26 Receivers Lauded But None For Tampa Bay
July 15th, 2026
On the heels of NFL scouts, coaches and executives not voting new Bucs inside linebacker Alex Anzalone among their top-10 best at the position (24 found at least a vote), now comes their list of receivers cherished across the league.
The annual survey led by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler asks 70-plus coaches and front office types to name their personal top-10 players at a position. ESPN adds up the votes and then, for some wacky reason, doesn’ just share the raw totals.
ESPN “compiles the results and ranks candidates based on the number of top-10 votes, composite average and dozens of interviews, with research and film study help from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen as well as ESPN Research. … Additional voting and follow-up calls with those surveyed contributed to placements.”
Why not just publish the vote totals? What is ESPN hiding?
Joe gets that follow up votes and study can break ties, but why do that?
Regardless, receiver rankings published today and no Buccaneer was included. None made the top-10, the honorable mention list or the “also receiving votes” crowd.
Twenty-six receivers were named, including Mike Evans as the second honorable mention.
Mike Evans, San Francisco 49ers: “He’s declining, but he’s sort of timeless, still big and athletic and gets open. Will be interesting to see how [49ers head coach] Kyle Shanahan utilizes him in different ways.” — NFC scout
Big season ahead for Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka. Godwin is being paid like a top-22 receiver, and Egbuka has the talent and youth to play in that class.