The injury situation for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is showing no signs of improvement. Even as they managed to skate to a 5-1 start, it felt unsustainable if the team did not get healthy soon. Unfortunately, the game against the Detroit Lions did nothing to improve the situation. Entering the game without Bucky Irving and Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka was left to a game-time decision while Mike Evans was making his return after four weeks.
What began as an opportunity turned to tragedy, as the veteran superstar had to be taken out of the game with a shoulder injury and concussion. As it turned out, the injury was a much bigger deal, with head coach Todd Bowles confirming that he had broken his clavicle. As a result, Evans is likely to miss the entirety of the 2025 season. With virtually no wide receiving options left on the roster, the organization may need to look elsewhere, and here are seven options that could make sense for them.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wide Receiver Targets
Tyler Lockett
After spending the first 10 seasons of his career with the Seattle Seahawks, Tyler Lockett made his way to the Tennessee Titans this year. However, after just seven games with his new team, during which they fired their head coach and went 1-6, he asked for, and was granted, his release from the franchise.
Totaling just 70 receiving yards on the season, he hasn’t been utilized well by the Titans, ranking 83rd on PFSN’s WR Impact. The veteran wide receiver has continued a steady decline after finishing sixth in the league in 2021.
Jakobi Meyers
After not getting a contract extension this offseason, it is unclear what the future holds for Jakobi Meyers as a Las Vegas Raider. With the kind of start that the team has had, it is entirely possible that they blow up their core entirely and potentially part ways with a talented wide receiver.
After a breakout 2024 where he tallied 1,027 yards, he’s had another strong season so far, with 329 yards through six games. Ranked 43rd in the league, he’s shown the potential to be better, with two finishes in the top-30.
Tyler Boyd
After a lone season with the Tennessee Titans, Tyler Boyd remains on the free agency market, with no team showing a ton of interest in him. Far removed from his glory days of the late 2010s, his numbers have steadily declined over the last five seasons.
However, in 2024, they suffered a precipitous fall, as he finished with 390 receiving yards in 16 games, leading to the worst finish of his career on WRi at 79.
Calvin Ridley
Another Titans wide receiver, the team might not be willing to move from Calvin Ridley anymore after parting ways with Lockett, as that might leave the wide receiver room a little too empty.
A consistent producer throughout his career, Ridley has three seasons over 1,000 yards, with a 1,374-yard, nine-touchdown season serving as his claim to fame. However, this year, he’s gotten off to an extremely slow start, with 290 yards through six games, ranking 58th in the league.
Chris Olave and Rasheed Shaheed
The biggest hurdle for these two talented wide receivers is the division they play in. It seems highly unlikely that the New Orleans Saints will give up a valuable asset to help improve a divisional rival.
As a result, either of these two names may be an unlikely target for the Buccaneers, even if a move for them could significantly help minimize the loss of Godwin and Evans.
Allen Lazard
In an Aaron Rodgers special, Allen Lazard found himself mimicking the trajectory of his former teammate, until this season. As the four-time MVP went to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Lazard remained with the New York Jets.
However, his struggles have magnified under a 0-7 operation, with the offense finding virtually no consistency. In five games this year, he has a total of just six receptions, accounting for just 40 yards.
Josh Reynolds
Bouncing around from squad to squad, Josh Reynolds hasn’t found a home in the NFL. With the Jets likely headed towards a complete teardown of the roster after remaining the only winless team in the league through seven weeks, parting ways with veteran wide receivers might be their priority.
That would make Reynolds an instantly viable candidate, as he has just 101 receiving yards through five games, leading to a 72nd-place ranking on WRi.
