Top Free agent Chris Godwin signs a 3-year $66 million deal to remain in Tampa Bay.
Chris Godwin was having one of his best seasons last year before dislocating his ankle in week 7. The 29-year-old had 50 catches for 576 yards and 5 TDs and was the fantasy WR1 at the time of his injury.
Godwin reportedly turned down a deal worth $20 million more from the Patriots to stay in a far preferable situation for fantasy owners. Turning down that type of money after suffering a significant injury is a risky move for the veteran, but it could indicate that he’s feeling confident in his rehab process.
Either way, Godwin’s return to his comfortable role catching balls from Baker Mayfield is incredible news for dynasty owners, who can now either look to sell high or compete with Godwin going forward. Godwin is aging and coming off his second major injury, but considering the amount of time he’s had to rehab and the fact that it’s not another ACL, it should mean he can positively impact lineups in 2025.
– Blake Stachel (IG: @bllakkay)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said the team is...
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin said that ...
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that he's ...
Is Chris Godwin’s Fantasy Value Dying in Tampa Bay?
Chris Godwin’s 2025 fantasy football outlook is closely tied to his uncertain future with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After a strong start to the 2024 season, Godwin’s year was cut short by a season-ending ankle injury in Week 7. Prior to the injury, he was on pace for one of his best seasons, making him a top fantasy asset when healthy. However, with the Bucs facing limited cap space and a roster in need of adjustments, it’s unclear whether they’ll be able to re-sign him. With Godwin set to hit free agency, teams like the Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Chargers, and New England Patriots could make strong pushes for him, especially given their cap flexibility.
For fantasy managers, Godwin’s future destination will play a huge role in his 2025 value. If he returns to full health and lands with a team boasting a proven quarterback and a dynamic offense, his fantasy value could skyrocket. Godwin’s ability to thrive in the slot and make plays after the catch makes him a strong fantasy option, particularly in PPR formats. While his injury history raises some concerns, his upside remains high. If he lands in an offense that plays to his strengths, Godwin could easily reclaim his status as a WR1 and become a major fantasy asset once again.
Author: Mike Lindberg (@FFCanuck99)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without star wide receiver Chris Godwin for the rest of the season, and without Mike Evans for a few weeks too.
Going into Week 7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin was ranked as the WR2 on the season. With 43 seconds left in the game down by 10 Baker Mayfield found Godwin for a 21-yard completion. But Godwin did not get up after he was tackled, instead he would have to get carted off the field. After the game reports came out Godwin dislocated his ankle and will have to have season-ending surgery this week. It is devastating news to the 28-year-old impending free agent, who was having a career year before this injury.
Godwin’s future is in question, he is set to be highly sought after in free agency, he very well could have played his last snap with the Buccaneers. For the rest of season, the Buccaneers will have to lean on their 3-headed running back core and young receivers in Jalen McMillian, Trey Palmer, Sterling Shepard, and Cade Otton. Mike Evans would be the number one target, but he too suffered a hamstring injury in Monday’s game and will be out until after Week 11 per reports for Head Coach Todd Bowles.
The Buccaneers are going to need more cannons after defeating the Commanders 37-20.
Baker Mayfield thrived week 1 versus the Washington Commanders. With new offensive coordinator Liam Coen in town, questions arose in the offseason about whether or not there would be a dropoff for the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year Finalist.
Baker cooked up 289 passing yards and 4 touchdown passes against the Commanders weak secondary. Mike Evans rose to the occasion with 5 receptions, 61 receiving yards, and 2 touchdowns. Chris Godwin and rookie Jalen McMillan also had a receiving touchdown each.
The Buccaneers will travel to Detroit for what will present prime conditions for an offensive shootout. Expect Baker Mayfield to pick up where he left off in week 1, making Buccaneers wideouts viable in all formats.
The Buccaneers rookie wide receiver is getting encouraging usage both in practice and in preseason action.
Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan is an excellent late round pick on UnderDog fantasy for best ball, going in round 15. Ian Hartitz on X posted that McMillan lined up out wide for 7 out 10 snaps he played against the Bengals in his first preseason game.
The competition for the Buccaneers third wide receiver spot is something to monitor as Chris Godwin and Mike Evans roles are set in stone set aside an injury occurring. Jalen McMillan is battling second year wideout Trey Palmer. Trey Palmer ran 53.4% of his snaps in the slot last year. The expectation is that Chris Godwin will move primarily into the slot.
With Godwin playing in the slot, this opens up an opportunity for Jalen McMillan to battle for time in 11 personnel packages. Jalen McMillan runs a 4.47 40-yard dash and comes from the Washington Huskies offense that was crowded with NFL talent in Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze and Patriots wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk. Jalen McMillan can certainly hold his own and is a sneaky player to acquire in a larger trade where he is thrown into the deal.
Buccaneers wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon is planning on deploying Chris Godwin in the slot a majority of the time in 2024.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon said at a press conference that Chris Godwin will be moving back to the slot as his primary role. While seemingly minor on the surface, this will make fantasy gamers’ ears perk up knowing how well Chris Godwin plays in the slot.
Chris Godwin famously had a breakout season in 2019 where he had a 50.5% slot snap rate which was 12th in the league compared to 2023 where Godwin was 26th in the league at a 32% slot snap rate. This is welcome news as Godwin in 2019 posted 86 receptions (11th overall), 1,333 receiving yards (3rd overall), and had 9 total touchdowns. That year, Chris Godwin was also number 1 overall for yards after the catch with 574.
Chris Godwin is currently going 77th overall in the 7th round on UnderDog and is the 44th ranked wide receiver in our Dynasty rankings. Chris Godwin at 28 is a sneaky buy in Dynasty and won’t require a massive overpay.
