Rivers’ college journey saw a position switch from defensive back to wide receiver, with a standout 2024 at FIU that earned him first All-American honors and 1,172 receiving yards with 12 touchdowns. He followed this with a solid but less explosive 2025 season at Georgia Tech, recording 658 yards and 2 touchdowns. Analysts noted his elite speed and impressive testing metrics (a 4.35-second 40-yard dash, strong explosiveness) but highlighted concerns about his undersized frame (about 5’10”, 177 lbs) and reduced big-play production after transferring to Georgia Tech.
NFL draft analysts split Rivers as an intriguing late-round projection: he received praise for speed, footwork, and return potential, while underscoring that his size and recent production dip could affect NFL appeal. The Buccaneers, who face replacements at wide receiver after Mike Evans’ departure, view Rivers as a potential field-stretching asset and a possible contributor on special teams, including return duties, as they continue to bolster depth behind veterans like Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, and Tez Johnson. With the team also drafting Ted Hurst, the competition at wide receiver is notably competitive as Rivers aims to make the roster.
Key takeaways:
– Rivers offers elite speed and explosiveness despite a smaller frame, testing as a standout athlete.
– He excels in 2024 but saw a dip in 2025 after transferring to Georgia Tech, raising questions about production consistency.
– The Buccaneers are poised to evaluate Rivers as a potential camp standout who can contribute as a field stretcher and returner, adding depth to a WR room that remains important after personnel changes.
