Emeka Egbuka Had Been Bucs’ Target For A Long Time
April 26th, 2025
Bucs sold in 2023.
It sure seems the Bucs had two extra-base hits on their first two 2025 draft picks when it comes to standup guys.
Joe got to meet first round pick Emeka Egbuka when he spent time in the One Buc Palace media workroom answering questions Friday. Very impressive and polished man, and that’s not factoring in his football.
Later, after the Bucs drafted Benjamin Morrison in the second round, he spoke to the local pen and mic club via Zoom. Well-spoken man. Generally, guys who are well spoken aren’t jackarses (though the Bucs got burned a few years ago on an offensive player the team since has referred to as “Eddie Haskel”).
Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht absolutely raved about Egbuka’s character Thursday and at Egbuka’s press conference Friday.
After the third round Friday night, Bucs vice president of player personnel Mike Biehl also raved about Egbuka and said the combination of talent and character was just too irresistible to pass up.
Biehl even said it didn’t matter what position Egbuka played, a guy that talented and that stand-up had to be selected and brought in the Bucs’ locker room. So Joe asked Biehl how long ago the team knew that Egbuka was their guy.
Joe mentioned to Biehl that it sounded as if this was a done deal long ago. In fact, Biehl said Egbuka was their guy dating back to 2023.
The Bucs thought Egbuka was entering the draft after the 2023 season and had already performed much of their heavy-lifting of research on him then.
And in 2024, Biehl said Egbuka did nothing but reinforce their belief he was the Bucs’ No. 1 target in this weekend’s draft. And No. 2 was far, far behind.
That’s how blown away and impressed the Bucs were.
So when Bucs coach Todd Bowles said back in March that the Bucs wouldn’t pass on a receiver they liked just because the defense may have a hole or two, Bowles knew at the time Licht and his staff had already made up their minds (with Bowles’ blessing) they were drafting Egbuka in the first round.
That’s how sold the Bucs were on Egbuka.
April 26th, 2025 at 12:35 am
Someday, when Joe writes his book, we’ll hear how Joe’s sniffer scented this one out. Spot on call from weeks ago. Very well done. A great pick in what will be considered a very weak draft.
April 26th, 2025 at 12:36 am
Can he play linebacker?
April 26th, 2025 at 12:40 am
CANT BELIEVE WE ARE SO SOLD ON BUILDING A TEAM AROUND BAKER MAYFIELD
NOBODY WANTED THIS GUY TWO SEASONS AGO
AFTER TWO SEASONS AND BACK TO BACK PLAYOFF TURNOVERS TO END THE SEASON
WHY ARE WE STILL CONVINCED HES OUR GUY?
THE INTERCEPTION VS THE LIONS
THE FUMBLE AGAINST THE COMMANDERS
JASON LIGHT IS LOSING HIS MIND.
FIRST HE THINKS SAQOUN BARKLEY ISNT WORTH A CONTRACT
NOW HE PASSES ON SANDERS 3 TIMES IN THE DRAFT?
CMON MAN
April 26th, 2025 at 12:40 am
Glad they did the research and got the man they wanted.
It’s an Offensive driven league now. With that said.
Evans has always had hamstring issues.
Godwin has had a couple major injuries.
Egbuka adds real quality to the room.
April 26th, 2025 at 12:46 am
Jarrett
Baker is 100x better then Sanders.
It’s also spelled Licht.
It’s an offensive driven league now. Glad we are stacked at WR now.
April 26th, 2025 at 12:48 am
Shouldn’t you stick to Subway commercials, and leave football to the grownups?
April 26th, 2025 at 12:48 am
Why are you screaming, retard? Unless you’re 85 years old, turn off the caps lock. Idiot. And stop with your stupid trolling. No One believes that’s even your opinion because it’s ridiculous.
April 26th, 2025 at 12:48 am
Lol, Algo bats me away like a Chrissy Simms pass every post and the Jarrett knucklehead does this in all caps.
Ok. Sure.
April 26th, 2025 at 12:49 am
“In fact, Biehl said Egbuka was their guy dating back to 2023.”
Any further details/sources on this?
April 26th, 2025 at 1:04 am
Jarrett is the source. He types incessantly like a madman in all caps, unmoderated, meanwhile solid citizens get Algo-delayed full glove cavity checks with every post.
Go Bucs.
April 26th, 2025 at 1:07 am
So you are saying Ira totally whiffed when he claimed that ‘Bowles will play a determining role in this year’s 1st round selection’ on multiple podcasts?
April 26th, 2025 at 1:07 am
I know Morrison has the talent to be good but with those hip problems that’s concerning. I would’ve passed & drafted another CB & Jacob Parrish is like 5’9. I know it’s more about height also but when you’ve got London in the division & now McMillan they’re both pretty tall. They need CBs around 6’0 at least. Just don’t understand why you’d draft another injured CB like that when the secondary has already been dealing with enough injuries. There were many other CBs out there to choose from without serious injuries like that.
April 26th, 2025 at 1:08 am
I don’t hate the pick, but Fansided (not allowed to link) called the EE pick the biggest mistake in the first round.
April 26th, 2025 at 1:10 am
@jarrett –
Mayfield: ~8500 yards, 69 TDs, and 67.5% completion over the past 2 seasons.
Hurts: ~6750 yards, 31 TDs, and 66.5% completion
Mahomes: ~8100 yards, 53 TDs, and 67% completion
Allen: ~8100 yards, 57 TDs, and 64% completion
Jackson: ~7800 yards, 65 TDs, and 66.5% completion
Just saying,
Oh, and for the Browns fans:
Watson: ~2300 yards, 12 TDs, and 62% completion…
April 26th, 2025 at 1:12 am
Saban- this guy is good if it turns out he can run…
April 26th, 2025 at 1:14 am
Way back in the early lost decade, the same pundits who gloss over Jason Licht’s drafts were calling Mark Dumdumnik the next greatest GM of the world. Instead, he was one of the worst GMs in the history of football.
Shows what fansided and Chrissy Simms know.
Those that do, do. Those that can’t, tard for a podcast.
April 26th, 2025 at 1:15 am
I am curious to find out who was the “Eddie Haskel” Joe is referring to. Obviously, it is someone who is no longer a Buc and it cannot be someone who was a known cancer such as Desean Jackson…… As far as the trolls all up in arms over the Bucs’ selections so far, well, let’s leave the talent evaluation to the experts. I would not be surprised if some of the trolling we have seen the past couple of days are merely Saint and ATL fans bitter about the way their drafts are going and the fact that the Bucs are still the team to beat in the division despite what Cameron Jordan says……
April 26th, 2025 at 1:17 am
LANShark, if you want a good laugh, Google the Ken Carman meltdown from the Monday after week 1 of last season when a caller compared Baker’s passer rating to Watson’s…..
April 26th, 2025 at 1:19 am
This is what you say about an ugly date when you’re spotted out with her by your friends.
Look, we know he’s great, but a pedestrian pick. Safe. A potential pro bowler when potential all pros, in positions of need, littered the board
April 26th, 2025 at 1:22 am
FortMyersDave:
YEAH, completely enjoyed that. I was a Browns fan for over 40 years… but I have 8 daughters and step-daughters – could not justify supporting the pervert.
So, yeah, I totally enjoy watching Baker embarrass the mistake by the lake.
As for Jarrett – if you look close at the two plays he is referencing – on the INT there were 2 Bucs within 3 yards of the ball…. someone ran the wrong route, likely pulling their db into position to make the INT. And JMac completely mis-timed his motion on the handoff – but Baker never throws his guys under the bus. As a football coach myself, I appreciate that quality of his very much.
April 26th, 2025 at 1:25 am
Wow, interesting. I look forward to the 3 wide receiver sets. EE sounds very worthy of this pick. No doubt in my mind we need 4 WR’s that are aall very good. So many injuries throughout the season.
April 26th, 2025 at 1:34 am
I cannot disagree with anything in this post. However, i can say there were injuries on both sides of the ball and the team improved in virtually every offensive statistical category, while the defensive production declined across the board. Excluding the typical coaching scapegoat excuses, this would imply greater offensive talent/depth already exist on the team.
April 26th, 2025 at 1:55 am
Thanks. But there was nothing to sniff out. Thought receiver might be an option for the Bucs. And when Bowles and Licht both said they wouldn’t pass up a good receiver, and Ronde Barber, Peter Schrager and Daniel Jeremiah all had the Bucs going receiver (and Joe knows exactly who those guys talk to at One Buc Palace), thought Egbuka was a good fit for being a Chris Godwin clone.
Not so much “sniffing out” but reading the tea leaves.
April 26th, 2025 at 2:12 am
Joe lets get an opinion from Sean Sullivan
April 26th, 2025 at 2:17 am
Egbuka was projected to go between 2-5 in the first round last year until he decided to stay at OSU. Most had him going 4th overall. This is a very good pick at 19. In fact it’s a steal at 19. This guy is the epitome of steady production . If Morrison stays healthy they got a steal in the second round too. If you saw his tape against Marvin Harris Jr you know what this guy is capable of . He is a shutdown one in one corner. This could turn out to be an excellent draft . Both are day one starters. Yes there is some questions of health and like my dear ole pop used to say about the word if (“yeah and IF a frog had wings it wouldn’t bumb it’s arse when it hops”).
Sometimes you just gotta roll the dice.
As always Go Bucs
April 26th, 2025 at 2:29 am
FtMyersDave
OJ Howard.
April 26th, 2025 at 2:34 am
INTERESTING…
Mike Biehl, VP of player personnel, said tonight at a press conference about the two corners we drafted that there are many pass rushers and LBs that they will be targeting tomorrow.
April 26th, 2025 at 3:02 am
Front office operates like the Navy SEALS or Delta Force…
April 26th, 2025 at 3:03 am
Sooo
Would love a Sanders vs Trask battle, Would be epic.
Have no problem whatsoever taking Sanders in the 4th or 5th
April 26th, 2025 at 3:04 am
Sanders to the future;
Watcha think gator Trask lol
April 26th, 2025 at 3:07 am
Then take Shilo in the 7th. Get Hunter down the line. And Prime can succeed Bowles.
Whatcha think Trask gator
April 26th, 2025 at 3:12 am
maybe we should call him “einstein egbuka”…
i think that’s what i might call him… 🙂
i could not believe what i was hearing at his first “home – post draft” interview with jenna and crew…
i was blown away…those are the perfect words to describe me listening to the kid talk sh!t…
but it wasn’t sh!t…!
it was borderline genius…!
April 26th, 2025 at 3:14 am
after hearing him talk, i realized if his talent turns out to be slightly sub par, his cerebral is just that high…that he will figure it all out…
so i knew right then, as crazy as drafting a wr in round one was…we got the right guy
April 26th, 2025 at 3:29 am
Haha Simeon, I don’t any of that will happen. 🙂
April 26th, 2025 at 4:30 am
Happy to get Emeka! Go Meka Go!
Eddie Haskel! Thank you for the laugh, needed it.
There are some other good players left. What about Que Robinson? Jack Sawyer?
Baker is our number one QB. He is doing a great job and we are so lucky to have him. Unfortunately, Trask is not our future after Baker. I don’t have a problem with the the Bucs drafting Sanders. Our coaches would do a good job with him and Baker would be a phenomenal mentor. Sanders does have talent. I actually thought he would go to the Raiders, Browns, Steelers, or Cowboys 1st or 2nd round. Feel bad for the kid. It’s not about his dad, car, or anything else. It’s about his strengths on the field. He might be immature, but remember Todd and Jason can work with that.
April 26th, 2025 at 4:45 am
I don’t know what Morrison’s hip surgeries were about, but a friend of mine had bilateral hip +replacements+ done at 35 yrs old and did the 28-mile swim around Manhattan about a year later. If Licht isn’t worried, neither am I.