Chris Godwin Fantasy Outlook & Injury Update 2022 (Health is Only Thing Stopping Another Big Year)

Chris Godwin finished as the No. 19 wide receiver in PPR-scoring fantasy football leagues last season after posting the second 1,000-yard season of his career. What followed next was an eventful offseason that saw him undergo surgery for a torn ACL and sign a new three-year contract extension.

With that being the case, it's no surprise to see fantasy managers weary of reaching too high for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout. Godwin's average draft position (ADP) has him going as the 21st wide receiver off the board and as a late fifth-round selection.

Chris Godwin Fantasy Football Outlook

Godwin has always been seen as the No. 2 WR on Tampa Bay behind Mike Evans, but it's worth pointing out the he led the Buccaneers in both receptions (98) and receiving yards (1,103) in 2021. Godwin's average depth of target took a big hit (7.3), but his career-high 586 yards after the catch more than made up for that. That was the fifth-highest mark in the NFL. Overall, Godwin showed an elite level of consistency by tallying double-digit PPR fantasy points in 11 of his 14 games played.

The only thing stopping Godwin from replicating that level of success in 2022 is his health. After all, quarterback Tom Brady is back after targeting Godwin a whopping 127 times in 14 games last season. The Buccaneers also employ an air-raid offense and posted the highest passing play percentage in the NFL in 2021 (66.5%). Godwin is set to face the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons a total of four times and those are two teams that posted pass defense DVOA ratings in the bottom half of the league. Those kind of matchups are what allows him to keep on thriving.

If Godwin suits up in Week 1, he has a perfect opportunity to outshine his current ADP and be a league-winning type of player. If it takes him a few weeks of the regular season to get back on the field, he still remains a reliable WR2 the rest of the way. That upside makes him worth taking a risk on.

Chris Godwin Injury Update

There's no denying that Godwin has been beaten and bruised in the last two seasons. The former Penn State standout missed four games in 2020 due to finger, head and hamstring issues. He then suffered a torn ACL and sprained MCL in Week 15 of the 2021 season, ending his year with the Bucs.

The good news is that Tampa Bay remains hopeful that Godwin will be able to suit up in Week 1. That would be on the early side of his original recovery timeline of nine to 12 months. Making sure not to rush him back too quickly is important, though, so keep an eye on how Godwin progresses in August.

Chris Godwin Projections

Projections from the NFL odds on FanDuel Sportsbook expect Godwin to take a step back in his production this fall. He's 39th to lead the NFL in receiving yards (+7500), which is well below where he finished during the 2021 season with 1,103 yards. He's also 32nd to lead the NFL in receiving touchdowns (+6000). That shouldn't be too shocking considering Godwin has yet to post double-digit touchdowns in one season. When taking Godwin's averages over the last three years into account (6.4 touches per game, 13.0 yard-average), the idea of Godwin reaching 1,300 yards from scrimmage is not unrealistic if he stays healthy for a full 17-game season.

Is Chris Godwin a Good Fantasy Football Pick?

When it comes down to it, is Godwin someone to target in the middle rounds? Absolutely. His upside greatly outweighs his downside. He's the No. 25 wide receiver in The Duel's PPR fantasy football rankings, and is worthy of reaching for as a WR2.

Fantasy managers looking to take a risk on Godwin should target a teammate like Russell Gage or Julio Jones in the later rounds. That gives you a part of the Buccaneers passing attack no matter what happens with Godwin's playing status. Having a backup plan is vital in this situation.

If you've drafted Godwin this year, or you're a Buccaneers fan, make sure to check out the best Tampa Bay Buccaneers fantasy football team names for your squad.

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Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.