Chris Godwin Fantasy: Are We Back?
Tampa Bay Bucs wide receiver Chris Godwin has been Baker Mayfield’s top target throughout camp this summer. Speaking on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Mayfield praised each of his top receivers individually, but he saved some of his highest praise for Godwin. “Chris Godwin looks like the best version of Chris Godwin,” Mayfield said, “being back in a system that’s gonna help him be successful in spots he does things really well in.”
That endorsement carries extra weight given what Godwin has been through. He dislocated his ankle in Week 7 last season and needed a second surgery to fully address the injury, a setback that, combined with issues the year before, has cost him 17 games over the past two seasons. Now fully healthy and working in new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard’s system, Godwin looks like he’s rediscovering the form that’s made him one of the most reliable route-runners in the league across his nine-year career.
With second-year receiver Emeka Egbuka not practicing due to a toe injury, Godwin has stepped in as Tampa Bay’s clear lead receiver through this stretch of camp. That’s a notable shift for an offense that no longer features Mike Evans, meaning Godwin now carries even more responsibility as the room’s veteran presence and primary security blanket for Mayfield.
Godwin’s chemistry with Mayfield has been evident throughout the summer, and his connection with the quarterback has stood out in joint practice work as well. Mayfield’s comments about a “system that’s gonna help him be successful in spots he does things really well in” point to Grizzard building concepts specifically designed to get Godwin into space where his route-running and after-the-catch ability can shine, rather than forcing him into a role that doesn’t play to his strengths.
With Godwin expected to work heavily out of the slot in Tampa Bay’s revamped passing attack, and Egbuka’s practice absence opening up even more early opportunity, Godwin looks like a strong bet to reclaim a starting-caliber role in fantasy formats this season, assuming his health holds up after two injury-shortened years.
