Who Should I Start? Chris Godwin Jr. or Ricky Pearsall

Wednesday, June 24, 10:14 AM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers veteran wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. could be the odds-on favorite to take over the team's WR1 job in 2026 now that Mike Evans is in San Francisco, according to River Wells of Sports Illustrated. Godwin signed a big deal worth $22 million per year before the start of last season, but he was hurt for most of 2025 and finished with 33 receptions on 55 targets for a career-low 360 yards and two touchdowns in nine games (six starts) in his ninth year in the NFL (all with Tampa). The 30-year-old has spoken at length about how good he feels about where his health is. Godwin got a lot of looks in the slot during organized team activities and minicamp and looked crisp with the ball in his hands. Second-year wideout Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan should also have bigger roles in 2026 in Tampa's passing game, but Godwin has plenty of trust from veteran quarterback Baker Mayfield and could return excellent value in PPR leagues if he can stay healthy. Godwin has played in only 16 games the last two years due to injuries, but before that, he had three straight 1,000-yard campaigns. RotoBaller currently has him ranked as the No. 48 fantasy WR going into the 2026 season.