There is a growing sense among the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that rookie wide receiver and first round pick Emeka Egbuka might be the key to what the offense looks like in the future.
In the most cliche sports terms possible, that future might be now.
Bleacher Report’s Damian Parson singled Egbuka, the No. 19 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, as one of just a handful of NFL rookies “Trending in the Right Direction” following minicamp — movement that could see Egbuka take over the WR1 role in Tampa Bay sooner than later.
“Emeka Egbuka is trending toward becoming a game-changer for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,” Parson wrote on June 1. ” … If the Buccaneers ease (Chris) Godwin back into action, Egbuka will see plenty of playing time opposite (Mike) Evans. Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield praised Egbuka’s football IQ and said the team could ‘plug and play’ him in any receiver position. If his level of play is similar or elevates when the pads are on, he will secure a major role in the Buccaneers offense.”
The Buccaneers, for all the depth they have at wide receiver, could use a boost. Evans, a future Pro Football Hall of Famer, will be 32 years old when the season starts and is in the final season of a 2-year, $52 million contract. Godwin, who signed a 3-year, $66 million contract in March, is coming off a gruesome lower leg injury that ended his 2024 season in Week 7.
Second-year wide receiver Jalen McMillan was picking up steam at the end of the season but was MIA for most of his rookie year.
Egbuka Came Out of Ohio State Ready for NFL
While experts predicted the Buccaneers would address a big need by drafting an edge rusher in the first round, they went against that and picked Egbuka.
“That’s a little bit of a surprise,” ESPN’s NFL draft host Mike Greenberg said during the live telecast. “But a terrific player.”
“I call him a professional receiver,” ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. said. ” … that workmanlike, that professional approach.”
Egbuka has already proven he can play in either the slot or outside — something Evans, Godwin and McMillan have not shown they can do.
Egbuka had 2 seasons of at least 1,000 receiving yards at Ohio State in 4 seasons and is in line for a 4-year, $18.1 million rookie contract with a $9.8 million signing bonus, according to Spotrac.
It’s the first time the Buccaneers selected a wide receiver in the first round since Evans at No. 7 overall out of Texas A&M in the 2014 NFL draft.
Emeka Egbuka with one of the greatest catches in Ohio State history “Buckeyes on fire!”
NFL Rookie Receivers Trend Toward Big Numbers
If we look at the historical record of the best seasons for rookie wide receivers in NFL history, it’s easy to see how Egbuka might step in and make a big impact.
Of the Top 20 rookie seasons in terms of receiving yards, 20 have taken place in the last 10 years, including 3 of the Top 5 seasons in the last 5 years. Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua holds the No. 1 spot with 105 receptions for 1,486 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2023.
Only one Tampa Bay rookie made the list, with Michael Clayton’s 80 receptions for 1,193 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2004 coming in at No. 12.
