Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin’s 2023 season could best be described as a mixed bag. On the one hand, he topped 1,000 receiving yards once again, but he also had over 20 fewer receptions than in 2022 and was held to just two touchdown catches.
So, what exactly should fantasy football managers expect from Godwin heading into this season? Here’s the 2024 fantasy outlook for Godwin.
Chris Godwin’s Fantasy Profile for the 2024 NFL Season
As already alluded to, Godwin topped 1,000 receiving yards for the third straight season (1,024) and was a significant part of the Buccaneers’ surprising offensive resurgence in 2023. He also averaged over 12.3 yards per reception, his highest figure since the 2020 campaign (12.9).
He topped 75 or more receiving yards in only five of 17 games last season, but two of those games resulted in 100-yard efforts, including a 155-yard performance in a win over the Green Bay Packers in Week 15.
He was also one of quarterback Baker Mayfield’s favorite targets. Godwin had 130 total targets last season, which was just behind Mike Evans’ team-leading 136 and the second-highest single-season tally of his career (142 targets in 2022).
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But, one of the problems for Godwin last season was the fact that his catch percentage (63.8%) was his worst since 2018 (62.1%).
And then there are the touchdowns, or lack thereof. Ever since he set his career high with nine touchdown receptions in 2019, Godwin has seen his touchdown totals progressively decline each subsequent season. That drop culminated in his two-touchdown 2023 season, Godwin’s poorest showing in that category since he recorded a single score in his rookie 2017 campaign.
In contrast, Evans had a lower catch percentage (58.1%) than Godwin, but he more than made up for it with 13 touchdown receptions.
Is Chris Godwin a Good Fantasy Pick?
Godwin slots in as the WR38 in Pro Football Network’s Consensus Fantasy Football Rankings as of Aug. 13.
This appears to provide terrific value for fantasy managers. While the decline in touchdowns is a legitimate concern, the fact is that last season Godwin was one of only 15 players that had at least 130 targets, 80 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards.
It was the third straight season in which Godwin had at least 125 targets, 80 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards. If you believe these numbers will not drop off next season, the next question is how much do fantasy managers believe Godwin will not be able to regain his ability to get in the end zone?
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Godwin’s rank at the wide receiver position is far from elite, in large part because of his inability to score touchdowns. But all the other signs point to a nice bounce-back season for Godwin.
It may seem like a bit of a reach, but utilizing a mid-round spot on Godwin could be a viable fantasy draft strategy that allows you to capitalize on his consistency. If managers don’t consider him worthy of a mid-round selection, he should provide good value as a later-round pick.