Why Drafting Emeka Egbuka Was Damn Smart
May 31st, 2025
Rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka.
Joe understands there are still diehards out there angry with Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht for drafting Emeka Egbuka at No. 19 and not a damaged goods inside linebacker or a reach of a safety.
Joe gets it. Joe read the passing and receiving advanced stats when both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin were out for a four-game stretch midseason (so too was Jamel Dean) when the Bucs went 0-4 and damn new blew their playoff chances.
Those numbers were downright ugly.
As frightening as it may be, follicly-challenged Billy Barnwell of BSPN noticed the same dropoff. And he added some numbers to show why the Bucs really did need receiver help, even with a Hall of Fame receiver and a Pro Bowl receiver on the roster.
None of Tampa’s wide receivers or tight ends played a full 17-game slate last season, and perhaps the Egbuka addition is a nod to that experience. While Mike Evans’ combination of size and skill set as a vertical receiver is unique, the Bucs don’t have to be reliant on any one player on offense. They have the depth to weather injuries and a group of receivers versatile enough to move around the formation and fill any role. Egbuka has received raves for his all-around game and professional readiness, but the Bucs don’t need him to be an immediately impactful receiver. They don’t need Godwin to hit the ground running after a serious injury. Egbuka might be considered a luxury pick given some of the needs this team had elsewhere on the roster, but if the Bucs have him as their top receiver in midseason [with Evans and Godwin injured] instead of Otton and Sterling Shepard, do they beat a Chiefs team that they took to overtime?
If the Bucs had gone for two near the end of regulation in Kansas City, yes. But Joe gets Barnwell’s point.
So far, Egbuka is getting a lot of snaps with the first team in underwear football, a setting that often makes receivers look far better than they are. Egbuka appears smooth, with a quicker burst than advertised. And he seems to be developing a nice rapport with Baker Mayfield.
All good in late May.
At worst, Egbuka is insurance for Evans and Godwin. At best, he’s a real weapon that thins defenses and forces defensive coordinators to game plan for him.
May 31st, 2025 at 8:21 am
I think definitely insurance.
But I also think he is a look towards the future. ME13 will not out run Father Time. Not saying that will be this year but it will be sooner rather than later.
As of now there is no rush to develop the young man. Bring him along slowly, let him get to “man” size and HOPEFULLY he’ll be our next great receiver for years to come.
May 31st, 2025 at 8:22 am
It was a great pick. So was picking the two corners, an edge rusher, and a D lineman who can fill Golston’s role. Tez Johnson was the cherry on top. This could be the draft that puts Tampa over the top. There isn’t an offseason move you can really nit pick, tho many will. This team stays relatively healthy, no reason they aren’t a legit S.B. contender.
May 31st, 2025 at 8:27 am
The problem is paying a broken WR $66 million
THAT is why we drafted a WR #1
THAT is why folks are rightfully questioning the best GM in football
What the HELL was he thinking? ANd saying well, the Pats were offering him $$$ doesn’t make it a good signing. The Pats suck out loud. That’s actually an indictment on the signing not proof it was a good idea.
May 31st, 2025 at 8:33 am
Godwin will be fine- he just may take a little longer to get there. We’ll find out soon enough…
May 31st, 2025 at 8:38 am
Bucs4Ever:
It may turn out that the Bucs re-signing of Godwin was bad.
I think what has worked out well for the Bucs though is re-signing guys they know work out well in their locker room.
On March 10th, to the Bucs it was a good gamble. By April 24th, the Bucs were obviously concerned.
The so called best GM in football from the Eagles also misses. Understand that last year the Eagles signed Bryce Huff for 3 years and 51 million and he was off the active roster healthy scratch for the Super Bowl.
You are making 60 final roster decisions a year — a GM misses.
May 31st, 2025 at 8:39 am
Bucs4ever
You’re missing the point.
Godwin is a Bucs legend. And Licht rewards loyal Bucs.
It’s about setting a precedent. We won’t abandon our guys.
I’m so thankful we re-signed CG. He deserves to finish his career with Mike Evans!
Shame on you man!
And on a side note.
I hope we invest in a WR in the 1st round next year too.
We have the deepest WR core in the NfL.
Why not add to it next year?
Bowles and Licht have proven they can find legit defensive talent in rounds 2-5.
Draft another WR next year too!
Egbuka, McMillan and another elite talent next year!
Keep adding depth while we can!
We are only missing 1 piece.
An elite NT to rotate with Vea.
May 31st, 2025 at 8:46 am
It also opens up trade possibilities.
May 31st, 2025 at 8:56 am
Well it’s the last Saturday of the month so I’m headed out to our monthly old farts breakfast. 8 old guys generally taking up a choice table at one of our rotating breakfast spots and seemingly trying to convince the patrons that we are all deaf. By talking entirely too loud. A couple of these old geezers were basketball players back in the day and I know they are going to incessantly chirp on and on about the Oklahoma City Thunder. I wish it was football season. Never much cared for basketball. Maybe we can talk about OU football. Except there isn’t much to talk about with OU football lately. Most of the discussion will be about why does the coach still get a paycheck. Aqualung would fit right in with this group. I wear my Bucs Mayfield jersey sometimes in football season. Think I’ll wear my Mayfield OU jersey today. I sure like football!
May 31st, 2025 at 9:16 am
Bucs4Ever Says: “The problem is paying a broken WR $66 million”
Godwin could have commanded much more than $22 mil per year from another team. He chose to stay in-house. Even if they over-paid Goodwin, Licht knows that the Bucs are in the prime position to make a run for the Super Bowl. This opportunity does not happen too often. Godwin is part of the puzzle. We just need the Buc’s defense to step it up.
May 31st, 2025 at 9:16 am
And WRs …Godwin, McM (tbd, but he sure gave us a happy ending to close the season), even White who is really an elite slot receiver.
I’m done beating the draft drum, but ignoring ILB and IDL may wear us thin by yrs end.. And calling Campbell “damaged goods” and referring Morrison as lucky that he fell in our laps just smacks ironic. It’s almost like when ppl refer to Dean’s injury history and ignore AWJ’s regular unavailability
May 31st, 2025 at 9:30 am
Where was that talk coming from that godwin might make it back for the playoffs and now noone knows whats going on with him?
May 31st, 2025 at 10:11 am
Im with Bucs4ever it made no sense to sign Godwin and draft a wide receiver #1. The only team I ever heard mentioned interested in Godwin was New England and they offered more money via a longer contract. Plus they are desperate for receivers help. If the bucs wanted more depth at receiver they could have done so later in the draft. I’ve been preaching it all off season to deaf ears but Riddick isn’t the answer to our defensive woes and so far he hasn’t done anything to change my mind. We will still have the same huge hole in the middle of our defense and the same middling defensive coordinator calling the shots. Yes let’s thank god we have a shiny new wr 3/4
May 31st, 2025 at 10:22 am
It’s a great pick, it’s a passing league and you can never have too many weapons.
May 31st, 2025 at 10:22 am
Losing so many winnable games at the end is a Bowles trademark.
May 31st, 2025 at 10:34 am
By this logic, shouldn’t teams put equal emphasis on preventing the pass, like pass rushers? I also noticed that the team that won the superbowl dud a fine job rushing the passer AND they had a league leading rusher on the team. Curious
May 31st, 2025 at 10:47 am
too many jason licht apologists. who cares what is done is done at this point.
i just hope picking egbuka isnt a reflection of chris godwin rehab, in spite of what they say and do publicly.
May 31st, 2025 at 11:09 am
This obviously is why I’m a fan and not a GM lol. JOE I’m not mad at Jason for his 1rd pick I just would have gone with jahid instead. The Bucs weathered the ship just fine without ME13 and CG14. Here’s my thinking Bucs usually start the season pretty good so jahid didn’t need to be ready then when the Bucs hit that mid season slump like the last 2 season jahid would come in take a little time for adjustment and getting in game shape and be ready for when we make that late season push for the playoffs he’s the eventual replacement for LVD. So you take care of the present and future at the same time. Again I know nothing lol just a fans 2 cents which I know isn’t worth much maybe not even worth 2 cents lol
May 31st, 2025 at 11:12 am
Picking a great player is never a bad choice. And I think Egbuka is a great player. There’s nothing wrong with totally dominating one aspect of the game. I don’t know that anyone available at a position of “need” would improve that position beyond fair-to-competent this year. Long term, Egbuka will be excellent, and future drafts can look for dominators at other positions in the first round.
May 31st, 2025 at 11:39 am
This immediate gratification information society wants to know what Chris is having for breakfast next week.. RIGHT NOW. It’s May. R-E-L-A-X.
If Chris wasn’t gonna be right, Bud Licht wouldn’t have made the deal and the Pats wouldn’t have been offering $20M more.
The kind of player and person CG is you don’t just put out with the trash. He’s gonna be just fine.
May 31st, 2025 at 12:51 pm
Let’s say Godwin is not going to be ready by September. In that case drafting Egbuka will prove to be a damn smart move indeed!
May 31st, 2025 at 1:13 pm
Well-said JMark.
CG is a rare breed.
May 31st, 2025 at 1:45 pm
In the initial aftermath of the injury, Bowles had hoped (prayed?) Godwin would be back for the playoffs. But it didn’t take long for reality to step in. Pretty sure around Thanksgiving that Bowles had said no chance of a Godwin return for playoffs.
So the “talk” was from message boards and sports radio.
May 31st, 2025 at 1:45 pm
I was calling for a WR in the 1st round months before the draft. Godwin won’t see the field in 2025. Easy peasy call. Surprised so few saw this coming.
May 31st, 2025 at 1:48 pm
There was reportedly another choice besides “a damaged goods inside linebacker or a reach of a safety.” The Texans reportedly wanted to trade up from 25 for Egbuka. That should have netted the Buc pick 25 plus a third round pick plus a late round pick.
Is Egbuka a third round pick and a late round round pick better than the next receiver?
May 31st, 2025 at 2:01 pm
I just don’t understand where Jihaad was supposed to play? Were the Bucs benching LVD, taking Voss off the field? Voss’s play on the field was never an issue. The guy just had a bum shoulder. It’s been taken care of. Could he get injured or sick going forward? Yes, just like any other player. Jihaad Campbell is recovering from surgery on one shoulder and now it’s believed he’s going to need to have surgery on his other shoulder. Other reports are saying that he has a knee issue too, over time, degenerative. I don’t think the Bucs had him that high on their board do to these injury concerns. I think they liked Schewesinger and Knight but they went earlier than most people predicted. They love what they’ve seen from Voss. They also Added Anthony Walker, resigned Deion Jones and picked up Bullock in UDFA. Bullock is a solid ILB from U Nebraska and had an early day 3 draft grade. I think there’s a good chance he beats out Grier for the final spot.
As far as the panic that’s happening by fans regarding Godwin’s rehab timeline. I don’t see any new news about it. It just seems to be pure speculation. I do think the Egbuka pick will allow the team to ease him back into it. Avoiding a setback like what happened last time. Investing in Godwin will not be foolish. Fans questioning it is. Egbuka was a top 10 player on their draft board. Bucs simply went BPA just what most fans say they want.
May 31st, 2025 at 3:18 pm
I wanted WR early….I was gonna go S or DT first pick, WR 2nd pick. But Jason said screw that and got what will probably be the 2nd best WR in the draft. I have no problem with that. The WR I was pushing for with our 2nd (Higgins) was the 2nd pick in round 2, so he wouldnt have been there. This was def an impact choice by Jason and co. Im loving it. This way, Godwin has time to heal properly and we’re getting set up for when big Mike makes the decision to retire. We still need that big tall WR like him though who has a huge catch radius….maybe next draft or 2027.
May 31st, 2025 at 3:21 pm
Jahid Campbell was an attractive option from the 2025 draft. Mostly because he played at a position of need for our Bucs defense. We could all see the holes that were continually exposed time & time again in the middle of the field.
Pass defense was so consistently bad & predictable it became hard to watch especially in crucial late game situations.
The odds of successfully negotiating just 1 more adult beverage from concessions was better than the Bucs defense winning a game for us in the final 2 minutes last year.
Back to Cambell, he looked like a good late 1st to early 2nd round option to help the in the middle of the field. In round 2 he would have made a lot of sense but that was before his shoulder surgery. Once questions of recovery & rehabilitation time came to light that set the narrative.
Don’t forget our eventual 2nd round pick Benjamin Morrison. He was a higher rated prospect than Cambell & he preformed a workout prior to draft day demonstrating physical performance answering questions about recovery time.
IMO Cambell was never in play for our 19th pick & that was before the surgery.
Bucs had Emeka Egbuka & Benjamin Morrison rated as better players for our team. In JL we trust.
Thankfully there are many more better off ball LBs in the 2026 draft.
Twice as many literally. 3-4 with 1st round grades with more than a dozen looking like they will be drafted before the clock runs out on day 2 of the draft.
Next year we will all have a lot more LBs to share opinions about.
For this year I feel like in the last 2 mins the pass defense will at the least be entertaining enough to watch. Go Bucs!
May 31st, 2025 at 3:30 pm
@Kenton I hope they serve great biscuits and gravy wherever you old farts eat.
I’m with you. I’m down to the NFL and NHL now. I used to actually be a sportscaster who could tell about stars and teams down to the NAIA level. Maybe I just burnt out eh. But I surely could go for some great biscuits and gravy.
@Geno
“The so called best GM in football from the Eagles also misses.”
Indeed! Remember DW45? Our SB star?
Paraphrasing reports from Phllly – Howie Roseman’s resume is accomplished enough and his job security secure enough to stop playing games.
The saga of Devin White in Philadelphia has continued into the bye week for no obvious reason othan than $3.5 million of guaranteed money.
You hate to be flippant because that’s significant money in the real world. In the modern NF, the truth in that kind of money is easily written off in an industry where PERSONNEL EVALUATION ERRORS ARE BAKED INTO THE BOTTOM LINE!
May 31st, 2025 at 3:33 pm
@Sapp2
“Thankfully there are many more better off ball LBs in the 2026 draft.
Twice as many literally. 3-4 with 1st round grades”
Excellent point!
May 31st, 2025 at 6:23 pm
There would have been no need to play Evans against the ravens last season with EE. That game would have been much more competitive. Maybe not a win but closer.
I’m confident we would have been 3-0 against the falcons, Chris’s and niners.
May 31st, 2025 at 6:46 pm
Pretty good player. In fact, he was so good Egbuka was the second best receiver at Ohio State last year. In Tampa, he will be the 3rd best receiver for the next couple of years. If 2025 draft was for contingency, why didn’t Bucs draft another field goal kicker on the theory that Chase McLaughlin is bound to get injured sometime in 2025? With aging vets in LVD, ME13 and CG14, the 2025 19th pick had to be a defender. When the season gets underway, everyone will see why.
May 31st, 2025 at 9:59 pm
@sapp2 & @stpete
Not arguing but trying to find data which sites are predicting a flood of first round ILBs in the 2026 draft? There do seem to be more second and third round prospects. Who are the Fab Five who might go in the first or second round? Who do you like for the Bucs?
For a quick survey, I looked @ PFF’s Big Board, Draft Buzz, Mock Draft Database, Walter Football and CBS Sports.
Anthony Hill from Texas is the only consensus first round ILB that I have found appearing in the first round on every site with projections for him to go between 6 and 16 – out of reach for the Buc, I hope.
Georgia’s C.J. Allen was first round at CBS Sports and Mock Draft Database, but other sites had him in the second and third rounds.
Alabama’s Deontae Lawson made the first round at PFF, but second round elsewhere.
Texas A&M’s Taurean York made the first round at PFF, but second and third rounds at other sites.
Walter Football had Ole Miss’s Suntarine Perkins in the first round, but no other sites did.
May 31st, 2025 at 10:52 pm
Godwin was the best receiver in the game last year before he went down. Let’s not act like signing him to a long term deal was a bad move.
June 1st, 2025 at 8:06 am
Toopanca
I will immediately concede that I no longer follow college football and am totally ignorant of next year’s draft, just as I was this years.
I gave sapp2 the benefit of the doubt but I respect you as well and so I’ll let you two battle that one out since I’m unqualified.
BTW another reason I’m unqualified is that I simply do not get a woodie over draft picks. I’m here and for a period of time each year that’s all that gets talked about and I get the interest, just do not share it.
I’m from the Bobby Beathard school of GM’s. He traded out of the first round more than any other GM. He believed (and I agree) that the draft is a giant crapshoot and the best way to increase your odds is get more “chances”.
I first came here during the debate about Fameis. Mariota was the other QB in that conversation. I thought Fameis was the better player, and still do. I believed all the FSU guys that Fameis myriad mistakes in college were just youthful indiscretions. We’ve all made mistakes. And so I thought yeah make him the #1 pick in the draft.
Now I imagine what Bobby Beathard would have done with that pick, multiplying it into 3-4 excellent NFL players.
June 1st, 2025 at 8:19 am
E2 was the best WR in the draft this season. You absolutely can not go wrong with an tOSU WR as every one of them drafted gets over 1k seasons out of the gate running and this is fact. E2 was not just a great WR in the best WR program in college football, he is the all-time leader in every statistical category. The only reason he was the “second best WR at tOSU” is because J Smith might be the beat WR of all time… I have no doubt if we need E2 to play starter amount of snaps this season as a rookie he can net over 1k yards. No doubt whatsoever. This is a guy who can possibly become an all time great like Godwin or even ME13- you can’t pass that up even if you have those HOFers already. The way I’m looking at it, few teams will have enough talented DBs to cover all our WRs. Mayfield will have more weapons than other other QB. With passing as vital as it is, that’s huge. We’ve got a great run game as well… this offense should be on fire all season. Teams have won Superbowls that way; I like our chances. I see no need to complain. Everyone we drafted seems really good and we also added more talent to the defense in FA. I’m not saying necessary we added premier all pro guys in FA but we definitely added talent and depth while loosing no one… so I see no need to complain. Every season we’ve improved and logic would suggest that continues this year.
June 1st, 2025 at 8:46 am
Daniel Dream,
Mayfield only has one football.
June 1st, 2025 at 11:22 am
If McMillan continues having gotten over the rookie wall he should be a bigger weapon early in the season. If they’re smart they won’t rush Godwin back but let him fully recover. We have 3rbs who can catch and ME13 there’s no need especially if EE can pick up the offense early on
June 1st, 2025 at 1:02 pm
Many of you do not understand the concept of OPPORTUNITY COST.
That’s ok. I bet you learn about it this season.
June 1st, 2025 at 1:44 pm
For three years, the Bus have been paying opportunity cost for taking a developmental QB in the last pick in the second after winning the Super Bowl.
To be fair, the majority of the third round picks that came next were not particularly successful.
Ironically, while questioning the position the Bucs chose to draft, I have confidence that they likely would have chosen well if they had taken a player at DL, OL, WR, DB, TE, RB, LB or even Edge.
June 1st, 2025 at 2:02 pm
@stpete,
I am not sure that anyone can really follow college football anymore.
In the 70’s, I preferred the Seminoles, liked the Gators, and would cheer of even the Hurricanes when it came to bowl games. Now USF and UCF have had noteworthy seasons, and USWF has been trying. Multiply that expansion by 50 states. The best player may be on one of the worst teams that no one has ever heard of.
The transfer portal and Name, Image and Likeness opportunities may mean that mercenary hidden gems get more shots at discovery. But, there will still be homebodies who go unnoticed.
As it is so overwhelming, I usually go to sites like Draft Buzz, Mock Draft Database, PFF, CBS Sports and compare their lists.
Doing so, it is easy to see that Anthony Hill is not only a first round pick on every site, he is ranked out of reach for playoff teams. That tells me that it should be fun to watch his highlight video in and of itself, and maybe some complete games if I really like the video. And, I go from there.