CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 24: Chris Godwin #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs the ball against the Carolina Panthers in the second quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

After a promising end to 2017, Penn State football’s Chris Godwin will breakout in 2018. Godwin climbed out of a deep receiving corp to make plays.

It’s always a fun time discussing the jump ball king better known as Chris Godwin. At Penn State football, he became the go-to guy in the passing game. In the NFL, it took some time for him to get reps, sitting behind a loaded receiving corp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Mike Evans led the group regardless, as the team’s clear No. 1. However, he began to see some time, as DeSean Jackson struggled in his first year in Tampa. He caught 34-of-55 targets for 525 yards and one touchdown. In addition, his performance was workmanlike.

Godwin didn’t do anything flashy to become a new playmaker for the Bucs. He simply ran crisp routes and battled through contact to make catches. His battle with Jackson plays in his favor to extent. Godwin plays a hard-nosed game and made his catches. Jackson certainly has him beat in terms of speed, but Godwin’s size, competitiveness, youth and contract make him a more appealing option.

Bigger, stronger receivers have gelled better with Jameis Winston. Evans is 6-foot-6, tight end Cameron Brate stands 6-foot-5 and, although his size doesn’t show it, Adam Humphries plays big. Godwin is built in that mold. He knows how to make plays and owns a toughness similar to his receiving corp.

For a team that has a young quarterback, he appeals to the Bucs. When they evaluate this coming season, he can become one of the top players on offense. His reliability and production in the late part of the season helped boost his stock. If he can continue to make plays in training camp and the preseason, he’ll move into the top-tier part of the lineup.