Buccaneers have offensive hole to fill after departure of WR Scotty Miller
While there are going to be a lot of questions about the Buccaneers and their offense in 2023, the wide receiver position is one that most fans won't worry about. Between Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Russell Gage, the unit is in good hands going forward if the group can stay healthy. The only area […]
While there are going to be a lot of questions about the Buccaneers and their offense in 2023, the wide receiver position is one that most fans won't worry about.
Between Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Russell Gage, the unit is in good hands going forward if the group can stay healthy.
The only area where question marks exist is at depth.
Outside of the top three, the Bucs only have two receivers on the roster right now; Deven Thompkins and Kaylon Geiger.
That is certainly not how the team will leave it for the regular season, but they did just miss out on the chance to bring a proven depth piece back when Scotty Miller signed with the Falcons.
Miller hasn't exactly been a big part of the offense since the arrival of players like Antonio Brown, Julio Jones, and Gage, but that doesn't mean he didn't bring something to the table for the Bucs.
Speed isn't exactly something the Buccaneers have in large quantities right now, and while Evans and company still have ways of getting open and are fast in their own regard, the Bucs need to find a new burner to stash on the depth chart to keep that option in their back pocket.
The new quarterback won't rely on the deep ball as much as Tom Brady did during his first two seasons, especially not in an offense that is sure to be pretty conservative if Todd Bowles has a say, but it still helps as a way of keeping the defense honest.
Miller and his 4.3 speed were able to give the Bucs this option, even if his size was working against him on a lot of those outside shots.
Thompkins and Geiger both have aspects of their games that work and are fast, but the team would be wise to go after something with a similar skillset to Miller but a bit more height.
The draft has been Tampa's friend for a while now. They will need to do well again this season when they likely take a receiver in one of the middle rounds if they want to keep their offense in the top half of the league after the loss of Tom Brady.
Scotty Miller may have fallen off in his usage due to some high-profile names in front of him, but don't let that make you think he didn't bring value to this offense.
The Bucs can't go into the season without a replacement.
