It's time for making big deals and trades in the NFL before the 2024 draft. NFL This is the time for general managers to make moves, with just over three weeks until the 2024 NFL draft. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may be interested in making some changes.
John Buhler from Fansided suggested a major trade. This trade would send former NFL All-Pro wide receiver and Super Bowl champion Chris Godwin from the Buccaneers to the Arizona Cardinals in return for three draft picks.
The Buccaneers, who already have the No. 26 overall pick, would get the Cardinals' first-round pick (No. 27) and two third-round picks (No. 66 and No. 77) in 2024.
The goal would be to support the player the Cardinals are expected to pick at No. 4 overall: Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
“Even adding the brilliant former Ohio State wide receiver may not be enough,” Buhler wrote on March 31. “General manager Monti Ossenfort may need to get Kyler Murray another weapon and Harrison a running mate outside the numbers. One such player who could be available for a trade is Chris Godwin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He got the bag a few years ago but is slightly overpaid for his production.”
Has Chris Godwin's Productivity Declined?
The Buccaneers found a gem when they picked Godwin in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft. He's been with Tampa Bay his whole career and has more than 1,000 receiving yards in four of seven seasons, including an NFL All-Pro selection in 2019 with 86 catches for 1,333 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Godwin has had over 1,000 receiving yards for three seasons in a row. His productivity actually went up in 2023 compared to before. In 2022, he had 104 catches for 1,023 yards. In 2023, he had 83 catches for 1,024 yards — basically the same production with 21 fewer catches.
Godwin played on a franchise tag for $15.3 million in 2021 and then signed a three-year deal worth $60 million with $40 million guaranteed before the 2022 season. Money might be the reason for the trade on the Bucs' side.
“For Tampa Bay, you get $20 million off the books for this year on a declining player, as well as picking up three top-75 picks in exchange for Godwin,” Buhler wrote. “The Buccaneers prioritized bringing back Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans and Lavonte David on new deals. There is only so much money to be had for their general manager Jason Licht. The three draft picks give them more time to sustain excellence.”
The Value of Wide Receivers is Rising in the 2024 NFL Draft
The Buccaneers may not want to trade Godwin if they don't have a good replacement in place.
Tampa Bay got good value from rookie wide receiver Trey Palmer after picking him in the sixth round, with 39 catches for 385 yards and 3 touchdowns and eight starts — one more touchdown catch than Godwin.
Trading Godwin might require the Buccaneers to use one of their first-round picks on a wide receiver, but this could be the year to do it. The latest PFF mock draft predicts that eight wide receivers could go in the first round.
“We seem to say this every year, but this group of wide receivers is one of the most skilled and deep classes in the past ten years,” wrote Trevor Sikkema of PFF in his most recent 2024 rankings for wide receivers on April 1.
