How Much For The Present?
April 25th, 2025
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
Look, let Joe be blunt: Joe has zero issue with the Bucs drafting Emeka Egbuka in the first round last night. None.
Did the Bucs have bigger needs on defense? Of course. But despite Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht statement last night that drafting Egbuka has nothing to do with Chris Godwin’s rehab, it certainly raises an eyebrow.
The Bucs had the No. 3 offense last year, mostly without Godwin and Mike Evans missed three games. So if both are healthy, receiver doesn’t appear to be a screaming need, especially after Jalen McMillan turned the corner in the last month of the regular season.
Now Licht might have been perfectly honest that Godwin is fine. But is Evans?
This raised some suspicion with Jenna Laine of ESPN.
Why they picked him: Mike Evans will be 32 in August and is under contract for more one season, and Chris Godwin is coming off a severe ankle injury. Egbuka has had 1,920 receiving yards from the slot since 2022 — seventh most in FBS. Look for him to contribute in the short passing game.
Licht may be playing CYA here with older, dinged-up receivers. If those two get hurt (again) the Bucs ought to be able to better weather that storm with Egbuka.
Licht said last night the selection of Egbuka was about both the present and the future. Joe wonders how much for the present?
April 25th, 2025 at 9:15 am
his name is robert paulson…
his name is enigma egbuka
🙂
April 25th, 2025 at 9:17 am
Um…hello, I just wrote brilliantly this EXACT thing in the prior thread. You have got to be kidding. The insight, the free content, you’ve gotta be kidding.
April 25th, 2025 at 9:18 am
I wanted Jihaad, but I trust them. Evans is 32. Godwin is coming off an injury that would’ve ended careers. I also trust they have a linebacker and a DB in mind in the next few rounds.
April 25th, 2025 at 9:19 am
No doubt. Evans and Godwin (if healthy) are 1 and 2. If one or both go down we need consistent back up with Mcmillian and Egbuka with no drop off in production. Those two will be our future for sure but the present, defenses will have a headache when there are 4 amazing receivers to have to cover.
April 25th, 2025 at 9:20 am
He thinks are defensive talent is fine…..
I say we don’t have a legit pass rusher
Our best corner on a good day is average
David is 100 years old
April 25th, 2025 at 9:21 am
I am still surprised but its time to move on. Hope he will be a good player and help the team to win.
Just please draft some players to help the Defense now.
Go Bucs
April 25th, 2025 at 9:22 am
Fully understand, it’s a future vision. I guess we will see what he meant with the present. Maybe something else is brewing.
April 25th, 2025 at 9:23 am
Either you drafted him #19 to be a wr3 or you signed Godwin to be a $22 million dollars a year wr3…. For a team in win now mode neither option makes a lot of sense and after a stellar rookie campaign McMillan gets demoted to wr4… Spin… Spin… Spin
April 25th, 2025 at 9:23 am
you’re not gonna like this…
but we could go scattebo in round 2…
then go all defense after that…
if the idea is to stay locked & loaded in an offensive league, it might be the way to go
April 25th, 2025 at 9:23 am
Too much speculation Joe. Even Jason doesn’t know how long Mike Evans will be able to play, or when Chris Godwin will be back in there at 100%.
I like Egbuka and I’m glad he’s a Buc, but I still would’ve preferred going defense in the top rounds of this draft. I’m hoping that we can still grab a hulking DT/NT to rotate with Vea, as well as a MLB, CB & Safety as a minimum. Falcons look like they’re trying to beef up their defense, and we need to do the same. If we stay status quo, no Super Bowl for us; our defense is our weakness.
April 25th, 2025 at 9:25 am
Picking WR a year too early. I wanted defense. At the end of games, Bowles’ decision making shows he is overconfident in his defense and that overconfidence showed up last night. Bowles thinks the defense can play well, but Reddick isn’t going to turn this defense around.
April 25th, 2025 at 9:27 am
mike and chris are #1 and #2…
but they are aging, and encounter way too many injuries to leave the cupboard bare…
worst case scenario, if say both go down for a few games, is to have mcmillan and egbuka step right in to the 1 and 2 spots…
it makes sense in an offense first league…
this is no longer the 1970s and 80s…steelers and da bears football
April 25th, 2025 at 9:28 am
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
There’s so much to like about this selection. Egbuka is the most polished route runner among the draft class’ receivers, with the potential to become a quarterback’s best friend in critical situations. He should fit in with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan and become a terrific possession receiver. He’s an outstanding player who competed alongside the nation’s top receivers at Ohio State, yet still stood out for his toughness and ability to separate from defenders.
But with glaring needs at all three levels on defense, Tampa Bay should have targeted a prospect for its secondary here. The grade below does not represent Egbuka’s skill level, but rather that the Buccaneers probably needed to go a different direction.
Grade: C-minus
April 25th, 2025 at 9:30 am
we got worst grade of anyone on Athletic, luckily though, Saints and Falcons got the next worst. wtf would we do in a real division lmao
April 25th, 2025 at 9:31 am
i think we drafted him because there is worry about chris and mike aging and with injuries and hammies, etc…
but more so, which no one has spoken of……..
some legit concern about mcmillan possibly…the first half of the year dude appeared to be a busteroonie…then came on like gangbusters in the 2nd half of the season – but what if inside the walls of one buc, they think mcmillan got lucky, or it was a fluke late last year…what if they aren’t 100% sold on mcmillan…
then you draft egbuka…as a safety net
just sayin’
April 25th, 2025 at 9:33 am
are the bucs trying to fatigue Ds by rotating so many skill position players we never get tired? run and shoot !
April 25th, 2025 at 9:35 am
Just don’t draft a GD punter again Licht
April 25th, 2025 at 9:36 am
I haven’t heard one person say EE isn’t a great WR or the Bucs reached to get him. The fans will welcome him with open arms.
The people are upset at Licht and Bowles for believing the defense is good. It’s not. Top 5 O, bottom 5 D. That’s all you need to know. Bucs need an Edge, DT, ILB, CB and S. But we chose a #4 WR.
I trust JL and really hope he makes 2 stellar DEFENSIVE picks tonight. If he goes O with any pick tonight, it will be time to bring out the torches and pitch forks and head to Ray Jay.
That’s why people are upset, discouraged and frustrated in Tampa Bay.
April 25th, 2025 at 9:36 am
Just happy Light didn’t draft an injured player or a kicker.
April 25th, 2025 at 9:36 am
also i think we sign FA linebacker kyzir white…
i still say do it…
we no longer need dj chark
April 25th, 2025 at 9:36 am
Great pick, can’t have enough targets. He can do it all.
April 25th, 2025 at 9:38 am
roberto aguayo is coming to camp………….as a walk on…!
he wants a re-do and says it was all a bad dream up until now
🙂
April 25th, 2025 at 9:40 am
Have you seen teams without good receivers?
Like the Jets last year?
It’s impossible to win without good receivers.
Godwin will not be ready to start the season.
Palmer is only a deep threat.
McMillan is a solid #2 or #3 WR.
We made the right choice.
I wanted a DT. But heck.
I just want a guaranteed contributor as a first rounder.
We got a guaranteed contributor.
A nice young running mate to pair with McMillan.
Licht is playing chess while some of y’all are playing checkers.
April 25th, 2025 at 9:41 am
I can only think there is something the Bucs know about Evans, Godwin or McMillan and aren’t telling us. Otherwise, based on their rationale, the Bucs need to draft a QB. Baker is 30 and one of the older players on the team. He’s gotten injured also. So our 2nd round pick should be our QB of the future.
Just kidding and trying to still make sense of last night.
April 25th, 2025 at 9:44 am
Right now under contract we have (1) Mike Evans; (2) Chris Godwin; (3) Jalen McMillan; (4) Sterling Shepard; (5) Trey Palmer; (6) Ryan Miller; (7) Rakim Jarrett; (8) Kameron Johnson; (9) Cade Otton; (10) Payne Durham; (11) Devin Culp; (12) Bucky Irving; (13) Rachaad White and (14) Sean Tucker to catch the ball. All of them together seem to have been good enough to get Baker Mayfield a 71.4% completion rate last season.
We just added (15) Emeka Egbuka to that list. Got a hunch that Grizz is well aware that IF our offense sputters, he’ll be the designated scapegoat. Not that JBFers have ever stooped to designating any scapegoats before. Right Raheem? Right Greg?
Right Lovie? Right Smitty? Right Todd? Oh wait, those were all defense. You’re good Grizz.
April 25th, 2025 at 9:47 am
it’s gonna be a dog fight for those 5th and 6th wr spots…
one prolly goes to shepard…baker’s emergency right hand man…
leaving one spot for basically the rest
April 25th, 2025 at 9:50 am
The right way to draft if you want production is BPA, correct?
JL’s draft board has proven to be elite based on the last three years.
If he had E2 listed as the BPA on his board, isn’t that the way to go?
We get a C- because we didn’t reach for need? There’s a reason these writers aren’t coaches and GMs. Licht/Bowles are the kings of mid-round drafting, especially with defensive players.
Trust the process.
April 25th, 2025 at 9:53 am
I am good with it, will be a Buc for a long time. Good Citizen, Good Teammate, Good Character, Good Route Runner. He would of ran the end around correctly, unlike McMillan and the Bucs would of moved on. He will be the #3 this next year. He is very mature and will fit right in.
April 25th, 2025 at 10:01 am
Nonsense stuff to say that this guy replaces an eventual retirement of ME. What about Lavontae David retirement? Where is his successor? All Bucs fan are going to regret not taking a defender #1. The regret will come when the defense can’t get off the field and ends up surrendering 8 minute clock eating drives on every series. The good news for Bowles haters is with a status quo defense in 2025, it will probably be the end of TB.
April 25th, 2025 at 10:03 am
adam from ny Says: “roberto aguayo is coming to camp………….as a walk on…!”
Thank you for the laugh! Memories. Robert did well at FSU though. Good kid too.
April 25th, 2025 at 10:05 am
DR
Shepard, Palmer, Miller, Jarrett & Johnson will be fighting for WR 5 & 6
Perhaps with a UDFA……Likely we will not pick a WR in late rounds……maybe a developmental Olineman
I am convinced that Jason had little confidence that both Evans & Godwin can survive the season.
We can breathe a sigh of relief we have Egbuka.
April 25th, 2025 at 10:08 am
I think we are in a position to trade up in round 2 or 3……..we have a 4th, 5th & 7th to trade….and perhaps a pick next year.
We need 3 quality players with the 5 picks we have left…..we don’t need quantity…..we have depth players on the roster now.
April 25th, 2025 at 10:08 am
Love all the draft “EXPERTS” — all of whom do SOMETHING ELSE FOR A LIVING!!!
April 25th, 2025 at 10:17 am
Was surprised but NOT upset with this pick. Egbuka is my favorite offensive player in this draft for a Bucs fit and as much as people want to ignore, we do have questions marks at WR.
How much does Evans have left?
What do we have with Godwin?
Is Mac the pedestrian we saw the first 12 games or the stud we saw the last 6?
Insert Egbuka and these questions have a softer landing.
April 25th, 2025 at 10:21 am
I like the pick. Before you know it, we’re going to need to sign another QB (or resign baker). Any QB worth their weight in gold is going to want a good offense to work with.
I’m sure the Bucs will continue to address defensive ends in later rounds in the draft as well as free agents/trades each year
April 25th, 2025 at 10:24 am
I wish I saw what Jason sees in our defense.
Aguayo is from my hometown. He was doomed from the start. 😕
April 25th, 2025 at 10:27 am
Godwin will likely start the season on IR.
Egbuka is a brilliant pick to hedge against that likelihood.
And he’s great in all areas of the game.
A+ pick.
April 25th, 2025 at 10:28 am
Anyone making excuses for Bowles at this point is ridiculous. It’s his team to coach, and I guarantee he has an influence on who they draft. Clearly, he signed off on this pick, or they wouldn’t have made it. He seems to believe he can ‘coach up’ the players they have. Moreover, both Licht and Bowles likely feel there was better defensive talent available later in the draft. He made this bed, now he gets to lie in it. Hopefully, it’s really comfortable. Personally, I hope they score 50+ points a game and change the NFL. However, Defense statistically STILL WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS!
April 25th, 2025 at 10:33 am
love the pick. love watching 990000 mock drafts with Jihaad Campbell only to make the smart pick and keep a strength STRONG at WR. Count your days Trey Palmer
April 25th, 2025 at 10:36 am
There may be a financial angle on top of this as well.
We’re currently paying our 1-2 WRs about 50 million a year.
What’s a #19 pick get paid for 5 years?
About 25 million I believe.
April 25th, 2025 at 10:37 am
Was Egbuka the best player on the board at the time? The bucs have some defensive positions with 0 depth now, yet they take another receiver where as others have listed out there are a bunch already.
Maybe a good player but not a fit for the bucs at this time in the first round.
April 25th, 2025 at 10:38 am
You can’t lose what you don’t put in the middle, but you can’t win either.
This was a calculated risk and an area of great success that Licht has demonstrated multiple times.
I would have taken Barron at CB. But I’m just a fan, not a GM.
We can still get solid talent in the next several rounds on defense.
CB and Safety should be paramount, as well as LB.
DE can wait until next year as we have a bloat at that spot already.
A rookie DE wouldn’t see much time anyway.
This was management saying they are willing to play from a position of superior strength.
Defense will need reserves and that now should be the priority. LFG!!!
April 25th, 2025 at 10:38 am
Gipper, not all Bucs fans are going to regret not taking a defender in the first round. We’re going to get a big ol defensive tackle and an eager young middle linebacker. No worries. Injuries decimated our defense last year, we’ve already got the makings of a better defense this year. I kind of hoped we would take Golden if he was available but after more study and reflection we got the right guy, no doubt. I just got home last night in time to see our pick. Been playing golf in Denver with my brother all week and Wednesday we were paired up with a couple guys from Columbus Ohio. Alot of fun two old OU fans and two old Ohio State fans. Both OSU guys couldn’t say enough about Egbuca. I mean these were football guys who’ve seen it all and both said he’s far and away the best receiver in the draft. Looks to me like Licht hit one out of the park. With the bases loaded! I’m just glad we’re making a statement. The statement we’re making is that our passing game sets up our strong run game and not vice versa. I’m heading up to Kansas next week to place my bets on this Bucs team. I don’t know much. I do know that we may just be the class of the league this year. And I ain’t kidding.
April 25th, 2025 at 10:45 am
Jeffrey Becker Says:
April 25th, 2025 at 9:30 am
we got worst grade of anyone on Athletic, luckily though, Saints and Falcons got the next worst. wtf would we do in a real division lmao
Yes trading a 2026 #1 to move up and get a defender that they really like seems like a bad move until you see that they didn’t have a second round pick and the player would be somewhere else long before the 3rd round.
Both Cleveland and Altanta are now in pretty good positions.
Cleveland can take their best pick with the 1st pick in the second and get their QB with the 4th pick who will be there because Houston and Tennessee are not taking a QB.
Atlanta is in a good position to trade Cousins to Cleveland and pick up the Lion’s share of the money (that they will pay him anyway) and in return pick up a high 2nd where they don’t have one and a high 3rd round pick to add to the one they already have.
Falcons may have looked like boneheads last season for Drafting Penix but are now in a position to take a giant step forward.
Bucs got a good pick but are going to end up regretting that they let the player best suited to make them better now drop to the defending Superbowl Champions and the team to beat in a Conference Championship should they defy the odds and make it to one in 2025.
April 25th, 2025 at 10:47 am
if we get Watts or Revel and Knight next, are we happy?
April 25th, 2025 at 10:51 am
I think the idea is with Emeka we can now use Godwin outside when we want. Basically, McMillan backs up the two outside spots and Shep backs up the slot. Not that Godwin won’t play slot, it’s just that now we’re flexible/versatile and can attack a defensive matchup that we love without being obvious about it. Where does Palmer fit?
April 25th, 2025 at 10:52 am
Josh,
If TB can “coach up” the players he has now, why hasn’t that happened? What most of us see is a pathetic pass defense which has been horrible for the last two years. This team needs a serious talent infusion on defense. Last night was a bad start.
April 25th, 2025 at 10:57 am
The Commanders scored 23 points in NFC Championship game and lost by 27.
The Bills scored 29 points in AFC Championship game and lost by 3
The Chiefs scored 22 points in Super Bowl and lost by 18.
Today’s NFL, Offense wins Championships
April 25th, 2025 at 11:05 am
I didn’t say he could—I said he *seems* to believe. You’re one of the biggest Todd Bowles supporters around here, are you not, Gipper?
I’m not a fan of the pick, and it’s a HUGE *but*—he’s an elite talent who should be on this team for 10+ years, barring something crazy happening. And that’s exactly what you want from a first-rounder.
Is it what the Buccaneers *need*, in my opinion—or clearly in yours? That’s a big NO from me, and it seems to be for you as well.
That’s my point: Bowles clearly signed off on the pick as the head coach, or it wouldn’t have happened. He seems to be taking the Tony Dungy–Colts approach with Peyton Manning. It’s his team to build with Licht, and his to coach exclusively.
All I’m saying is—he made his bed with the Egbuka pick, and now he has to lie in it. Hopefully, we score 50+ points and the rest of the draft is lights out… on the *defensive* side.
But like I just said—it’s not my team to build or coach. I’m just a fan. If they believe in the roster they’ve built and the guys already in the building, then it’s *their* bed to lie in, and/or their sword to conquer—or die—on.
April 25th, 2025 at 11:15 am
Im fine with the pick but this was absolutely a pick to set the Bucs up for better future success rather than a better chance of winning now.
Was hoping for Barron but has seemed like Ohio State WRs are sure things in recent memory so hopefully thats the case.
April 25th, 2025 at 11:40 am
Its amazing how many posters were for EE all along. The spin is in full blown overdrive. In other news It’s been reported Jason has received a gift basket from Sean Peyton
April 25th, 2025 at 11:52 am
What most of you Simple Jacks forget, if you ever realized it, is on a good day your top draft pick is a 50/50 proposition for success. But you all know better than Jason. Ok. Sure.
They picked the guy with the most potential to succeed and be a Buc for a long time. Palmer is flaming out, another Darden. Kam Johnson and Rakim Jarrett are underwear football guys. Translation – they suck. Even McMillan went brain dead in the most important game of the year in the playoffs. And the defensive coordinator has shown his head coach that you need at least a 30 burger with his defense or you’re probably not going to win.
Looks like the special needs center has to order a longer short bus.
April 25th, 2025 at 11:56 am
I’m fine with the pick. I love it even. The Bucs under Licht have done very well drafting receivers. I’m sure we have a keeper.
The first thing I commented here last night after the pick is that our top two receivers are, in this order:
1. Old
2. Broken
The team needs a new #1 to groom. This is a great pick. There’s plenty of talented players to fill needs in round 2 and 3.
April 25th, 2025 at 12:14 pm
Aqualung is my spirit animal!
Perfectly stated good sir.
WR was as big a need as LB or CB in my opinion.
This will pay dividends for years to come.
Now onto the defense.
April 25th, 2025 at 12:20 pm
Nothing more worthless than draft grades.
April 25th, 2025 at 12:52 pm
We will know in time if this is a good pick . Given JL history I am gonna give him the benefit of doubt and I understand the logic given we were 0-3 with Evans & Godwin out last year. If we go Defense rest of draft could be a very wise move and overall draft. Seems like some good defensive guys to be had in round 2 and 3 tonight. Plus JL can find some diamonds in the rough.
April 25th, 2025 at 1:04 pm
I would rather weather the storm with nicked up receivers than nicked up CBs. Dean will be injured soon. Who will step in?
April 25th, 2025 at 1:13 pm
Ring of Fire GM J. Licht is in his 11th year…which is an eternity in that role. On his 4th head coach…and is still below .500 for his tenure. Luring big brother Bruce to Tampa was a coup…no doubt about it. This pick screams of cuteness & cockiness of a fella with seemingly unlimited job security.
April 25th, 2025 at 1:18 pm
Aquabung is my idol as well. He nearly benched 200 lbs recently according to Teen People and several unnamed online sources.
April 25th, 2025 at 1:19 pm
if palmer would have panned out, we’d have never drafted egbuka…
palmer flopped out so we drafted this guy instead of a defensive piece…
think about that people