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Which Wide Receivers Could the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Target Before the Trade Deadline?
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Which Wide Receivers Could the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Target Before the Trade Deadline?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers looked like serious league contenders heading into their Monday Night Football matchup with the Baltimore Ravens, but everything came to a halt after the game as the mood in the organization became depressing. levels after both star receivers left the game with injuries.

After his 100th goal, he became one of only 11 players in NFL history to achieve this goal. Mike Evans He left the game shortly after with a hamstring injury that would leave the team with a bye week in Week 11. The Buccaneers’ other starting out, Chris GodwinHe was healthy throughout the game, but with less than a minute remaining and the game likely spiraling out of control, he went down with a dislocated ankle that will sideline him for the remainder of the 2024 season.

There’s been a lot of talk about what should or shouldn’t happen at both wide receivers, but the Bucs are currently down two stars at the position where they’re reeling and will likely need some sort of help alongside Jalen McMillan, Trey Palmer and Sterling Shepard.

READ MORE: Falcons HC Comments On Injuries To Bucs Mike Evans And Chris Godwin

Let’s look at some options the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could look at to help fill the void at receiver via trade before the Nov. 5 trade deadline.

mike williams

September 29, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams (18) celebrates the first down of the second half against the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The New York Jets traded Davante Adams to give Aaron Rodgers some help, leaving eight-year veteran wide receiver Mike Williams as the odd man out in a crowded wide receiver room.

Williams hasn’t been productive in seven games with the Jets since arriving from Los Angeles, making just 11 catches for 160 yards and no scores. Williams is owed nearly $10 million in cap space, so the Jets will likely have to take on some of his contract to make things work, but a late-round draft pick or trade could go a long way toward doing that.

Williams could be a big-bodied winger and outside help like Mike Evans, while rookie Jalen McMillan could possibly return to his more natural role as a slot receiver.

Diontae Johnson

October 13, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (5) reacts after making a catch in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images / Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

If the Bucs decide to make a trade before the deadline, Dionte Johnson might be the most logical choice. Johnson joined the Panthers this offseason and has been their most productive offensive player through seven games, hauling in 30 catches for 357 yards and three touchdowns.

Johnson is set to become a free agent after this season and will likely have a solid price tag, but he fits what the Bucs are looking for as a stopgap player and maybe, just maybe, could be a player former Bucs OC Dave Canales could pitch to. His former team is a bone that could net them the second draft pick next day in an interdivisional trade.

READ MORE: Inside Spyglass: Buccaneers vs. Falcons in Week 8

Christian Kirk

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) reacts to the reception during the third quarter of the NFL football game at EverBank Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Jacksonville, Florida. San Francisco 49ers defeated Jacksonville Jaguars 34-3. (Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union) / Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Unio / USA TODAY NETWORK

Jaguars wideout Christian Kirk is an interesting name because he is under contract through 2025 and will earn an annual salary of around $18 million; That’s probably something the Jags should take on. But Kirk has shown that he can be a genuine number one and if he can regain that form he is exactly the type of guy the Bucs will love, especially with Evans returning later in the season.

Kirk will likely receive some draft capital as well, but it may not necessarily be as over-the-top as the Rams would like. Cooper Kupp. Kirk immediately shined when he arrived in Jacksonville in 2022, but his production has dipped a bit since then. This year, Kirk saw action in seven games, catching 25 balls for 320 yards and one score.

Jakobi Meyers

September 29, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders winger Jakobi Meyers (16) attempts a catch in the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images / Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Like Christian Kirk, the Raiders have Jakobi Meyers under contract through the 2025 season, but his annual salary is less than $11 million. That might be more appealing to the Bucs’ front office. and with the Raiders struggling, they may be looking to sell now and build for the future.

Since the departure of Davante Adams, Meyers has been the de facto WR1 in Vegas, racking up 25 catches for 273 yards and one score through five games.

Meyers isn’t a game-breaker by any means, but he can be useful and elevate his game as he’s been stuck in purgatory since entering the league with the New England Patriots and now the Raiders.

READ MORE: Buccaneers’ Power Rankings Drop in Week 8 After Loss to Tough Ravens

Darius Slayton

September 26, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants winger Darius Slayton (86) runs with the ball against Dallas Cowboys linebacker Eric Kendricks (50) in the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images / Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Veteran Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton isn’t necessarily a household name, but he has produced some less-than-ideal quarterback play at his disposal. Slayton is poised to hit the unrestricted free agent market this spring and could be a solid late-Day 2 or Day 3 draft pick rental for the Bucs.

Things are not good in New York right now and they will probably be looking for a point guard here in the new future. Slayton will form a good duo with Mike Evans when he returns, and you can let him walk after the season.

Slayton has caught 25 passes for 312 yards and one score in seven games this season.

Dontayvion Suppositories

October 20, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers winger Dontayvion Wicks (13) moves against Houston Texans cornerback D’Angelo Ross (37) at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Tork Mason/Green Bay Press-Gazette, via USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin-Imagn Images / Tork Mason/Green Bay Press-Gazette, via USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin-Imagn Images

Making a deal to land a receiver from Green Bay seems like a pipe dream, but we’ll look at it anyway because there are a lot of guys who are producing but not necessarily in that upper tier. So the Bucs could at least check to see if a guy like Dontayvion Wicks is available.

Wicks is still under his rookie contract, so the price may be a little higher than most in terms of draft capital, but the salary would be hugely beneficial to the Bucs.

Wicks had a solid rookie season with over 500 receiving yards for 4 touchdowns and has already matched his touchdown total for the year while securing 14 catches for 181 yards. Wicks knows how to make plays and find the end zone, but his experience is struggling with drops; This is something that has been noticed frequently throughout the season.

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