Rondé Barber Thinks Emeka Egbuka Has Better Hands Than Chris Godwin
June 26th, 2025
Joe wondered aloud — and on the Ira Kaufman Podcast — how things might go down if at some point this season it becomes obvious that rookie Emeka Egbuka is a better wide receiver than Chris Godwin.
That could be a tough situation to manage for rookie playcaller Josh Grizzard, and for a proud and supremely talented veteran like Godwin, who is recovering from a major ankle injury.
Joe found that thought intriguing and certainly a plausible possibility given that Egbuka was a first-round draft pick at No. 19 overall.
Enter Rondé Barber. The Hall of Fame Bucs cornerback spoke on his WFLA streaming show today about how Egbuka has been wowing folks at One Buc Palace. And that was after Barber barked about being an insider who watches team-issued film of practice.
Joe presumes that includes many spring practices closed to media.
Barber’s trained eye sees greatness.
“Emeka, he easily could be a No. 2 receiver right now,” Barber said. “Dude is a vaccuum cleaner. Chris Godwin has great hands; I think Emeka’s are better. Like anything in his vicinity is a catch.”
Man, what a wild training camp and preseason it could be if Egbuka looks like the best receiver on the Bucs, even better than Mike Evans.
June 26th, 2025 at 2:07 pm
He hasn’t played one down of pro ball, slow your roll Ronde.
June 26th, 2025 at 2:11 pm
“what a wild training camp and preseason it could be if Egbuka looks like the best receiver on the Bucs, even better than Mike Evans.” Youth must(and will) be served. That’s a good thing in life. And takes absolutely nothing away from Mike.
June 26th, 2025 at 2:16 pm
Egbuka was the 19th pick, and Godwin was the 84th pick. It should not be a surprise if Egbuka ends up as the more talented or productive receiver based on draft status.
But until Egbuka proves it in the NFL, Rod God is our #2!
June 26th, 2025 at 2:23 pm
If this dude has better hands than Godwin that’s saying something. I am always impressed by Godwins courage over the middle and the way he hangs onto the ball. Dude is amazing
June 26th, 2025 at 2:26 pm
Please don’t disrespect my boy Chris godwin
June 26th, 2025 at 2:33 pm
So he has 3 hands? Because having “better” hands than Chris seems hard to believe to me. Nothin but love for Ronde though
June 26th, 2025 at 2:47 pm
Tom Brady said Chris Godwin had the best hands of any receiver he had ever played with….
Godwin was among the 3 best receivers in the league through 7 weeks last year before his devastating injury….
We probably won’t see that player in 2025 – just like Chris wasn’t really himself in 2022 coming off the major knee injury.
But Evans + EE + Godwin at 85% + McMillan + Bucky (and White) + Otten as receiving options = FIREWORKS! 30+ points per game
June 26th, 2025 at 3:20 pm
Egbuka was touted as the one of the best route runners in the draft. If his hands are great too, then he might end up being the best rookie at WR this season.
June 26th, 2025 at 3:55 pm
He’s a rookie, and Godwin is healing….give it time. Dont get me wrong, I def want him to be a beast, we need that. Its always in the head though and thats where Godwin and Evans know how with NFL experience. Bring him along and we’ll see how he does. 4 WR’s plus Tez and the rest is a nice problem to have.
June 26th, 2025 at 4:09 pm
Godwin has some of the best hands I’ve ever seen. If EE is as good then we’re ALL going to be extremely happy 😊
June 26th, 2025 at 4:24 pm
When will Godwin be 100% again? Mid season? Playoffs? 2026?
EE might be better until CG does get over 90% and that would be an amazing problem to have for the Bucs.
June 26th, 2025 at 4:45 pm
I feel for Godwin. I doubt he will be back 100% until next year. Sure hope I’m wrong. Grizzard will have his hands full as a new coordinator. As has been said he has some good problems to solve.
Go Bucs!
June 26th, 2025 at 4:52 pm
Look at that physical specimen versus MacMillan. Once Godwin is back 90% or more McMillan won’t be needed. Trade bait to bring in a final piece you need for the Super Bowl run.
June 26th, 2025 at 5:01 pm
Godwin may NEVER be 100% again, people. The Bucs are not going to say that aloud…but that’s the risk…and that is the real reason they drafted Emeka Egbuka.
We’d better hope he has fantastic hands (catching ability) because even if Godwin somehow returns to form, Mike is going to retire eventually.
And lets be honest for a moment…Godwin was not great for most of 2023. His wife mouthed off and he got an attitude…made it obvious when he wasn’t getting the ball. He didn’t fix that until the last few games of the season.
So he has shown Diva potential.
June 26th, 2025 at 5:02 pm
Pickgrin Says:
June 26th, 2025 at 2:47 pm
“Tom Brady said Chris Godwin had the best hands of any receiver he had ever played with…”
That doesn’t mean someone better cannot come along.
June 26th, 2025 at 5:15 pm
Starting to feel like they might actually be considering dealing Chris.
Wild stuff
June 26th, 2025 at 5:15 pm
Definitely smells of the raiders wanting Chris
June 26th, 2025 at 6:42 pm
Let’s see EE grab a ball across the middle before we get too excited. Practice is practice. Thumped by an NFL LB is another deal.
June 26th, 2025 at 7:21 pm
Chris has never showed “Diva” potential. His wife spoke up so what. Chris is a team player. God bless Chris Godwin!
June 26th, 2025 at 7:56 pm
Please….
June 26th, 2025 at 8:43 pm
Sounds like a great problem to have. With CG14 coming back from surgery, there’s no hurry to rush him onto the field. Remember, there’s also McMillan who came on strong at the end of last season.