Chris Godwin re-signs with Tampa Bay: The Dynasty Fantasy Football Impact
In a class of free agent receivers many deemed as weak, Chris Godwin entered today as the prime target for many NFL teams. After all, Davante Adams already signed in Los Angeles and DK Metcalf was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers last night, taking two of the top targets off the board before the clock even started. In the end, Godwin elected to reportedly walk away from more than $20 million more from another team to stay in Tampa Bay on a new three-year contract worth $66 million. The move is significant in Tampa Bay and will make the rest of the NFL quickly pivot to other options. Let’s take a renewed look at the Tampa Bay offense and re-evaluate their dynasty values as a result of Godwin’s surprising move.
Chris Godwin, WR TB
Godwin has been an extraordinarily consistent player for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ever since he was drafted in the third round back in 2017. Over his eight seasons, he’s posted 579 catches, 7,266 yards, and 39 touchdowns. He was also off to a blistering start last year with 50 catches for 576 yards and five touchdowns in just seven games played. In short, he’s a stud. Unfortunately, his season was cut short by a gruesome ankle injury at the end of his last game and put him on the shelf for the year.
It was never a foregone conclusion he’d be back. In fact, most expected a team like New England to simply break the bank for him. The Patriots may indeed have been the team offering him $85M plus, but it’s all irrelevant now as Godwin will be back in pewter. The big question that always surrounds Godwin is his touchdown production. His catch and yardage total are impressive over his career, but his 39 touchdowns in 111 career games have always held him in the WR2 conversation instead of him being a truly elite option.
In the end, this move provides stability to Godwin. Being the WR2 on a good offense instead of a WR1 on a bad one probably evens things out a bit and Baker Mayfield has proven to be a more than adequate answer in Tampa Bay. Anyone with Godwin can expect his customary 90 catches, 1,000 yards and a handful of touchdowns. However, if he can return to full strength and play like he did last year, we could see more. He’s 29 and leaving his prime, so he remains a solid target for anyone with a contending dynasty roster. His ADP should remain very stable.
Mike Evans, WR TB
Speaking of consistency, Evans posted his NFL-record 11th straight 1,000-yard season in 2024, consistency that has just never been seen before. Having Godwin back might hold him back from hitting something closer to 1,500 yards next year, but we’ve seen what he can do time and time again and you can easily just pencil him in 1,000+ yards and double digit touchdowns as a low-end WR1, despite Godwin coming back. His ADP has already dropped because of his age and will remain status quo with the move.
Jalen McMillan, WR TB
And here’s the loser in the deal. McMillan really came on late last season and posted a very impressive 37/461/8 year. Unfortunately, all but one of his touchdowns came after Godwin was hurt. With the dynamic duo running it back again in Tampa Bay, McMillan will remain no better than the third wide receiver. While Mayfield has proven to be good enough to keep two wide receivers very fantasy relevant, the idea he could do that with three seems next to impossible. McMillan is a great roster stash, but it really does look like he’s in a situation where he’s not going to be lineup worthy until Evans or Godwin miss time with injury or move on eventually. On the plus side, this could open up a solid “buy low” window for non-contenders who want to stockpile a little dynasty talent.
Baker Mayfield, WR TB
He’s just gone nuclear since arriving in Tampa Bay. Last year was especially ridiculous as he posted 4,500 passing yards with 41 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. After back-to-back 4,000 yard seasons and 69 total touchdown passes over the past two years, Mayfield has cemented himself as a bona fide elite-level QB1 in dynasty leagues. Having both Godwin and Evans back is going to do nothing but solidify that status. His ADP could actually rise a touch in the coming months.
Cade Otton, TE TB
If there’s another loser in the deal, it’s Otton. He was flat out dominant when Evans and Godwin missed time and spotty when they didn’t. With both of them back, Otton is likely going to go back to being a TE2 who can post some big games but can’t necessarily be relied upon as a consistent lineup option.
Other Bucs Receivers
With the band back together, it’s really pretty tough to see anyone else on the roster being a dynasty option, especially with free agency and the NFL Draft coming up.
Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
