Football is back! Well, it's training camp and the first preseason game isn't until August 9, but it's a start. As the Buccaneers prepare for the 2018 season, we're going to highlight a particular player to watch each day.
After watching him in mini-camp, the first choice was easy in wide receiver Chris Godwin. Godwin didn't really become an active participant in the Bucs' passing game til the latter part of 2017. He didn't score his first NFL touchdown until the last game of the season – the game-winner against New Orleans. He finished the season with 525 yards on 34 receptions for a stellar 15.4 yards per catch. He had all the momentum at the end of the year and it should carry him right into this coming season.
The work that Godwin has been putting in this offseason has been evident. He came in to OTAs in shape and ready to go. He was a human highlight reel during mini-camp, making spectacular catches left and right. Or rather up the seam, on an inside slant or on a corner route. You name it, Godwin did it.
With how he looked in the offseason, you'd think you were looking at a bona fide NFL starter. However, given the Bucs' depth at the receiver position, the fourth receiver is still pretty open. You have the vets in Mike Evans, who just signed a very lucrative contract extension, DeSean Jackson and Adam Humphries as your first three. Yes, Godwin could and likely will fill that last spot, but he'll have to contend with Bobo Wilson, Freddie Martino, who also had a good showing at mini-camp, as well as rookie receiver Justin Watson, who the team drafted out of Penn in the fifth round of this past year's draft.
It'll be up to Godwin to continue showing up in camp and proving himself. That's what makes him the player to watch as training camp opens up at One Buc Place on Thursday.
