthful McMillan and Palmer should be expected to step back into their roles as receivers in this offense, but Shepard can be expected to take up some of the snaps the young guys were seeing in the first couple weeks. McMillan is a lock to come back and return to a good amount of snaps in this offense, but Palmer, who already contribute in the special teams department, may see less snaps for the likes of Sterling Shepard who clearly has a strong connection with Mayfield.
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