Who Should I Start? Chris Godwin Jr. or Khalil Shakir

Saturday, March 14, 9:17 AM

Playing in parts of only nine games in 2025, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. put up the worst statistical campaign of his nine-year career, recording personal lows in receptions and yards, while his two receiving touchdowns were the lowest since his rookie year in 2017. Entering 2026, the Buccaneers will be without future Hall of Famer Mike Evans for the first time in over a decade, opening a target vacuum that Godwin could be first in line to fill. Godwin missed the first three games of 2025, opening a window for first-round pick Emeka Egbuka to form an early rapport with Baker Mayfield, but the chemistry faded down the stretch, and it was Godwin who received the second-most looks behind Evans over the final month of the season. One more year removed from the brutal ankle injury that ended his 2024 season, Godwin should see his target share and raw opportunities spike to the pre-injury count that saw him top 1,000 yards for five straight seasons.