The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced today that the team has applied its franchise tag to wide receiver Chris Godwin. In addition, the team tendered the following exclusive rights free agents: tight end Tanner Hudson, defensive lineman Jeremiah Ledbetter, defensive lineman Pat O'Connor and long snapper Zach Triner.
Godwin (6-1, 209) has started 33-of-58 games in which he has appeared for Tampa Bay since entering the league as a third-round selection (No. 84 overall) in the 2017 NFL Draft. In his four seasons with the Buccaneers, Godwin has totaled 244 receptions for 3,540 yards (14.5 avg.) and 24 touchdowns. He earned both Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors in 2019 after a career season, which saw him finish third in the NFL in receiving yards (1,333).
In 2020, Godwin finished second on the Buccaneers with 65 receptions and 840 yards receiving over 12 games played. He also tallied seven receiving touchdowns for Tampa Bay, which tied for second among all Buccaneers in 2020. Over the team's four-game Super Bowl LV title run, Godwin recorded 16 receptions for 232 yards and one touchdown. His 16 postseason receptions and 232 receiving yards each marked the most in a single postseason in franchise history.
Over the past two seasons, Godwin ranks sixth in the NFL in receiving yards per game (83.6), tied for 10th in receiving touchdowns (16) and third in the NFL in catch percentage (73.7 percent), according to SportRadar.
Godwin ranks tied for second among receivers in his 2017 NFL Draft class in touchdown receptions (24) and 100-yard receiving performances (11), while ranking third in both receptions (244) and receiving yards (3,540).
Godwin's career-best 1,333 receiving yards in 2019 stand as the fourth-most in a single season in franchise history, while his 86 receptions that year rank tied for third in team annals. Among Tampa Bay career ranks, Godwin is eighth in team history in receiving yards, with 3,540, and tied for eighth with his 24 receiving touchdowns.
A native of Middletown, Delaware, Godwin played collegiately at Penn State.
Hudson (6-5, 239) has appeared in 20 games, making one start, for Tampa Bay over the past two seasons, recording five receptions for 67 yards (13.4 avg.). He originally entered the league as a college free agent with the Buccaneers in 2018 before spending his first season on Tampa Bay's practice squad. The Camden, Tennessee, native played collegiately at Southern Arkansas. He wears No. 88 for Tampa Bay.
Ledbetter (6-3, 295) has tallied 18 tackles (one for loss), six quarterback hits and 1.5 sacks over 20 career games since entering the league as a sixth-round selection (No. 205 overall) by the Detroit Lions in the 2017 NFL Draft. After playing his rookie season in Detroit, Ledbetter has spent time on Tampa Bay's practice squad or active roster in each of the past three seasons (2018-20). The Gainesville, Georgia, native played collegiately at Arkansas. He wears No. 95 for the Buccaneers.
O'Connor (6-4, 270) has played 27 games with the Buccaneers from 2017-20, recording five tackles (one for loss), two quarterback hits and 1.0 sack, while being a core contributor on special teams where he has five tackles and one blocked punt, which he recovered. The Eastern Michigan product is a native of Chicago and wears No. 79 for Tampa Bay.
Triner (6-2, 245) has played in all 32 games for Tampa Bay since signing with the team in 2019, recording three special teams tackles. The Marshfield, Massachusetts, native, played collegiately at Assumption College. He wears No. 97 for the Buccaneers.
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