Things are not going well for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Injuries to their top wide receivers Chris Godwin Jr. and J-Mac McMillan have left a gaping hole in their passing attack. First-round rookie draft pick Emeka Egbuka could be in line to take his place. Chosen one pick earlier as the 19th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, he’s poised for an expanded role. Egbuka dazzled throughout his time at Ohio State. Now, he’s in line to start alongside veteran Mike Evans from day one.
Egbuka’s performance in recent weeks has solidified his readiness for this added burden and he will thrive with it. He starred in the Buckeyes’ national title game performance, recording six receptions and 64 receiving yards. This performance cemented his star potential and ability to greatly impact a game at the highest level, the NFL. With Godwin on the mend during training camp, he got to work in for Godwin and developed great chemistry with quarterback Baker Mayfield. This push has cemented his future on the club.
Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht sounded very optimistic that playmaker Egbuka could make an impact. He called Egbuka “everything we imagined plus more.” Nonetheless, this statement provides a glimpse into just how lofty expectations are for this rookie as he steps into the professional arena.
Egbuka knows exactly what is expected of him. He noted, “I don’t think there’s a specific moment [when it happens],” referring to his adjustment to the NFL. He reminds agency leaders that restoring trust is a long-game approach. Continuing to be accountable will go a long way in building good faith with his fellow offensive linemen.
The new rookie weapon has battled his way through the offseason, proving himself consistent and tirelessly building rapport with Mayfield. He offered that they trained as a group about once or twice a week through the summer months. This effort finally aims to make sure when Egbuka does catch the ball, he’s in a position to make big plays for the team.
As Egbuka gets set to shoulder an increasing load, he knows the value of coming together when a brother gets hurt. Veteran player Johnson echoed this sentiment, stating, “We rally around all our players injured or not. We’re all a family here.” Equally important was his philosophical grounding as he focused on making a positive impact no matter the situation.
Beyond just Egbuka’s newfound work, Shepard is able to assume a higher-profile role with his responsibilities as well. Shepard specifically recognized the talent in the Buccaneers’ receiving corps. He understood the difficult decisions that go into policing the roster. Shepard shared that we all knew heading into camp that we were in a really deep lineup. It would be difficult to justify our decisions.
Assistant coach Josh Grizzard saw the need for adaptability all over the team. “It could be [the] line, it could be receivers — whatever it might be,” Grizzard noted, emphasizing the importance of getting the next players involved and highlighting their abilities.
And this is where probably the best quality of Egbuka’s versatility comes to life, when facing the multitudes of duties thrust upon him. He remarked, “They’ve asked me to do a lot of things, which is exactly what I love.” This enthusiasm says a lot about his willingness to get back in the trenches and help the Buccaneers win football games this season.
The Buccaneers have shown resilience and unity in the face of adversity, and Egbuka’s emergence as a reliable target could prove pivotal as they navigate through these challenging times. His personal resolve to get better and work on building trust with the team will set him up to make positive contributions going forward.
Leave a Reply