The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are entering a new phase offensively after parting ways with one of the most important players in franchise history. Mike Evans’ move to the San Francisco 49ers has left a major hole in Tampa Bay’s receiving corps, both in production and in presence.
While the Buccaneers still have familiar names on the roster, the current group lacks the proven outside force that defined their passing attack for years. That is why trade speculation involving Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr. has started to gain traction. And if Tampa Bay wants to stay relevant in a wide-open NFC South, adding another impact playmaker may be hard to ignore.
Buccaneers Projected to Land Brian Thomas Jr. After Veteran Mike Evans’ Exit
In a recent Bleacher Report piece outlining possible Brian Thomas Jr. trade packages during the 2026 NFL Draft, Gary Davenport identified Tampa Bay as a potential landing spot. His reasoning centered on the Buccaneers’ roster after a disappointing finish to last season and the loss of Evans in free agency.
“The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in the midst of a critical offseason…Tampa Bay imploded after their bye week last year — the team went 2-7 the rest of the way and failed to make the postseason,” the report mentioned.
Davenport also explained why the receiver room is now under more scrutiny than before.
“There are also big changes on the Gulf Coast in 2026. After a dozen seasons in Tampa, Mike Evans joined the San Francisco 49ers in free agency. The Buccaneers still have veteran Chris Godwin and youngster Emeka Egbuka at wideout, but Godwin is a 30-year-old coming off back-to-back injury-marred seasons, and Egbuka cooled off considerably last year after a torrid start to his rookie campaign,” the report noted.
Wouldn’t that context be crucial? Why, because Tampa Bay still has talent at wide receiver, but there are real questions about durability, consistency, and whether anyone currently on the roster can replace Evans’ role on the boundary.
Thomas’ 2025 production paints a solid, if not dominant, picture. According to PFSN’s Wide Receiver Impact Metric, he posted a 71.9 WR Impact Score and a C- grade, ranking 71st at the position. Across 14 games, he drew 91 targets, caught 48 passes, and totaled 707 receiving yards while averaging 7.8 yards per target. He has also recorded 13 touchdowns in 2 seasons.
Thomas would not come cheap, but his profile fits what Tampa Bay appears to be missing. He is a bigger-bodied receiver with downfield ability and enough physicality to restore some of the offense’s lost edge.
“Making a move this expensive for Thomas would be a bold play and one with more than a little risk — WR is far from the only need on Tampa’s roster. But adding Thomas would replace the big-bodied boundary receiver the team lost when Evans departed, and the reality is that while the Buccaneers have a window in a winnable NFC South, that window may not stay open much longer with young teams like the Carolina Panthers seemingly on the rise,” added in the report.
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Tampa Bay’s offense also showed signs of instability last season. Per PFSN’s Offense Impact Metric, the Buccaneers finished 8-9 with a 71.4 OFFi, a C- grade, and the No. 21 offensive ranking in the league, which clearly insinuates some work required on the offensive side of the ball.
Still, if the Buccaneers believe their competitive window remains open, a move for Thomas would send a clear message. Tampa Bay may not be one player away, but replacing Evans with a younger, explosive outside target could become one of the defining decisions of its 2026 offseason.
