The wide receiver trade market has been predominantly focused on guys like Tee Higgins and Brandon Aiyuk, but Chris Godwin could also be on the move. Originally selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, the Penn State product spent most of the past five years as part of one of the game’s most dangerous receiving duos.
After starting his career behind DeSean Jackson and Adam Humphries, Godwin broke out during his third season in the league. Earning his first trip to the Pro Bowl, the wideout recorded 86 receptions for 1,333 yards and nine touchdowns. One year later, he played a pivotal role in winning the Super Bowl. Once seen as a foundational piece of a winning organization, Chris Godwin could be on the trade block.
The wide receiver tore his ACL late in the 2021 season and never fully recaptured his form. While he’s still a good player, Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports believes that the Buccaneers could trade Chris Godwin in a cost-cutting move.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Could Trade Chris Godwin
Benjamin’s main reason for a Chris Godwin trade lies in his salary. The wide receiver is still a reliable weapon, but he isn’t worth his $27.5 million cap hit. According to OverTheCap, the Buccaneers can save $20 million by trading him after June 1st, and they’d probably be willing to do that for the right price.
With Mike Evans firmly entrenched as the top option in the passing game, Godwin will never come close to justifying his current deal. Seeing as the 2024 wide receiver draft class is loaded with talent, Tampa Bay could try and find a cost-effective replacement for the former Pro Bowler.
If this happens, several teams should be interested in a Chris Godwin trade. Seeing as the Buccaneers won’t save meaningful money until after June 1st, a trade will likely go down after the 2024 NFL Draft. Even in a loaded class, there are on so many receivers to go around, and Godwin could be a perfect Plan B for any team that misses on their preferred prospect.
Possible Team Fits
Baltimore Ravens
Odell Beckham will not be a Baltimore Raven in 2024, which means the team must replace another key player from their 2023 roster. While Beckham came alive down the stretch, he’s still a shell of his former self. The present-day version of Chris Godwin is still a better player than Beckham, and the Ravens should be willing to pull off a trade. Pairing Lamar Jackson with Godwin, Zay Flowers, and Mark Andrews should give this team all the firepower it needs to go on another deep playoff run.
Kansas City Chiefs
With Rashee Rice now facing eight charges, it’s safe to say the Chiefs star wide receiver will miss a decent part of the 2024 season, at the very least. Marquise Brown is the only proven receiver on the roster, and he’s playing on a one-year deal. This team needs a reliable chain mover, and they could get one with a Chris Godwin trade. While some teams aren’t willing to negotiate with the Kansas City Chiefs, the Buccaneers should be willing to strike a deal with the reigning NFC champions. After all, the only way Kansas City could end Tampa Bay’s season is if they met in the Super Bowl.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers desperately need players who can catch the ball. Quentin Johnston had a historically bad rookie season and Josh Palmer is nothing more than a career journeyman. Even if he can’t recapture his 2019 form, Los Angeles should trade for Chris Godwin if they want to give Justin Herbert a fighting chance. Pairing him with a rookie like Marvin Harrison Jr or Malik Nabers should give the Chargers the necessary firepower to go blow-for-blow with Kansas City.
New England Patriots
The Patriots are going to take a quarterback with the third-overall pick, and they’ll need to do something to support this developmental prospect. Kendrick Bourne and Demario Douglas are nothing more than role players, and Hunter Henry is starting to slow down. This team needs a game-changing talent and Chris Godwin might be the most cost-effective one available on the trade market. If the team isn’t willing to spend up for Tee Higgins or Brandon Aiyuk, Godwin could be the reliable veteran presence this team so desperately needs.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have done a good job of improving the environment for Bryce Young. With an improved offensive line and wide receiver Diontae Johnson, the Alabama product now has the opportunity to succeed. However, this team could still use another wideout, and Dave Canales has plenty of experience with the former Pro Bowler. The only question is if the Buccaneers would ever agree to trade Chris Godwin within the division.
Main Photo: Kim Klement Neitzel – USA Today Sports
