What The League Thinks About The Bucs Drafting Emeka Egbuka
May 3rd, 2025
There is a dissenter.
One of the great mysteries within every draft is how a football organization forecasts next year’s crop. For example, a lot of folks scratched their heads when the Bucs drafted a receiver, not a defender at No. 19.
Maybe the Bucs didn’t like next spring’s potential crop of receivers and decided now was the time to get a receiver?
Charlie Campbell of Walter Football noted he has a source at One Buc Palace who wasn’t on board with Egbuka, at least not at No. 19.
In speaking to multiple sources at other teams, the majority said taking Egbuka in the top-20 was a reach in their opinion. One NFC general manager of a team picking late in the first round said their team did not see Egbuka as a top-20 talent. Even one of Tampa Bay’s own evaluators thought Egbuka was a reach that high. However, an assistant general manager of an AFC team said that in a weak 2025 draft class, he didn’t think Egbuka was a reach. Thus, it was mixed reviews with a slight lean towards reach status.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took Egbuka with the 19th pick, and that was a surprise landing spot. The Bucs have a long-term need at the position, given the age of future Hall of Famer Mike Evans and team leader Chris Godwin. They also have a promising second-year wideout in Jalen McMillan, so initially, Egbuka will probably be the fourth receiver. In speaking with sources at other teams who were with Egbuka at Ohio State, they think he will end up being a rock-solid pro and Hines Ward-type receiver in the NFL. Given the depth chart in Tampa Bay, it may take some time for Egbuka to break through, but eventually, he looks likely to turn into a quality starter for Tampa Bay.
Look, Joe likes the Egbuka pick. Again, “this Joe” would have taken a defensive tackle or a safety but when Joe heard it was a receiver and more specifically, it was Egbuka, Joe broke out into a wide smile.
And if Egbuka turns out to be the next Hines Ward, not one Bucs fan will grumble. Only haters.
You know, like the people still whining about Derwin James, who hasn’t won a playoff game, even though the Bucs have won a Super Bowl since James was drafted after Vita Vea in 2018.
May 3rd, 2025 at 12:27 am
I prefer Vita over James
May 3rd, 2025 at 1:09 am
Guy is getting too much hype!
He’s a rookie with not a snap yet.
Lest not forget the long list of NFL high draft picks thought to be the next greatest and never match up with the hype!
May 3rd, 2025 at 1:36 am
And here I thought silly season was over…
May 3rd, 2025 at 1:49 am
@SBLV
The draft is all about hype, it’s a crap shoot. But, this kid is going to be a solid pro and Jason has done well with drafting WRs.
Every 1st round talent is getting hype precisely before they show they shouldn’t have been a 1st rounder when the chin straps come on. There will be guys who get very little hype but out perform their draft status. That’s how this works.
May 3rd, 2025 at 1:58 am
I broke out into the smile too and thought hot dam Lee/Joe nailed it. So glad look at how it turned out!!! Would you rather have a linebacker with a bad shoulder and and maybe other health problems too? or a edge rusher at 19 who was not picked till mid 2nd round? or a safety No!!!!!!!! Egbuka is the pick–I love it–perfect, just watched his highlights and he will fit in with this team fine. We got edge David Walker–good with that! Egbuka is the fit all the way around–why ask what other teams think of our draft pick? They cannot even draft their own teams well, Jason Licht is the bomb! the other teams throwing shade to make themselves look better only.
May 3rd, 2025 at 2:00 am
glazers authorized this pick too–why not–its a great pick
May 3rd, 2025 at 2:02 am
Every 1st rounder after #14 or so was probably a “reach” to some degree, based on the talent drop off in this years draft.
I do think it’s a bit of a longer term luxury pick vs immediate need, but I’ve always thought teams who draft BPA typically do better in the long run.
May 3rd, 2025 at 3:53 am
The Bucs have had a loaded receiver room for years. Every year since the Super Bowl they have lost a significant amount of games because of WR injuries. This pick not only provides for the future, but solidifies the present. It could also extend and improve the play of Evans and Godwin by allowing them to take less reps during the season. Great pick by a GM who is light years more intelligent football wise than anyone in this forum.
May 3rd, 2025 at 3:55 am
Is he WR3 or WR4 to start the season, that is the question?
May 3rd, 2025 at 4:43 am
I don’t get why your “prized” 1st rnd draft pick (that Licht stated “was in our top 10” on there draft board) would be WR4 behind McMillian who we got in the 3rd round last year…so what if McMillian has a year of experience, big whoop. EE is more polished and more talented!
SOMEONE PLS EXPLAIN WHY THIS MAKES SENSE??…
May 3rd, 2025 at 4:54 am
Simple McMillan produced on the field. Once you’ve proven yourself draft position means nothing.
May 3rd, 2025 at 5:05 am
Joe u left out the part where two teams that were calling Licht wanting to move up to get him!! One was the Texans and the other was Sean Mcvay in LA who wanted him pretty bad and seen him as a cooper Kupp type of player who they need to replace.
TRUST ME, This guy was not gonna make it out the 1st round. FACTS
May 3rd, 2025 at 5:35 am
Regardless of who is WR3 and who is WR4, BOTH of them will get snaps as there will be a rotation. And there will be times both will be on the field at the same time.
I bet our OC will create some plays where Evans, Godwin, McMillan, and Egbuka are all on the field together. Good luck to any teams attempting to defend against them. 😉
Licht and his staff have been hitting home runs in the draft and may have done it again. I doubt that they give a rats a** what others think.
There was a time just last season where the top 3 WRs were all injured at the same time. Having depth at that position is essential.
Injuries are unavoidable.
May 3rd, 2025 at 5:38 am
A quick reminder.
50% of 1st round picks are BUSTS.
I think there is a zero percent chance that Egbuka will be a “bust” barring an injury.
May 3rd, 2025 at 5:53 am
I too would have loved a big giant DT but alas the only one I felt like had legit first round talent and we maybe had a shot at was Grant and he got nabbed at 13. So Jason stuck to his board and we are not forced to go WR next year. Jason is not a dummy.
Go Bucs!
May 3rd, 2025 at 6:47 am
I predict he will be better than Plan 9 and Howard.
May 3rd, 2025 at 6:49 am
What struck me about the draft is how many players were drafted in the first round that just flat out didn’t produce in college. There were a large number of picks that had very underwhelming stats over a 3 year career. Edge rushers and DLs with 2 or 3 sacks and 30-40 tackles of their entire career, dbs with 4 career interceptions even thought they were a 4 year starter. I realize stats aren’t everything, it just seems like a great deal of high picks had very pedestrian production. Their game film must have been outstanding.
May 3rd, 2025 at 6:59 am
We essentially have 2 sets of number 1 receivers – that means ZERO plays off for the defense – think about it, how many times after a big catch do Mike or Chris take the next play off – one side of the field has a nobody lined up and that CB gets a break essentially- not anymore – it could create 3-5 extra explosives a game as well – how many teams have 4 starters at CB?
We lost several games by one score- we can now score that extra time and we did improve the pass rush and secondary in the draft/ FA
This looks like another 10-12 win team with a real shot at the big dance
May 3rd, 2025 at 7:18 am
Can’t figure out why this is still a discussion item & is getting beaten to death. It’s been covered 100 times that the high quality defensive talent (ie, Grant as the massive DT/NT for instance) was already off the board when we picked. Egbuka was the BPA on the Bucs’ board when we picked. Rather than ‘reach’ for a lesser-talented defensive player, JL went with the BPA. No problemo; that’s good drafting.
Would dearly love to see us move on to discussing something more meaty, like how is the Bucs’ defense gonna appreciably improve with pretty close to the same players? Or how good will our defense be when Vea’s not in there?
May 3rd, 2025 at 7:32 am
SB-LV
“Guy is getting too much hype!
He’s a rookie with not a snap yet.”
Hard to disagree with that since as lambchop says…”The draft is all about hype, it’s a crap shoot.”
Our two SB QB’s were drafted in the now non existent 9th round and the GOAT in the 6th round. So much for BB’s genius if he waited until the sixth round to take a gamble.
Crapshoot indeed! I, like many here have grown weary of assessing players at this point. But I totally get it. The NFL and JBF need something to feed the NFL junkies in this slow period.
I’ll get far more excited about all of it in July when full training camp opens for real. Again I’m genuinely excited by Joe’s reports..the hardest working man in Bucs coverage. I think we take for granted the physical effort to work in stifling heat and all the rest of the hassle. OK enough props for them they are among the luckiest guys on earth! Yeah working incredibly hard but also pursuing their passion. Been there done that and it’s an awesome feeling!
May 3rd, 2025 at 7:38 am
“Maybe the Bucs didn’t like next spring’s potential crop of receivers and that’s why the Bucs decided now was the time to get a receiver?”
That’s been my take all along. They know the Evans and Godwin situations better than we do, so if they felt they needed a receiver but didn’t like next year’s class, grab your guy now.
May 3rd, 2025 at 7:46 am
Excited as much this off season about the defensive additions as the offensive additions.
Haason Reddick
Benjamin Morrison
Jacob Parris
David Walker
Elijah Roberts
Anthony Walker Jr
I think these guys are going to fit what the Bucs want to do a ton.
Even if only 50% work out, that is improvement especially with Winfield Jr and SirVocea at least starting out with no injuries.
May 3rd, 2025 at 7:49 am
licht admitted it was a reach when he said he didnt want to get cute and trade back. said in front of the rookie which i thought was kind of messed up
May 3rd, 2025 at 7:55 am
The #1 receiver from a very good Ohio State Team is a reach at 19 and in this draft ?
No way
I think defense is what we needed but the way the draft went we may have hit all spots need . Draft is a chance and I think the Bucs took a chance with a very good out come
May 3rd, 2025 at 8:12 am
Yep I had my fingers crossed that we would draft a wr4 at #19….smh
May 3rd, 2025 at 8:16 am
This pick also sent a clear message to Mayfield, as well. We want to set you up for a future contract extension. Lets him know where he is prioritized by management. How much they value our franchise quarterback.
May 3rd, 2025 at 8:17 am
I’m waiting for a trade for an ILB or DL or both. IMore good depth there there makes us much scarier. I’m looking forward to an exciting year.
We have several UDFAs that have a chance to make at least the practice squad in areas I see us lacking depth. I’m pulling hard for this big kid from Florida. Even if he gets only good enough to give us a few quality rorations in the begining it:s good enough for me. I think this kid could be a diamond in the rough long term. He has a few lreally good guys to learn from too. I guess we will just have to wait and see.
May 3rd, 2025 at 9:08 am
Ndog’s Burner Account Says:
May 3rd, 2025 at 3:53 am
Great pick by a GM who is light years more intelligent football wise than anyone in this forum.
————-
Rec’d x 1M!! Anyone with a halfway working brain knows the NFL Draft is a crap shoot. However, Jason Licht is doing pretty d### good with House money.
May 3rd, 2025 at 9:16 am
With all due respects, Winston was a reach, Daniels was, the list goes on and on. Haters are going to hate, die-hards are blind. Let play and find out. To me, yes I was surprised by the pick, but knowing every mock draft is a guess past the top five or three trying to evaluate a reach and and a steal is really done after three or four years.
May 3rd, 2025 at 9:27 am
I agree with DR….way past time to move on…..
May 3rd, 2025 at 9:40 am
All caps makes it indisputably true. That there is a world wide web TRUTH
May 3rd, 2025 at 9:41 am
Not mentioned here is the Bucs have a caveat to the “Best player available” concept: the guy CAN’T be an a-hole, a concept these national scribes don’t allow for
May 3rd, 2025 at 9:44 am
If you gotta keep telling (justifying) everyone in the room that your the smartest guy in the room, there’s likely a reason they’re not all convinced
May 3rd, 2025 at 9:45 am
Wonder how a 4 year starter at center for the University of Texas and only had 2 QB sacks against in his career wasn’t drafted? They say he is a better pass blocker than run blocker. Licht and crew were brilliant getting this guy. We don’t want to move Bredeson to center if Barton goes down and now I don’t think we will need to. Shaping up to be a special year.
May 3rd, 2025 at 9:46 am
OK, let’s look at all the guys drafted #20 – #40…
#20 – jahdae Baron – too small, compared to Morrison, I’d take Morrison
#21 – Derrick Harmon – DT – not nearly as good as the guys drafted above him.
#26 – James Pearce – DE – PULEEZE – No thanks
#27 – Malaki Starks – S – I’ll take Tykee Smith over him
#30 – Max Hairston – CB – I still like Morrison better
#31 – Jihad Campbell – LB – IF he’s healthy – maybe… but apparently the Bucs didn’t like his tape. Who am I to argue with them?
#33 – Carson Schwesinger – LB – DEFINITELY would have taken him – but at 19, he’s ALSO a REACH
#35 – Nick Emmanwori – S – NOPE – bad scheme fit for us
That’s all – even if we extend to 50 – we see 2 so-so DTs, Ezeirauku, Tuimoloau, Will Johnson, and Demetrius Knight?
WHICH of those guys is an IMMEDIATE impact player? Maybe Schwesinger, MAYBE
The point is, at the time they drafted, THERE WERE NO IMMEDIATE IMPACT players worthy of a 1st round pick. And Egbuka will be WR 2 to start the season, with CG still rehabbing – even if he’s ‘healthy’ he won’t be 100%.
STOP already.
May 3rd, 2025 at 9:47 am
@Kenton Smith – I agree there are 3-4 players on UDFA who will have a shot to make the team, and/or will definitely get called up at some point this year.
May 3rd, 2025 at 9:50 am
Licht has got the draft down to a science. There is no one better since 2019. Go Bucs!!
May 3rd, 2025 at 9:56 am
Guarantee those teams that didn’t have him inside top 20 haven’t been to the playoffs in a while.
May 3rd, 2025 at 9:58 am
ChiBuc
“If you gotta keep telling (justifying) everyone in the room that your the smartest guy in the room,”
I agree with that but I’m clueless as to who you have in mind. I have read a few posters here who post like their the smartest in the room but I haven’t heard any Buc officials.
Curious as to who you have in mind.
May 3rd, 2025 at 10:09 am
^^JL
May 3rd, 2025 at 10:13 am
Posts are always opinion based, but JL is going out of his way to justify the pick
*top 10 on our board
*bap
*not a reflection of Godwin’s health
*was high on him last yr
* high character guy
*did have any defensive player ranked higher (again, bap)
* blah, blah, blah
May 3rd, 2025 at 10:17 am
I’m just waiting for Bruce Arians to step up to a microphone to announce how he convinced JL of the pick. Oh, how the lap dogs will lap that up
May 3rd, 2025 at 10:35 am
The draft is over. Complaining about it is like complaining about the muffed end around against the Redskins.
Accept it. Move forward.
Be F’ing positive about this team.
May 3rd, 2025 at 10:54 am
love the hines ward comp, was thinking a year in the weight room and andre johnson comp, but i like yours better
May 3rd, 2025 at 11:12 am
Wide receiver is viewed by many as the easiest position to transition from college to the NFL if the receiver has the physical talent… speed, route running ability and good hands. You know, the ‘measurables’. D-line, EDGE and LBs may look like world-beaters in college, but most of their opponents are minor-league caliber who will never sniff an NFL lineup, so stepping up to go against bigger, stronger and faster NFL opponents makes them far more of a crap shoot to draft imo. You get a chance to grab a receiver like this who seems to have the requisite skillset, you take him. If he works out, we have a young speedster in Palmer for trade bait down the road.
May 3rd, 2025 at 11:14 am
Steve Smith Sr. Thinks the kid is a stud and actually had him going to the Bucs. If it’s good enough for a HoF caliber receiver, that’s good enough for me.
May 3rd, 2025 at 11:40 am
Puka was a 5th rounder, it would be great if he can play like him
May 3rd, 2025 at 12:33 pm
Smart move. Evans is getting long in the tooth and Godwin is still not fully recovered. One or both might not last the full season. Dam smart insurance policy.
May 3rd, 2025 at 2:08 pm
A week from Tuesday Bucs defensive coaches are supposed to be available. You’ll have to wait until then for such “meaty” and fresh scripted and rehearsed answers.
Trust Joe, he knows what he’s doing with content on this site. Been proven over and over and over and over Joe knows what he is doing.
May 3rd, 2025 at 2:15 pm
When there is other Bucs news, then it will be time to write other Bucs news.
Joe knows what he’s doing here. There isn’t a site that covers the Bucs that comes close to Joe’s traffic.
People act like Joe should shut this site down during the offseason. Guys, there are literally tens of thousands of free articles in the archives. If you don’t like the subjects that are on the front page, Joe is very confident you can find whatever subject you want to read about in the archives.
If someone has had their fill of veggies, does Publix shut down for a couple of weeks? This site from the day it was hatched and until the day it shuts down has been, is and always will be a business.
Joe writes what Joe finds interesting. And given the readership, Joe knows it resonates with many Bucs fans.
Can’t please all the people all the time.
May 3rd, 2025 at 2:32 pm
Godwin’s going to miss the majority of the 2025 season. That’s why this pick was made.