Most Important Rookie
August 9th, 2025
No shocker here.
Joe doesn’t think it is a stretch to suggest the Bucs will need strong play by a rookie if they hope to make a deep run in the playoffs come January.
Jacob Parrish may be that guy. He’s likely going to be the Bucs’ starting nickel corner. But the way he has practiced, Joe thinks Bucs coach Todd Bowles may think about putting him at outside corner full-time.
The Bucs’ pass defense has been lousy the past two seasons. They need help in the secondary. Can Parrish be that guy? But in the big picture, another rookie may have the biggest impact.
As Dan Parr of NFL.com typed, until or unless he sees Chris Godwin on a football field, the most important rookie for the Bucs is Emeka Egbuka.
With Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan also on the roster, the cupboard was never going to be bare at receiver in Tampa, but the potential of a Godwin absence that lingers into the regular season makes Egbuka an even more critical piece on offense. Head coach Todd Bowles and Baker Mayfield are already raving about his versatility and route running in camp. The former Buckeye seems primed to hit the ground running when the real games begin.
Egbuka looks like a younger Godwin. Joe has often referred to Egbuka as a Godwin clone but yesterday Joe was talking to a Bucs suit who pointed out that Egbuka, while he looks like Godwin, is more like Godwin after a couple of years under his belt.
With Egbuka silky smooth and Bucky Irving now catching deep passes, Joe think the Bucs can survive Godwin being out for a stretch. They had a winning record without Godwin last year but missed his production.
And when Godwin comes back, look the eff out!
August 9th, 2025 at 9:56 am
I love the EE pick, Licht will win his first GM of the year award this season. I’m excited to see Parrish, he has the eyes of a shark. This is going to be a good year!
August 9th, 2025 at 9:58 am
how’s jihaad campbell doing?
August 9th, 2025 at 9:59 am
Zyon is trying to earn a big contract. Dean, who if he isn’t traded this season I don’t see coming back next. Bucs can’t pay everybody, that’s why drafting is so important. I can see a future where Parrish, and Morrison man the outside, with a JJ Roberts in the slot. That would make for a very cheap, and good secondary now wouldn’t it?
August 9th, 2025 at 10:05 am
If this team can avoid the injury bug that plagued them last year, the sky is the limit!
August 9th, 2025 at 10:07 am
Sure has sounded like Egbuka has the edge as the Bucs’ most important rookie this season. It’ll be interesting to see how many snaps he averages per game once Godwin makes his way back into the lineup.
Last year our WRs got 3,050 snaps on offense in 1,094 plays (Bucs use 3 WRs a LOT obviously). Mike Evans will surely get at least 700 snaps this year, and Chris Godwin will probably get at least the same number. I could see Jalen McMillan getting at least 500. Gut feel is that Egbuka will end up with someplace in the range of 500-700 snaps this year, then the rest of our WRs getting 400-600 altogether (last year those ‘other’ WRs got 1,350 snaps but Mike & Chris had all-time lows in terms of offensive snaps and of course Egbuka wasn’t on the team).
August 9th, 2025 at 10:10 am
I’m really sick of hearing how this guy looks like a “young Chris Godwin.” He is not. He is his own man.
Just let him play.
August 9th, 2025 at 10:13 am
The one we will really miss is Wirfs. And Joe’s reporting about the backup OL in general is frightening. Jason needs to go shopping, now, and until opening day.
Trenches trenches trenches.
August 9th, 2025 at 10:16 am
He put on a master class from the slot last year with the Buckeyes. Slants, jet sweeps, fades & go routes, he does it all. With Evans & JMac outside, EE will start the season in the slot and the Bucs won’t miss a beat. Godwin will be ready to roll by game 5 @ home vs the 49ers. Question is, how will Grizz use him when he has everybody healthy? My best guess is he’ll play all three positions and see a ton of PT as a result.
August 9th, 2025 at 10:30 am
Becker
Try Philadelphiaeaglesdotcom
🙄
August 9th, 2025 at 10:45 am
We are fine at WR either way in my opinion. Buka will be icing on the cake.
If Parish can nail the slot down and the others can step it up with coverage?
ILB is still a total uknown for me. I like what I hear about Dennis but till I see him run in coverage with those dirty birds the jury is still out. I hear our Zone defense still stinks soo…
Go Bucs!
August 9th, 2025 at 11:39 am
The most important rookie(s) to me are the two CBs. As backups, as nickels, cracking the starting lineup… wherever they end up is vitally important for better play and depth at CB
The WR room can survive without Egbuka. Even if Godwin is out a month they still have Evans, Jalen, Shephard…
August 9th, 2025 at 11:55 am
Its so awesome when a rookie is turning the heads of vets and coaches from the very first day he steps on a practice field. Like he not only belongs but can dominate at the NFL level right out the gate.
Pro-ready I believe is the term….
Last year it was Bucky, Barton and Tykee Smith who fit that bill – with McMillan coming on strong at the end of the season. What a draft!
This year Ebuka is stealing the spotlight because his “pro-readiness” is just at another level. The Bucs got a top 10 talent and the best WR in this draft at #19!
The other standout has been Jacob Parrish. He’s shorter than Bowles usually prefers at CB yet coach has had nothing but positive (sometimes gushing) reviews about what he’s seen from the K State 3rd round rookie thus far. And it seems every time coach Bowles talks about Parrish he makes sure to announce that Jacob plays well outside. I’m finding the repetitiveness of that interesting….
August 9th, 2025 at 1:40 pm
@Aquabrain: Put down the bottle, there are no saviors walking the streets. Cut downs could provide a diamond in the rough, but will take weeks or months to get up to speed.
August 9th, 2025 at 3:13 pm
I think I can speak for everyone when we say we all want CG14 back and we say this with passion in our voices. Before the injury last year man he was unstoppable. Catching everything and running thru everyone. Dude was balling. I hope they take it extra slow with him bring him back. With all the targets and some new toys he should be eased back in
August 9th, 2025 at 3:19 pm
We passed on some ballers to draft him>
Let’s see if he is as advertised.