Baker Mayfield enjoyed his finest statistical season as a professional quarterback in 2024, so it’s only fitting that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would want to keep supplying him with offensive weapons.
Mayfield threw for a career-best 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns last season while leading the Buccaneers to the NFC South crown and a No. 3 seed in the NFL playoffs. His 71.4% completion percentage and 106.8 passer rating were also personal bests.
So, it stands to reason that general manager Jason Licht might be salivating over a deep receiver class in the 2025 NFL Draft. Especially as uncertainty surrounds the status of starter Chris Godwin as he flirts with free agency.
Analyst Predicts WR Tez Johnson to Buccaneers
There is increased hope that Godwin will return to Tampa Bay next season. The franchise recently restructured the language in his contract to move the void date from Feb. 17 to March 12. This gives the two sides more time to negotiate a new deal before free agency starts at 4 p.m. on March 12.
Godwin is coming off an injury-plagued 2024 campaign that saw his year end in Week 7 with a dislocated ankle. Still, the one-time Pro Bowler has been a valuable offensive weapon for the Buccaneers over his eight seasons there.
Chris Godwin’s current contract was due to void, triggering $18 million in dead money against the Bucs’ 2025 cap, but the two sides agreed to move that void date to the final day of the league year (March 12). Buys them time to work out a new deal and keep some 2025 cap savings.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) February 19, 2025
Godwin has 579 catches for 7,266 yards and 39 touchdowns in 111 games (84 starts). If he were to leave in free agency, then the team would have to make a move to replace his production. Enter Oregon prospect Tez Johnson.
Pro Football Sports Network’s Ben Rolfe has Johnson going to the Buccaneers in Round 3 at pick No. 84. Johnson could jump right into a starting role in the slot, using his quick-twitch abilities to outflank bigger linebackers and safeties.
Rolfe wrote: “How the Buccaneers approach the WR position largely depends on what happens with Chris Godwin. If Godwin returns, the Buccaneers are unlikely to chase a WR on Day 2 given they also have Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan. However, if Godwin moves on in free agency, Tez Johnson is an intriguing prospect to replace him in that slot receiver role.”
Tez Johnson reportedly “rose up draft boards” more than any other player at the Senior Bowl this week.
Johnson reportedly didn’t lose a SINGLE 1-on-1 rep through three practices.
Many NFL scouts reportedly believe Johnson’s route running skills could put “NFL CB’s” in the… pic.twitter.com/S80YjCGSUb
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) January 30, 2025
The 5-foot-10, 165-pounder is lighter than Godwin — 50 pounds to be exact, but with similar burner speed — which could be a drawback for absorbing punishing hits over the middle.
Rolfe wrote: “Johnson’s biggest knock is his size, and he is nearly 50 pounds lighter than Godwin, so durability across the middle could be a concern for the Buccaneers. However, that is an area the coaching staff can work on, while his natural ability to run smart routes and get separation, as well as his elusiveness, are harder traits to teach.”
Johnson spent his first three collegiate seasons at Troy in the Sun Belt Conference before transferring to Oregon in 2023. He hauled in 310 receptions for 3,889 yards and 28 touchdowns in 62 college games.
Buccaneers Enjoyed Prolific Offense in 2024 Season
Mayfield’s career year in Tampa Bay has largely been credited to outgoing offensive coordinator Liam Coen. After a mini-controversy nearly blew that up, he recently bolted for the head coaching job in Jacksonville.
It remains to be seen just how good the new-look offense will be in 2025. The Buccaneers promoted Josh Grizzard to offensive coordinator from passing-game coordinator. Grizzard will be Mayfield’s ninth different play-caller since the quarterback entered the league in 2018.
Last year, Tampa Bay ranked as the No. 3 offense in football by total offense (399.5 yards per game) and PFSN’s Offense+ metric. They were also No. 4 in points per game (29.5) and boasted the third-best passing attack, averaging 250.4 yards per game (4,257 total passing yards).
