The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are one of six NFL teams without a loss this season. Yet, their start to the season has been a bit of an eye-sore for fantasy managers (unless you like old-school, low-scoring defensive battles fresh from the 1970s).
Tampa’s usual start-studded offense of the Tom Brady era is struggling largely due to the underwhelming passing attack.
But there’s a reason. First, Tampa dealt with offensive line injuries throughout training camp, which they are still working through. But more importantly, the Bucs have struggled with player availability in the wide receiver room — injuries to Chris Godwin, Julio Jones and Russell Gage, in particular.
Now, Brady will be without the suspended Mike Evans for Week 3, and the pass-catching options will be…interesting.
The NFL upheld Mike Evans’ one-game suspension for hitting Saints’ CB Marshon Lattimore. Evans is now officially out for Sunday’s game vs. the Green Bay Packers.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 21, 2022
Tom Brady’s got to throw the ball to someone, though, and we’re here to help you fantasy football managers determine who it’ll be. Here are three Bucs receivers to consider playing in Week 3 amidst all the injury woes.
3
Breshad Perriman
So, there are two Bucs wide receivers who have suited up for both games and scored a touchdown this season. One is Mike Evans, who won’t be playing on Sunday. The other is Breshad Perriman.
Perriman doesn’t have nearly the floor, ceiling or track record as Evans or a healthy Chris Godwin. But, as key wideouts float in and out of the rotation, maybe Perriman can continue to be useful for the time being.
2
Cole Beasley
It feels like in every chapter of the Tom Brady novel there’s one that features him throwing to a nifty little slot receiver. And with Cole Beasley recently signed, there may be another addition to that book.
Beasley isn’t too far removed from his career-best 2020 season. He showed last year that he still has enough left in the tank to produce for a great offense — particularly, one with a ton of weapons.
So, as we wait and see which receivers are officially in and which are out, keep an eye on Cole Beasley as someone the Bucs could utilize in Week 3.
1
Russell Gage
The top option is Russell Gage. He’s played both weeks and been relatively quiet, but he was Tampa’s splash signing this offseason and you have to figure they’ll get him involved more pretty soon.
This Sunday could, and should, be his “welcome to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers” moment.
