The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have an unusual plan of loading wide receivers this 2025 NFL season. It's far deeper than the WR unit years ago. The team knew that injuries destroyed their 2024 campaign, and it might be a better idea to move one of them to another team: Trey Palmer.

The injuries of Chris Godwin and Mike Evans proved to be costly for the Bucs, but some players stepped up in their absence.

Jalen McMillan Emerges as Key Playmaker Down the Stretch

NFL Trade Rumors: Trey Palmer Might Be on the Trade NFL Trade Rumors: Trey Palmer Might Be on the Trade
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Godwin sat out the last 10 regular-season games, and Evans also missed time on the sidelines, but thanks to the steady efforts of tight end Cade Otton and rookie running back Bucky Irving, the team managed to hang on.

According to Heavy, Evans' return toward the end of the season stabilized the offense, but it was rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan who really rose to the occasion on the critical stretch.

McMillan went on fire over the last five games of the season, catching seven of his eight total touchdowns over the period and scoring in all five games. The breakout effort secured his place as a future foundation piece of the offense.

Now, with Chris Godwin healthy and the addition of first-round pick Emeka Egbuka, 19th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Bucs' wide receiver corps went from thin to deep with talent.

Emeka Egbuka Adds Immediate Value to the Offense

Egbuka, a top-ranked prospect with exceptional route-running ability, is featured as a plug-and-play starter who can line up at any of the three wide receiver positions. He's been a big help to quarterback Baker Mayfield (or whoever is calling signals) in what is developing into one of the deeper WR groups in the NFC South.

With this talent acquisition, Tampa Bay is in a place where it can pursue trade options, and third-year wide receiver Trey Palmer may be the odd man out.

Trey Palmer as Trade Candidate

Palmer, who was a high-ceiling sixth-round draft pick from Nebraska, finds himself battling a logjam at wide receiver that could send him to the inactive roster.

Logan Ulrich of NFL Trade Rumors recently listed Palmer among the best wide receiver trade candidates on the roster as training camp approaches.

Ulrich noted that while Palmer showed potential as a deep threat during his rookie season, he could be squeezed out of Tampa Bay's crowded receiving corps, especially with the team drafting two new wideouts and returning their top four receivers from last year.

Palmer had a respectable first year in 2023 with 39 receptions for 385 yards and three touchdowns, but his offense declined in 2024 as he transitioned to a special-teams role, notching only 12 catches for 172 yards and one touchdown. His emphasis on punt return work might have reduced his opportunities on the passing side.

Buccaneers Drafting Strategy Indicates Change in Offensive Priorities

Tampa Bay's front office has evidently put a premium on wide receiver depth in recent drafts. Besides McMillan and Egbuka, the team picked up Tez Johnson from Oregon with their last pick in 2025 (No. 235 overall).

With Evans, Godwin, McMillan, and Egbuka presumably securing the top four WR positions, that leaves Palmer, Johnson, Sterling Shepard, and Ryan Miller to fight over the last two positions.

If Johnson can be counted on as a punt returner, Palmer's distinctive value might even erode further, making a back-end-of-the-draft trade the smartest move for both teams.

Tampa Bay's WR Depth a Double-Edged Sword

What used to be a glaring weak spot in 2024 became a significant strength for the Buccaneers in 2025. With its reloaded receiving corps, Tampa Bay now has the mobility to make roster maneuvers and even acquire assets by trading Trey Palmer.

In another NFL trade rumor report, Tom Brady reportedly blocked the Las Vegas Raiders from getting Sam Darnold.