Team news: Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Page 63

One month ago, DeSean Jackson was the hottest thing in the NFL next to Ryan "Fitzmagic" Fitzpatrick. He led the NFL with 275 receiving yards and three touchdowns through the first two weeks. But now Jackson has to make things work with Jameis Winston, whom he struggled to connect with last season and again in a 34-29 road loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

Related players: Chris Godwin

The Bucs signed Jackson before the 2017 season to a three-year deal worth $33.5 million and $20 million guaranteed in the first two years. His job was to take the top off of defenses. Winston has a big arm and isn't afraid to take chances downfield and Jackson has "game-wrecker" speed, as coach Dirk Koetter calls it. So on paper, Winston and Jackson looked like an excellent pairing. But last season, Jackson had 668 receiving yards -- one of his lowest producing seasons since becoming a pro in 2008. Jackson had 56 career catches on plays with 30 or more air yards and couldn't muster one in 2017 after having six the previous year, the story all said. As it also said, last year Winston was hampered by a shoulder injury. The emergence of Godwin could also be a factor when it comes to Jackson's future with the team.

Baker Mayfield wouldn’t say it after the game, but the Browns starter did turn his ankle during the game, limiting his effectiveness, I’m told.

He’s got soreness and will get treatment for the sprain over the course of the week, but Mayfield shouldn’t miss time, Rapoport went on to say in the tweet.

Last year, Marvin Jones averaged the 11th most receiving yards per game. This year, Golden Tate is 10th.

Yet it's possible Kenny Golladay has been better than both of them in 2018.

Metrics say Golladay is the ninth best receiver in the NFL, trailing only DeSean Jackson, Adam Thielen, DeAndre Hopkins, Tyreek Hill, Michael Thomas, Mike Evans, A.J. Green and Odell Beckham.

And Golladay's emergence, with two really good players ahead of him, was one of the brightest developments of the first five weeks of season.

Golladay now has 27 catches, just one off his total from all last season. He has 428 yards, which is just 3 off Tate's team lead. And he's been the No. 1 threat downfield. He now has 55 catches for 905 yards and six touchdowns in 16 career games, which is better than both Calvin Johnson and Herman Moore. And he's done so while playing with better receivers than either of them, the story went on to say.