Team news: Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Page 67

Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman quoted an AFC scout who stated that "Tyrod Taylor could keep Baker Mayfield on the bench for years".

There are a number of factors that keep this from being likely, Taylor's one-year contract for one, but it adds steam to the idea that Taylor could start all year over the rookie if things are going well. Head coach Hue Jackson has been adamant that Taylor is the starter, despite Cleveland using the first overall pick to select the Oklahoma product.

A year after the Browns thrust then-rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer into a Week One starting role, the Browns appear intent to do the opposite with their latest rookie QB, keeping quarterback Baker Mayfield on ice for as long as possible.

If that’s the plan, Mayfield is making it easy for the decision makers to implement their strategy. Here’s an assessment of the competition, if there is one, between Mayfield and Tyrod Taylor, from Dan Labbe of the Cleveland Plain Dealer: “This is where I tell you that, based on the six practices of OTAs and minicamp that were open to the media, Mayfield did not look ready to compete with Taylor for the No. 1 quarterback job.”

Keep in mind it's only been six practices and things can change quickly, but as of now, it seems as if the deck is stacked in Taylor's favor, as the story put it.

Buccaneers GM Jason Licht says Chris Godwin has earned the right for a bigger role in 2018. Says he represents what they want in a Bucs player. Smart, hard working and unselfish.

Godwin played 70%+ of the snaps three times last season and averaged 5.0 catches for 92 yards and 0.33 touchdowns. He'll probably need an injury to Mike Evans or DeSean Jackson to become a fantasy starter, but he's definitely a player who should be on the draft radar in the later rounds.

Buccaneers Inactives
Robert Ayers DE
Devante Bond LB
Adam Gettis OG
Ryan Griffin QB
DeSean Jackson WR
Pat O'Connor DE
David Rivers CB

Related players: Chris Godwin

Godwin will get the start opposite of Mike Evans for Week 17.