The Bucs took one of many 33 receivers within the 2023 NFL Draft. Trey Palmer was chosen 191st general. He was the twenty third receiver chosen.
However if you take a look at the general manufacturing Palmer created as in comparison with the remainder of his draft class, he can solely be described as a steal after 12 months one.
Trey Palmer’s 12 months One Manufacturing
Throughout his rookie marketing campaign Trey Palmer was focused 70 occasions, catching 42 passes for 473 yards and 4 touchdowns (common season and playoffs mixed). These stats place him properly above his draft standing. Amongst rookies, Palmer ranked eleventh in targets and catches, twelfth in receiving yards and catch price, and tied for eighth in touchdowns. Total, it might be secure to say that Palmer performed as in regards to the eleventh or twelfth finest receiver of the 2023 rookie class.
The eleventh receiver chosen final 12 months was Cedric Tillman, taken by the Browns with the 74th general choose within the third spherical. The twelfth receiver was Josh Downs, additionally taken within the third spherical, 79th general by the Colts.
Palmer was one catch shy of Jonathan Mingo, who the Panthers took within the second spherical, thirty ninth general. In essence, one may argue that Palmer performed like a Day 2 broad receiver somewhat than a late Day 3 go catcher.
Bucs Wanted Trey Palmer Sooner Than Anticipated
Bucs WR Trey Palmer – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
The Bucs’ unique plan for Trey Palmer most definitely didn’t embrace him logging 600 routes in 12 months one. Nonetheless, as soon as the group misplaced Russell Gage for the season in coaching camp they have been left with no dependable quantity three receiver on roster. Between Palmer, fellow rookie Rakim Jarrett and second-year receiver Devin Thompkins, Tampa Bay’s depth chart past their high two guys – Mike Evans and Chris Godwin – had mixed for 5 catches and 32 yards for his or her mixed careers.
Initially the group break up their WR3 snaps virtually evenly between Palmer and Thompkins. Via the primary two video games of the season Palmer logged 58 snaps on offense to Thompkins’ 50. From then on Palmer out-snapped Thompkins 3.5:1.
Palmer actually hit his stride down the stretch with the Bucs. From Week 16 by way of the tip of the playoffs Palmer averaged 4.25 targets, 2.6 catches and 44.8 yards per sport with two touchdowns. Over this timeframe the group began to essentially use his calling-card velocity.
Palmer’s common depth of goal throughout that five-week stretch was 12.0. Up till that time his ADOT had been 10.7, and if not for a Week 6 sport towards Detroit the place he averaged over 25 yards per goal that quantity would have been 8.7. As a matter of reality, in 10 of these first 14 video games Palmer averaged below 10 yards per goal.
However because the Bucs offense transitioned Palmer from a decoy/display screen choice to a reliable intermediate to deep risk your entire offense began to enhance.
Silver lining of the NO sport? Trey Palmer. It WAS his popping out celebration. Arrow up on this man. pic.twitter.com/PyXT1cXI4z
— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) January 2, 2024
Bucs Could Look To Push Trey Palmer in 2024
Bucs WR Trey Palmer – Photograph by: USA Immediately
Whereas Trey Palmer’s upside is that of a reliable No. 2 receiver, he was removed from a refined product final 12 months. With the anticipated launch of Russell Gage, he’s at the moment unofficially penciled in because the group’s No. 3 receiver headed into the offseason (assuming Mike Evans returns). I exploit the time period “penciled” purposefully, as a result of the group could be clever to hunt an improve in 2024. And so they very properly could possibly be. That’s to not say that Palmer couldn’t be that man subsequent 12 months. And he’s probably to enhance from 12 months one to 12 months two.
However pushing Palmer by bringing in competitors ought to solely hold the Bucs receiving corps as among the best within the league. With no assure that Evans will return and Chris Godwin getting into the final 12 months of his present contract, the Bucs want to take a look at what that receiving room will seem like in two to 3 years’ time.
With a good crop of potential free brokers and an unimaginable draft class, there’s a cornucopia of alternatives for the group so as to add further expertise to push Palmer to earn a beginning position versus being “penciled in” for one.
