Regardless of what Hard Knocks is telling us, if there has been an offensive MVP from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' training camp, rookie wide receiver Chris Godwin has probably been that guy. From Day 1, beat reporters have been singing the praises of the 2017 third-round pick, applauding him for his professionalism and his ability to make contested catches look easy.
When it comes to Mike Evans and Godwin, 50-50 balls tend to be more like 70-30 propositions in favor of the receivers. Both possess the natural ball skills and leaping ability to high point the ball over defensive backs, and that ability has certainly turned heads towards the Tampa Bay rookie.
As a prospect, however, Godwin is more than just a leaper. At 6'1" and 209 pounds, Godwin is well built for the position, and his 4.42 speed is just the icing on the cake, allowing him to push the ball downfield.
The difficulty in Tampa, however, is finding the targets to allow the young receiver to actually improve his fantasy stock. With Evans dominating targets and the newly-acquired DeSean Jackson stretching the field, it's a crowded depth chart. Not to mention tight ends Cameron Brate and first-round pick O.J. Howard. Even if you think Jameis Winston will continue to build on his consecutive 4,000-yard seasons to start his career, it's difficult to find enough targets to make Godwin fantasy relevant.
To make matters worse, Godwin is rarely being asked to play in the slot receiver role, which is manned by the underrated Adam Humphries, so it may take time for him to work his way onto the field. This ambiguity has caused his fantasy stock to remain depressed, but for those willing to wait, this could be a player who rewards you for your patience. We received a glimpse of his potential during the Buccaneers' third preseason contest, in which, in the absence of Evans and Jackson, Godwin received the start and led the team with 4 receptions for 57 yards on just 42 snaps.
It might take injuries or perhaps ineffective play from Jackson to allow Godwin on the field early in his career, but expect him to flash with the opportunities he does receive. And once he starts jumping over and running past defensive backs on Sundays, his price tag is going to shoot up.
Keep an Eye on
Peyton Barber, running back -- The second-year back offers a size and physicality that no other backs in Tampa behind Doug Martin possess, and he could get a chance to make his case for increased playing time while Martin serves his three-game suspension. A one-year starter at Auburn, he flashed ability in Week 7 of the 2016 NFL season, rushing for 84 yards on 12 touches and scoring on a 44-yard touchdown run against the 49ers. It's a crowded backfield, but Barber is worth keeping an eye on.