Remember when Chris Godwin flirted with an average of 20 FPPG? Yeah he did it way back in 2019, but that’s not when we’re referring to. Think more recently, as recent as 2024. It’s been two years since then with two injury-shortened campaigns, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout remains a standout threat running routes out of the slot.
With longtime running mate Mike Evans on a new team, there’s a glaring hole to fill in his absence. Entering his age-30 campaign, could we see one more awesome fantasy football season in a return to form from Godwin in 2026?
Can Chris Godwin bounce back in fantasy football?
Once upon a time, Chris Godwin was a legitimate fantasy superstar. In 2019 – admittedly a weak year for wide receivers – he was one of the best in the game with 19.7 FPPG. He then posted 15.9, 17.3, 14.9 and 12.3 FPPG prior to a resurgent 2024, when he averaged a whopping 19.7 FPPG and ranked second at the position in per-game production prior to a severe ankle injury that ended his campaign after seven games. He wasn’t himself in 2025, appearing in just nine games while dealing with more injury woes. In the end, he put up 33 catches on 51 targets, racking up 360 yards with two touchdowns. Per PFF, his 68.9 receiving grade ranked 45th among 81 qualifying wideouts.
Granted, Godwin did have some usable weeks in fantasy football last year, though his ceiling was limited. He hit double-digit points four times, including a 23.8-point outing in PPR. However, that was his only game with a weekly finish better than WR24; far from a consistent player beyond a low-end FLEX spot.
The days of nearly 20 FPPG are surely behind Godwin if recent production serves as any indication. The injuries have piled up over the last two seasons – multiple surgeries were needed to repair that 2024 ankle dislocation prior to the 2025 regular season, then a fibula issue kept him out for multiple weeks around midseason last year as well. At the age of 30, he’s not getting any younger and has played only 16 games over the last two campaigns combined.
And yet, it’s difficult to totally count Godwin out. A slot role means that he doesn’t have to rely on long speed, instead using route-running ability and deceleration to win reps over defensive backs. His best seasons have come in such a role, and based on the three-year, $66 million contract he signed to remain in Tampa Bay, it doesn’t seem the organization is too worried about his health to begin with. Based on the surrounding talent, it wouldn’t be shocking to project a significant uptick in target share for the veteran, either.
Second-year receiver Emeka Egbuka was very impressive for stretches as a rookie, so he’s clearly going to take on a major workload as the bonafide replacement for Evans. He posted 938 yards and six touchdowns on 63 catches last year, commanding 127 targets on the season. He should only improve with experience, so projecting him to work as the top option for Baker Mayfield makes sense. The rest of the pass-catchers are less inspiring, though. Wideout Jalen McMillan hasn’t shown all that much at a pro level and has dealt with major injuries already, while third-round pick Ted Hurst may primarily work in the X role and likely needs some seasoning before he’s a real threat for target share. Tight end Cade Otton’s best season saw him record 600 yards on 59 catches, so he’s not a high performer.
Mayfield and Godwin have displayed a noteworthy connection in the past, so why can’t they do so again? There’s a clear path for Godwin to absorb significant targets now that Evans and his 22.8% target share has been vacated. Godwin himself finished with an 18.3% share last season and a nice 16.2% share in the red zone, also garnering a 10.8% share in the end zone – that’s not bad usage by any means. He also saw a 21.2% first-read share, meaning getting the ball into his hands was a priority. Being further removed from the ankle dislocation should help, and the Buccaneers have the third-easiest schedule for wide receivers, per FantasyPros.
Don’t go way above ADP to reach for Godwin. After all, he could easily continue to struggle this season if his body doesn’t hold up or the injuries truly begin to take a toll on him. However, the upside is tantalizing given the value he would provide at an overall ADP of 80 or later across most major platforms’ PPR drafts. He’s produced at an elite level before and has proven to have a connection with his quarterback, so you can do far worse with a later-round pick.
