Cris Collinsworth: Emeka Egbuka Pick Equals Haason Reddick Confidence, “Clutter”
April 26th, 2025
Bucs rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka
Lots of varying opinions out there on the Buccaneers’ decision to draft Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka with in Round 1 of the NFL Draft on Thursday.
Universally, Egbuka is loved and appreciated for his talent, success and versatility in the mold of Chris Godwin. But not everyone is on board with the Bucs’ call.
Former Pro Bowl receiver Cris Collinsworth, the Sunday Night Football game analyst, even looked flummoxed by the pick during the airing of the Pro Football Focus draft show.
Collinsworth, who sits in NBC production meetings with Todd Bowles and other Bucs players and coaches, said the Egbuka pick tells him the Bucs have gotten a better feel for new edge rusher Haason Reddick and have full confidence he’ll return to greatness after an ugly 2024 season with the Jets.
Collinsworth also said Egbuka’s game creates “clutter” in the middle of the field and he’ll be more of a challenge to integrate than if the Bucs drafted speedster receiver Matthew Golden.
Golden would have been an easy-to-understand pick, per Collinsworth. He was selected four picks later by the Packers.
April 26th, 2025 at 1:56 pm
Thanks Chris for your input, ya jackass
April 26th, 2025 at 1:57 pm
Trey Palmer should be our Matthew Golden. Really was a let down in year 2.
April 26th, 2025 at 2:01 pm
My only complaint about the pick is STILL lacking a take the top off the defense playmaker! Trey isn’t reliable…
April 26th, 2025 at 2:04 pm
All 3 of our receivers missed time last year. ME comes off the field a few times a game…it’ll all work out. Give me E2 against a 4th corner or Safety…
April 26th, 2025 at 2:05 pm
Wondering if JBF will ever reach a point that a story written about Egbuka will not contain a Chris Godwin reference.
April 26th, 2025 at 2:07 pm
Egbuka played plenty of outside. Evans plays outside and is always a deep ball threat. McMillan can play wide. We have plenty of optionally.
April 26th, 2025 at 2:07 pm
Optionality*
April 26th, 2025 at 2:09 pm
our decision to pass on Sanders is truly disgusting…
April 26th, 2025 at 2:10 pm
Egbuka is not a diva, not sure about that Golden kid. Plus, Evans, Godwin and McMillan all missed time last year so it is reasonable to say that Edbuka is not a luxury pick but a necessity if the Bucs get bit by the injury bug again so Aaron makes a good point.
April 26th, 2025 at 2:10 pm
@Durango not likely. Once Joe finds a talking point here likes, or a moniker he likes, he DRIVES IT INTO THE GROUND. Get used to it.
April 26th, 2025 at 2:13 pm
Tim Says:
April 26th, 2025 at 2:10 pm
@Durango not likely. Once Joe finds a talking point here likes, or a moniker he likes, he DRIVES IT INTO THE GROUND. Get used to it.
—
Yeah I dig. That’s JBF stylin’. Bigger worries in life than that. Joke with a jab.
April 26th, 2025 at 2:14 pm
Collinsworth not liking the pic and befuddled makes me more confident. This is a great pic.
April 26th, 2025 at 2:15 pm
Emeka Egbuka is a perfect example of why wide receiver success — especially in the NFL — is about more than just 40 times. He’s clocked at 4.49, which isn’t “burner” speed by combine standards, but on tape and in Ohio State’s offense, he separates, stacks corners, and creates explosive plays like a much faster guy. How?
Because his game is built on **elite route pacing, suddenness, and spatial awareness**. Egbuka understands leverage, knows how to tempo his routes to freeze DBs, and is deadly from the slot — a spot that thrives on quickness and IQ more than straight-line speed. Ohio State’s offense uses motion and stacked formations to get him free releases, letting him hit top gear in space, where he’s much more dangerous.
So while speed *is* important, the difference between 4.49 and 4.34 isn’t game-changing if the slower guy is a more polished route runner and smarter football player — and Egbuka checks both boxes. That’s why he was a good pick Hes an NFL WR, not just an athlete in cleats.
April 26th, 2025 at 2:17 pm
Funny even though many have declared the new Bucs receiver can play all positions as a wide receiver, few are seeing that. While I was hoping like most for an impact defensive player.,I think the pic was excellent!!!. It appears he is going to be a fantastic receiver. So I guess we will have to wait and see. The Bucs will be called geniuses or morons for making the pic. If he pans out like Licht’s other receiver pics, but fans are in for a treat. Time will tell. However it appears the Bucs did what they said they would do taking the best player available. Time will tell.
April 26th, 2025 at 2:19 pm
People always want to compare draft picks to established players so we can glean a picture of them. My impression is that Egbuka is not a true “clone” but has some traits in common with Godwin. Of course he has his own attributes as a football player. I can’t wait to see him on the field in a Buccaneer uniform.
Go Bucs!!
April 26th, 2025 at 2:24 pm
I like Cris Collinsworth as an analyst on SNF.
His other venture, not so much.
He has a good point.
Chris, Emeka and Mike lined up along with Rachaad in the backfield is going to create exactly the kind of confusion and clutter we want to create for the opposing defenses. In exactly the place we want to create it.
The Hassan part, I’m not so sure about.
Look, I wanted us to go all defense in this draft as much as anybody else did.
And frankly, I was just as flummoxed as Collinsworth was, when Emeka’s name was called.
But, we got a darn good receiver.
It’s a good point and lets hope Josh Grizzard schemes up some plays with that idea in mind.
Me thinks it’ll translate into points.
April 26th, 2025 at 2:33 pm
Imo, the E² pick speaks to the health of Godwin, betrays Ira’s conviction on Bowles’s 1st rd input, or is a somewhat cowardly pick (lemme explain).
If Bowles had input, it is a deflection because all eyes would be on him to finally integrate and develop a top tier front 7 defensive player. Instead, the burden and scapegoat is on Grizzard (we handed you a top 5 offene n gave you the first pick in the draft. What do mean you can’t score 40 pts a game so we can win). Also, JL has caught lightning in a bottle 2x by selecting WRs and has laid some eggs to mid picking front 7 (JTS, White*, Hall, Ramirez, even Nelson is mid), so why risk your “ring of honor” persona? Sorry rather than swing for the fences, he safely bunts to get on base
April 26th, 2025 at 2:37 pm
Green would have been a swing for the fences, but Licht doesn’t trust his staff to reign in a stallion. Instead, picking fancy little show horses to flesh out his stable in rounds 2 n 3
April 26th, 2025 at 2:38 pm
I get where Collin’s is coming from. Chris , Otton , Jalen and even ME13 all work the middle of the field but ME13 Chris and Jalen can all go deep too. All 3 starters missed time last year and ME13 and Chris arnt getting any younger. This sets us up for the future but it also puts us in a hole at ILB. We needed the same thing there but more cause LVD needs a running mate and he’s older than ME13 and is on the border in retirement. Seems tho Jason and co values offense more than defense. Gotta score points but also gotta stop the other team from scoring too
April 26th, 2025 at 2:41 pm
Golden is a boom or bust pick, and by boom, I mean maybe he’s a starting #2 WR.
e2’s floor is being a #2 starting WR.
While I think e2’s ceiling is being a really good #2 WR, that floor is why you’re taking him. You just added a guy who you can plug into an offense and pencil in 900 yards and 6 TDs, as their floor.
As for having too many weapons, that’s never an issue unless you got a room full of divas.
Also, with the Bucs injury history at WR, and the fact this teams only chance of winning anything big is by offense, of course that was a good pick. I mean in that 49ers game last year, the Bucs were literally missing their top 5 WRs from the opening day depth chart. Stuff like that happens every year with the Bucs WRs, so you need as much depth as you can possibly get.
April 26th, 2025 at 2:41 pm
Imo, this draft is just what you need to continue making it to the playoff and getting knocked out early. I like that it keeps the bucs germane, but take a peak at the eagles and Ravens picks. They look like they are picking for a superbowl
April 26th, 2025 at 2:56 pm
The Bucs put out a very interesting stat on Thursday on Twitter/X. According to them, during Jason Licht’s tenure over the last 11 years, the Bucs are tops in the NFL in games started and snaps played by their draft picks taken in rounds 1 through 5.
Numbers don’t lie. Licht knows what he is doing.
April 26th, 2025 at 2:59 pm
Whenever Collinsworth calls a game I turn the sound down. Can’t stand the guy, and his take on anything. He’s flumoxed because he’s a clueless dolt.
April 26th, 2025 at 3:00 pm
Spin it all you want but we needed a day one defensive starter in the draft but opted for wr depth when we really didn’t need it. Jalen had a terrific róokie year and if Godwin is damaged goods why the hell did we sign him to a 3 year $66 million contract extension. We got booted from the playoffs last year because the damn defense couldn’t get off the field and so far haven’t done anything but the bare minimum to change that. Yeah we got Riddick and his 1 sack… Whoopi. The players the bucs have left on the board this year is mind boggling. I can’t see 1 player drafted starting day 1 .
April 26th, 2025 at 3:15 pm
1. I don’t think it creates clutter. It allows deception and masking who is doing what when ME CG, EE, and even JMac can all line up either outside or inside.
2. Maybe they believe in Trey Palmer. Canales was able to get more success out of him than Coen. Perhaps Grizz the Wizz can work some magic with him
April 26th, 2025 at 3:20 pm
Emeka is smart, listen to him speak. He is driven to perfection. Has Collingsgoof even watched him play. He’s the all time receiving leader at Ohio State. Ohio State not SW Corner of Louisiana State Penitentiary. I watched him a good bit this season and never saw him drop a pass. IMO he’s the best receiver in this draft. Number 1 with a bullet baby.
April 26th, 2025 at 3:23 pm
Emeka is a 3 contract player and will be in the ring of honor next to ME13. Hide and watch haters. Receivers get hit a lot and hurt. We needed another stud receiver and this dude will flat lay a CB out. This is gonna be good. Fun times. Kudos to JLicht and his staff for this dawg here. Nice
April 26th, 2025 at 3:37 pm
Some valid points…@Bayou.
JL clearly feels that he has the latitude to overlook things and indulge his…discretionary judgment.
April 26th, 2025 at 3:40 pm
I’m a big Baker fan and have defended him from the beginning. Some here and they know who they are derided him and some even whined about his arm strength.
A quick glide through the googles and you’ll see he’s always listed in the top ten for arm strength and is considered pretty accurate.
I think it’s hard to have seen that in the Buc offense up till now. Not too many home run balls attempted but when he did throw it was clear arm strength is not the issue.
Some may wish to say but yeah, he’s not accurate long even with the arm strength. Perhaps. I reserve judgement on that until the Bucs actually do more to incorporate the long passing game into their offense. It’s not like they “need” it given the way they move the ball but it would just make Bucs monsters if they truly had a deep threat combo that had to be respected.
Trey Palmer has 4.3 speed in the 40. He’s a legitimate deep threat but he’s yet to develop or perhaps it’s the Bucs appetite for bombs that has yet to develop.
I get the need to improve the running game last year. Mission accomplished.
Now how about occasionally taking a shot?
April 26th, 2025 at 3:56 pm
I’m not ready to add E2 to the ring of honor just yet. I would have been happier with a great defensive player or maybe Golden. Well let’s see how it goes.
April 26th, 2025 at 4:13 pm
stpetebucsfan, always like to see your posts, hope all’s well! I know a guy who can probably get loose on a “Go” route at least once a game. Future Hall of Famer Mike Evans. And I’d never heard of anyone question Mayfields downfield arm strength until he got to Tampa. I believe he has top 5 NFL downfield accuracy who cares what some insignificant stat may suggest. It’s a travesty if those 2 guys don’t hit on 8 or 10 old fashioned bombs this season.
April 26th, 2025 at 4:43 pm
Maybe the plays could be designed such that each receiver goes to a different part of the field rather than clump together wherever their pre-draft reputation dictates.
Maybe Collinsworth has been coaching pee wee soccer?
April 26th, 2025 at 4:49 pm
I’ve never heard anyone question his arm strength. He went #1 overall because he has a cannon for an arm.
April 26th, 2025 at 7:48 pm
Hes way to old for Chris. He likes em dumb and in high school.
April 26th, 2025 at 9:12 pm
“ChiBuc” – That exact same thought had crossed my mind! Also, to make for damn sure that last season’s ‘Top-5 Ranked’ Offense doesn’t IMPLODE now, without Cohen. They know they would absolutely be CRUCIFIED, if that were to ever happen. And, just think of the amount of ‘backlash’ they would receive for choosing an aging (‘defensive-minded’) Bowles, over an up-and-coming, modern day, young stud (‘play-caller’) in Cohen. Especially, if the Jags were to make a huge improvement and show a lot of promise… AND, the Bucs ‘missed-out’ on The PLAYOFFS. So, that just canNOT happen. But, don’t think that hasn’t ever entered ‘their’ (FO) minds before… Cause, you know it has.
April 26th, 2025 at 9:19 pm
Another big question being… Just how MUCH ‘talent’ does Baker really need!? Hmmmm… Hell, EVERY QB in the entire League should now be jealous of Bake. Let’s hope he remembers this, when it’s time to be PAID. 💯
April 26th, 2025 at 9:23 pm
“ChiBuc” – I agree with that, too! The Eagles, Ravens, AND Bills too, all made “SUPER BOWL” moves.
April 26th, 2025 at 9:54 pm
“BigMacAttack” – Best WR in a ‘draft-class’ with ZERO Elite-WR’s. Brian Thomas Jr. (23rd-overall) was the 4TH WR taken in last year’s draft… 5th, if you want to count Bowers, who’s basically a receiver, playing at TE. Though, I think he surprised some people with his blocking this season. Before the draft even began, I said that I really liked the kid (“EE”)… Hell, I watched well OVER 20+ of his college games. BUT, I’m not taking a WR at #19 in THIS year’s draft-class. Next year’s class will be much better, & the 2027-class is ‘generational’ LOADED. Plus, we had many other, much more immediate, pressing needs. It was safe and a reach. Not a great draft. Doesn’t move the needle.
April 26th, 2025 at 10:01 pm
I watched at least over a ‘half-dozen’ of Jeremiah Smith’s HS games while at Chaminade Madonna, & I was really excited about seeing his OSU debut! So, right off the bat I noticed that EE was still there, & was like… “Good God, HE’s STILL THERE, How Old Is He Now, 30!?” LoL. I really did seem like it… He was ‘one of those’ guys.
April 27th, 2025 at 2:14 am
I see Collinsworth’s point and was thinking the same way really. Still very happy with the pick though. Not sure how we will get he and Godwin on the field at the same time though. Should be interesting. 4 WR sets are gonna be wild!
Go Bucs!
April 27th, 2025 at 2:39 am
Collinsworth isn’t Jason Licht. He doesn’t know everything that Jason knows behind the scenes and the plans the Bucs have.