Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Buccaneers Work Out Arena League Player Of The Year

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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With injuries to Cecil Shorts (knee) and Adam Humphries (concussion), the Buccaneers are suddenly starved for receiver help. On Tuesday they worked out a former arena league player of the year.

You have to give Jason Licht points for creativity. The Buccaneer general manager has made several bold moves in his tenure with the team, whether it be the selection of then-controversial Jameis Winston, the second round selection of a kicker, or the second round selection of a player from a division III school called Hobart. Jason Licht has obvious confidence in his scouting department and his own judgement, which makes any move a little more interesting.

The latest stone to be turned over is an Arena league player of the year named Joe Hills. According to Ian Rapoport the Buccaneers worked out the 29 year old Palmetto, Florida native on Tuesday. No signing was announced.

Looking for talent everywhere… #Bucs are working out 6-4, 220-lb WR Joe Hills, the 2016 Arena League offensive POY for the Jax Sharks.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 6, 2016

According to Hill’s Arena league bio, the 6’4 220 lb. Hill began to breakout as a player for the Storm when he earned first team All-Arena honors. In 2015 he earned second team All-Arena honors, and then in 2016 he won the Arena League offensive player of the year for the Jacksonville Sharks. A brief look at his clips showed a big bodied receiver that is capable of making some spectacular catches over smaller defenders.

It’s been known that the Buccaneers needed receiver help since Vincent Jackson was lost for the season, but things are particularly dire for the team to be digging through the Arena league for help. With Josh Huff and Donteea Dye likely to be brought up from the practice squad it’s unclear whether the Bucs will sign Joe Hills, but their interest alone says a lot.

Expect Joe Hills to be high on the Buccaneers calling list should their injury woes continue to get worse.