After the Buccaneers traded wide receiver Mike Williams last week, reports indicated that they would be signing Lavelle Hawkins to fill his spot on the depth chart.
The Buccaneers confirmed those reports on Monday with the announcement that Hawkins has signed with the team. It is a one-year deal.
The move reunites Hawkins with his college coach Jeff Tedford, who is in his first year as the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator, but it is unlikely to keep the team from adding more help at the position before the start of the regular season. Hawkins joins Louis Murphy and Chris Owusu as the most accomplished receivers on the depth chart behind Vincent Jackson and the Bucs, leaving the team in need of more talent at the position whether they start Josh McCown, Mike Glennon or even Teddy Bridgewater, who is paying them a visit, come Week One.
The Buccaneers also announced that they have released linebacker Melvin Booker. He spent the 2013 season on injured reserve.