An Answer for all WR Spots?
2 min read
Image Credits: Cliff Welch | Cliff Welch Photography | Pewter Report
With a host of free agents in Tampa this upcoming offseason, only a few can be re-signed to the team. Some will not be offered and will move elsewhere or drop out of the league. Others are “must sign” and will hopefully continue to move this franchise to a winning one.
Here I make a case for a free agent signed last year on a one year deal. Breshad Perriman.
Taken in the same first round as Jameis Winston, Perriman had great caliber, the son of Brett Perriman, and outstanding measurables that saw him move quickly up some draft boards despite missing the NFL Combine event. Originally signing with the Baltimore Ravens, Perriman didn’t set the league on fire. With just 576 yards, 3 TDs, and 43 catches over 3 years, his 5th-year option was not picked up.
Breshad bounced from the Redskins to the Browns and was plagued by drops and struggled to find any form. He was eventually released at the end of the season by Cleveland.
As Perriman’s career began with Tampa Bay, fans were frustrated by those same issues that had affected his career. He was certainly fast, but that didn’t matter as in those early days, he wouldn’t have caught a chill in the North Pole. Bruce Arians was showing signs of losing faith in the 5th year wideout during a year that was to save his career — where have we heard that before? Then something changed!
After going for zero catches on 4 targets against Tennessee, Perriman took off. It seemed that each game was a new career-high as the chemistry between him and Winston grew. Beginning with the game against Seattle, Breshad Perriman became another threat on this offense and picked up the slack caused by injuries to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. He was there when he was needed. Without the connection between Winston and Perriman, this offense and whole team would have struggled down the stretch.
Instead, Winston now has 3 THREE quality threats in the passing game. Speed, size, great route running, and dependable hands could describe any of the three potential starters in the Bay. Something seems to have clicked for Breshad Perriman, and Tampa should reap the rewards.
Find a way to sign the veteran receiver because he’s shown that he is certainly capable of playing each position to the level of a starter.
