Lovie Smith is putting his own team in place at Tampa Bay. After trading away Darrelle Revis and acquiring Josh McCown, wide receiver Mike Williams was next. The Buccaneers announced they have traded away Williams to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the upcoming draft. Now with a huge hole at the wide receiver position, how does Tampa Bay replace him?
Williams showed talent during his tenure with the Buccaneers. The fourth-round pick out of Syracuse in 2010 was plagued by injuries last season, putting up a career-low 216 yards in just six games. Before that he had three straight seasons of at least 63 catches, showing he is a proven threat. However, off-the-field issues have completely clouded that. The wide receiver was recently hospitalized after being stabbed in the leg by his brother in his Tampa home. As a result, Smith decided to move on and the Bills were ready to trade.
There is almost nothing on the free agent market that will replace Williams' production. The team could get someone like Santonio Holmes or Sidney Rice, but they will not equal the threat that Williams was and could have been. So the only option left for Tampa Bay is the draft. Right now, Vincent Jackson becomes the best receiver on the team with very little behind him. The Buccaneers must get a reliable target to pair with him.
Armed with the No. 7 overall pick, the Buccaneers will now have to shift their focus to the wide receiver position. The team was likely going to take a quarterback with that pick, trading away Williams means they need the best receiver available. So who could that be?
Sammy Watkins will gone by the time the Buccaneers step up to the podium at No. 7. However, Mike Evans will be ready and waiting to hear his name called. The Texas A&M product has a very similar build to Williams and would be an excellent replacement. Evans has been praised for his size and big play-making abilities. He would be very similar to a Brandon Marshall type of receiver, someone McCown is very familiar with.
Kelvin Benjamin could also be an option. The FSU receiver has seen his stock sky rocket despite a lackluster NFL Combine. The receiver has taken visits to multiple teams in need of a playmaker and Tampa Bay could be next. The trade of Williams comes more from his off-the-field issues. Smith is ready for a fresh start with his team and Williams no longer fit the bigger picture.
