Writing The Ship: Buccaneers Could Buy Low On A Potential Star Wide Receiver

Mike Evans has left the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Whether it be because of the coach, the quarterback or just the general direction of the team, whatever the reason he is gone. Now the goal is to replace him.

Of course you probably won’t find another hall of fame receiver in the draft. In terms of replacing his talent and his impact on the Tampa community, replacing him is an impossible task. The Bucs just need to replace his skillset in their offense.

The offense lacks a true X wide receiver without Evans. His size and vertical threat down field are things that no one else on the team can replicate. These are attributes that the team will have to draft if they want them as part of their offense. 

No one can bring exactly what Evans brought. It’s rare to find 6‘4 and 230+ wide receivers who can run like a gazelle. However, there is one player who comes somewhat close.

However, this is also someone who is coming off an injury, so there is risk involved. But if general manager Jason Licht is willing to take a chance on him, then the Buccaneers could buy low on a potential star wide receiver. 

In terms of big, fast wide receivers it doesn’t get much better than Louisville’s Chris Bell. He measured in at the combine at 6  ‘1 and 222 lbs. So not exactly the physical profile of a Mike Evans type; Bell is really built more like AJ Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles who plays the same role as Evans.

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We didn’t get testing numbers for Bell due to his late season ACL tear. However, we know he’s fast. His game tape is filled with him running away from defenders and making big plays. 

This is the element that the Buccaneers need now. With the likes of Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan, those are guys who win with route running and do a lot of work out of the slot. Neither is the physical specimen that Bell is, either in terms of speed of physicality. 

Bell’s injury came at an unfortunate time. He was nearing in on 1,000 receiving yards and getting some first round buzz towards the end of the year. He missed both his team’s final game of the regular season and the bowl game.

This unfortunate injury could be a lucky break for the Buccaneers. While the Bucs will need to address defense early on, they could target Bell in the middle of round two if they view him as the best player available. There might be bigger needs at other positions, but I don’t think that will stop the Bucs from addressing wide receiver if the right player falls into their laps.

Chris Bell might be that right player. In terms of speed and size, very few can bring to the table what Bell does. And that doesn’t include the other positive aspects of his game such as a reliable set of hands to catch anything that comes his way. 

Bell might not be the same prototype as Evans, but they both play the same role. A big body X receiver who has the type of speed to generate big players (although the two use their speed in different ways). This might not be the exact stylistic replacement for Evans, but due to his injury the Buccaneers could buy low on this potential star wide receiver.

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