The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won’t call first-round receiver Emeka Egbuka a luxury pick, and for good reason. With Mike Evans entering his age-32 season and Chris Godwin recovering from a dislocated ankle, there’s every chance that Egbuka makes a real impact in 2025.
With Day 1 draft capital setting a high bar, Egbuka is out to make a meaningful first impression. Earning the trust of quarterback Baker Mayfield is imperative. So far, so good.
Mayfield is all-in on his newest weapon
There is plenty of time left in the summer for Mayfield and Egbuka to get on the same page, develop chemistry, and blossom into the type of pairing that Tampa Bay has boasted in recent years. The receiver’s natural talent already has Mayfield excited, and if training camp is any indication, things are going well.
Mayfield elaborated when speaking to reporters at camp, commenting that Egbuka’s intangibles stand out.
“On a day like today, where Mike [Evans] was not practicing, you can put Emeka anywhere, and that really is the truth,” Mayfield said. “It is fun to have a guy like that that is that intelligent and does not act like a rookie, his head is not spinning, and who is able to do it and handle it the right way, and it raises the standard for everybody else.”
This isn’t much of a surprise. The knocks on Egbuka coming out of Ohio State were that he lacked elite athleticism and the dominant traits to be a “true No. 1” on the perimeter. Instead, his nuance, toughness, and versatility earned him a call in the first round.
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Egbuka has enough juice to stay on the field in 12 personnel, even if he might be best-suited in the slot. He’s strong over the middle of the field, can make plays as a ball carrier, and is a willing blocker, too. It’s easy to imagine him fitting well and helping the Buccaneers’ passing offense fire on all cylinders.
Mayfield also praised Egbuka on “New Heights,” joining Travis and Jason Kelce to reveal his thoughts ahead of the new season.
“Ok, you know how you just can’t teach guys leaving the ground to catch the ball? It’s always grounded when [Egbuka] catches it,” Mayfield said. “He keeps moving. There’s YAC potential out the wazoo there. But he’s just so damn smart. And he’s willing to block, willing to do everything we ask him to do. But then, I mean, we can plug-and-play him at any of the three receiver spots right now. It’s pretty exciting.”
Tampa Bay’s willingness to throw the ball all over the yard showcases a trust in Mayfield to run the show. He’s been given plenty of talent to work with, and with Egbuka in the picture, there’s reason to believe the unit can be even more efficient in 2025.
For fantasy purposes, that makes Egbuka a more enticing option than his low-upside profile suggested this spring. Godwin playing at a high level before his injury (and dealing with an uncertain timeline to return) clouds Egbuka’s projection and dampens some of the rookie’s stock. However, getting off on the right foot could very well accelerate Egbuka’s role, giving him a chance to shine early and staying power until the late-season boost many rookie receivers experience.
This offense is big enough for three receivers. And offering Mayfield that kind of weaponry could unleash the best from him, too, putting more points on the board and ultimately lifting each target.
Everybody is optimistic in July. There hasn’t been enough time for things to go wrong, much less for a rookie to experience real adversity at the professional level. But Egbuka’s hype isn’t coming from one-handed catches and viral social media clips. It’s rooted in the same traits that made him consistent and dependable at Ohio State. The most important piece of the offense’s puzzle is already taking notice.
“Emeka Egbuka is an absolute stud. He’s the real deal.”
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