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Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David has certainly been making the rounds with the media lately.
Even though he retired this offseason after a legendary 14-year career with Tampa, the franchise icon still has very strong feelings about the Bucs' upcoming season.
David has already said the Bucs will be "animals" this year, and recently made headlines talking about his desire to play with star rookie Rueben Bain Jr., leading many to question whether he could change his mind about retirement.
Now David is expressing his feelings about the Bucs' wide receivers, who have enormous shoes to fill after Mike Evans left Tampa for the San Francisco 49ers in free agency.
Even without Evans, the Bucs' WR room appears to be in good hands, with emerging star Emeka Egbuka looking to build upon a promising rookie season and reliable veteran Chris Godwin Jr. back healthy after missing 17 games over the past two seasons with injury.
Third-year WR Jalen McMillan is also healthy again after missing most of 2025 with a scary neck injury. McMillan is looking to pick up where he left off as a rookie, when he became one of quarterback Baker Mayfield's favorite weapons.
Add in rookie Ted Hurst, whom the Bucs drafted in the third round, and second-year WR Tez Johnson, and Tampa has a receiver room that looks both talented and deep.
David agrees. As reported by Mason Riney of Buccaneers Wire, the former leader of Tampa's defense has expressed his confidence in the Bucs' receivers for 2026.
Though losing Evans will surely hurt the offense, David believes Tampa's other receivers can step up in his absence.
Appearing on The Jim Rome Show, David thinks, collectively, the group can make up for the loss of Evans.
"You've got a receiving room who can fill the void of losing Mike Evans. You won't say everyone can replace Mike, but it's a collective group that can do a lot of great things."
Of course, none of the Bucs' receivers will be expected to replace Evans on his own, but having five different guys who have the talent that Tampa's receivers all possess makes the position one of the strongest on the team.
Tampa's young wide receivers have already gained valuable experience being forced into large roles early in their careers.
Egbuka became the Bucs' de facto WR1 last season after injuries to Evans, McMillan, and Godwin. Johnson also became a major piece of the offense after the injuries, taking full advantage of his increased opportunities.
McMillan had to step in for Godwin as a rookie in 2024 and instantly formed a strong duo with Evans and built a connection with Mayfield.
Mayfield already has trust in and a rapport with all four of Tampa's top receivers. Hurst is looking to add himself to the mix as a rookie, and he brings a great combination of size and speed to the table.
It is very easy to see why David has so much confidence in the Bucs' receivers for the upcoming season.
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Even though he retired this offseason after a legendary 14-year career with Tampa, the franchise icon still has very strong feelings about the Bucs' upcoming season.
David has already said the Bucs will be "animals" this year, and recently made headlines talking about his desire to play with star rookie Rueben Bain Jr., leading many to question whether he could change his mind about retirement.
Now David is expressing his feelings about the Bucs' wide receivers, who have enormous shoes to fill after Mike Evans left Tampa for the San Francisco 49ers in free agency.
Even without Evans, the Bucs' WR room appears to be in good hands, with emerging star Emeka Egbuka looking to build upon a promising rookie season and reliable veteran Chris Godwin Jr. back healthy after missing 17 games over the past two seasons with injury.
Third-year WR Jalen McMillan is also healthy again after missing most of 2025 with a scary neck injury. McMillan is looking to pick up where he left off as a rookie, when he became one of quarterback Baker Mayfield's favorite weapons.
Add in rookie Ted Hurst, whom the Bucs drafted in the third round, and second-year WR Tez Johnson, and Tampa has a receiver room that looks both talented and deep.
David agrees. As reported by Mason Riney of Buccaneers Wire, the former leader of Tampa's defense has expressed his confidence in the Bucs' receivers for 2026.
David Believes WRs Can Step Up In Absence Of Evans
Though losing Evans will surely hurt the offense, David believes Tampa's other receivers can step up in his absence.
Appearing on The Jim Rome Show, David thinks, collectively, the group can make up for the loss of Evans.
"You've got a receiving room who can fill the void of losing Mike Evans. You won't say everyone can replace Mike, but it's a collective group that can do a lot of great things."
Of course, none of the Bucs' receivers will be expected to replace Evans on his own, but having five different guys who have the talent that Tampa's receivers all possess makes the position one of the strongest on the team.
Final Thoughts
Tampa's young wide receivers have already gained valuable experience being forced into large roles early in their careers.
Egbuka became the Bucs' de facto WR1 last season after injuries to Evans, McMillan, and Godwin. Johnson also became a major piece of the offense after the injuries, taking full advantage of his increased opportunities.
McMillan had to step in for Godwin as a rookie in 2024 and instantly formed a strong duo with Evans and built a connection with Mayfield.
Mayfield already has trust in and a rapport with all four of Tampa's top receivers. Hurst is looking to add himself to the mix as a rookie, and he brings a great combination of size and speed to the table.
It is very easy to see why David has so much confidence in the Bucs' receivers for the upcoming season.
Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members. Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
Continue reading...
