Godwin has long TD called back vs. MIN

The Bucs main slot receiver saw some early involvement but was invisible for most of the second half as the Bucs pushed the ball downfield. Godwin, who now has 86 yards on seven grabs through two games, is a WR4 option in a struggling Tampa offense. Until Baker Mayfield improves, Godwin should stay on benches in most fantasy formats, especially against the formidable Minnesota defense in Week 3.

With sacks and turnovers short-circuiting the Bucs’ offense, Godwin and company were limited to 52 total plays. Godwin was out-targeted 6-4 by Emeka Egbuka, but was on the field for 49-of-57 snaps in Jalen McMillan’s absence. Not that we would expect McMillan to cut into Godwin’s playing time upon his return. One of Godwin’s grabs produced a vicious stiff arm. He’s looking like a legitimate WR3 heading into Week 2 against the Browns.

It’s McMillan, not rookie WR Ted Hurst III, who’s listed as a starter alongside Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka ahead of Tampa’s Week 1 game against the Bengals. Hurst, the tallest of the Bucs wideouts, has by all accounts impressed Bucs players and coaches throughout the offseason and should have some kind of role in the team’s passing attack to start the year. It could be a while before Hurst takes on a more prominent role, however. Bucs general manager Jason Licht said last week that Hurst, 22, has “proven to us throughout camp, even OTAs, practice every day that he’s been very, very steady...it’s kind of evolved into okay, we can use him this year and he’s going to play a role.” Hurst can be stashed in deeper fantasy formats for now. McMillan is unlikely to be a factor in the Tampa offense after once again struggling with injuries this offseason.

Fox Sports’ Greg Auman reported the three lead Buccaneers receivers got the day off Tuesday. For Godwin, it is a veteran maintenance day as he aims to open the season fully healthy; expect him to see more maintenance days heading into preseason. Egbuka and McMillan are dealing with lower-body soreness and were held out of practice out of precaution. Ultimately, no major injury concerns as the Bucs play it safe with their top three wideouts in training camp.

With former Buccaneers WR Mike Evans now a 49er, Godwin is the veteran in Tampa Bay’s wide receiver corps. Godwin was leading the NFL with 50 receptions when he fractured his fibula and dislocated his ankle in 2024. It was a significant, season-ending injury that required an intense offseason rehab program, and his lower leg remained an issue for much of 2025. This year, however, Godwin’s offseason has been spent training, not recovering. A solid bounce-back season is within his range of potential outcomes, especially with the targets Evans vacated up for grabs. Godwin is currently the WR40 by PPR ADP. While he may lack the high-end upside he once possessed, that ADP sure looks like decent value.

Robinson joined Atlanta two years ago when the team hired Raheem Morris as their head coach. He had previously worked under Sean McVay for five years, working his way up to pass game coordinator for the final two. Robinson started off strong, getting Atlanta to 13th in points scored despite Kirk Cousins struggling in his first year as a Falcon. The switch to Michael Penix in 2025 didn’t go as planned and the team cratered to 24th in scoring. The hope for Baker Mayfield and company will be that Robinson was simply dealt a bad hand in Atlanta. The hiring bodes particularly well for Bucky Irving. Atlanta ranked top-10 in rushing yards in both of Robinson’s seasons with the team.

Godwin was not a factor again in Week 18, and unfortunately for fantasy managers who took a “chance” on the 29-year-old, that’s becoming a recurring theme. Injuries played a major factor, but this is the fourth time in five games that he was held under 60 yards. That’s a far cry from what was once one of the most effective PPR receivers in the sport. Godwin and the Bucs finish the year 8-9, and they’ll need a Saints’ win over the Falcons to play in the postseason.

Godwin is caught up in the sickness sweeping the league, with the team adding him to the injury report Saturday. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the veteran receiver is expected to play as the Buccaneers fight to keep their season alive against the Panthers later today, giving quarterback Baker Mayfield his full compliment of pass-catching weapons in the must-win game. We’ll get final word when the team releases inactives 90 minutes prior to first kick.

Godwin tallied his best fantasy game of the season. He scored the Bucs’ first touchdown of the day on a five-yard pass from Baker Mayfield in the first quarter. Mayfield found him as a consistent target throughout the day and hit big on a 59-yard catch-and-run on the Bucs’ final drive in the fourth quarter. Godwin spent most of this season recovering from an injured fibula but is now at full speed and has WR3 utility for those still playing fantasy games in Week 18.

Godwin has the short-area slot role for the Bucs, seeing targets at the sticks and in the flats. He averaged under seven yards per reception for the second straight game, running fewer deep routes with Mike Evans back in the lineup. Godwin saw one target in the red zone and was tackled inside the 10-yard line, but otherwise made no noise during Tampa’s scoring opportunities. With the Bucs offense dealing with inefficiency, Godwin’s ceiling is capped amidst a fully healthy pass-catching group. He has WR3 upside for Week 17 against the Dolphins.