Bucs Should Have Two Rookies Getting Hardware
November 1st, 2025
Racking up strong numbers.
There’s been a lot of oxygen spent and words typed about how Bucs rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka should be the “NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.”
Egbuka has been fantastic. The last couple of weeks he’s been a bit quiet. Joe thinks there are three reasons why.
The first reason is Egbuka is hurt. He’s been dealing with a hamstring injury. Hard to run good routes or blow past people with a bum hamstring.
The second is defenses are getting wise to him. He is no longer a surprise. Defenses have to gameplan for Egbuka or he will roast them.
And third, defenses can double-team him more. With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin out, who else are defensive coordinators going to lose sleep over?
But quietly, sneakily, the Bucs may have a stud defensive rookie who should seriously be considered for the “NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year” hardware.
Bucs slot corner Jacob Parrish is putting together a helluva resume for postseason honors. For example, the NFL twittered out three defensive rookies who the league apparently believes should be the frontrunners for Defensive Rookie of the Year. That would be Eagles linebacker Jihaad Campbell, Giants defensive end Abdul Carter and Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori.
But, as the Bucs’ media relations staff points out, Parrish has better numbers than all three.
Jacob Parrish: 2.0 sacks, 5 TFLs, 3 PD, 37 Tackles
Campbell, Carter & Emmanwori COMBINED: 0.5 sacks, 5 TFLs, 4 PD, 83 Tackles.
Maybe someone with the NFL should reconsider and reassess.
Joe doesn’t think Parrish, unless he makes a bunch more splash plays, will get this award. First, when is the last time a slot corner got any sort of award? You may have to go back to Rondé Barber. It’s been a while since he played.
Also, Parrish didn’t play for a blue blood college program that has fans everywhere, like Egbuka (Ohio State) or Campbell (Alabama) or Carter (Penn State). And Parrish didn’t play in a high-profile college conference like Emmanwori (SEC).
Parrish played for Kansas State in the Big XII.
And, talking to media and blowing his own horn is not Parrish’s vibe. He’s a really quiet dude. Maybe even shy. As Lavonte David has unfortunately realized, maybe way too late, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
But yeah, next time you run across an Eagles fan or a Giants fan at the bar and he’s mouthing off about Campbell or Carter, just educate him on a quiet guy who dodges the spotlight — one with better numbers than high-profile defensive rookies.
Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht did it again.
Maybe the guy who has more sacks and the same number of tackles for loss as this whole group COMBINED?
Jacob Parrish: 2.0 sacks, 5 TFLs, 3 PD, 37 Tackles
Campbell, Carter & Emmanwori COMBINED: 0.5 sacks, 5 TFLs, 4 PD, 83 Tackles#WeAreTheKrewe | @Jacobp102 https://t.co/vRnZGJnetX pic.twitter.com/kwLnIxsGxC
— Buccaneers Communications (@BuccaneersComms) October 30, 2025
November 1st, 2025 at 8:27 am
To give an example of the competency of Sports commentators – guess who CBS Commentators gave the Bucs immediate need – TIGHT END
Due to injuries on the offensive line Kate Otton is chip blocking defensive line men which is cutting down on his receptions.
It’s quite evident these commentators are either incompetent, lazy or are overburden in their duties to do due diligence research.
November 1st, 2025 at 8:28 am
Looks like a very good 3rd round pick
November 1st, 2025 at 8:31 am
Love Parrish. Egbuka has also been quiet the last two weeks because Mayfield is not making the throws. He’s been really open for two TD opportunities and the passes haven’t delivered.
November 1st, 2025 at 8:47 am
Is this JL’s best draft class? It is a darn good one for sure
November 1st, 2025 at 8:57 am
Of course they over looked him…he plays for the Bucs! The NFL powers that be consider the Buc’s a minor league NFL team. This is nothing new. The only time they get respect is when they have the best winning record in the NFL and as soon as they don’t then they and their players are 2nd rate! DUH!
November 1st, 2025 at 9:17 am
Baker’s injuries and matador OL are also hurting Emeka. At least six passes where EE was open for big gains sailed or were wide.
Todd and Griz – fix the OL.
November 1st, 2025 at 9:50 am
Can u imagine if the Bucs didn’t draft Ebuka!? All the backlash it got at the time, this team would most likely have a losing record at this point. Such great foresight by Licht. Unfortunately the dream of lining up Evans, Godwin, Ebuka and McMillan 4 wide this season is over, and damn quick I might add! Man what a sight that would have been. It most likely cost us another ring this year, and possibly Baker as MVP…Que Biggie…”It was all a dream…
November 1st, 2025 at 10:09 am
infomeplease Says:
November 1st, 2025 at 8:57 am
Of course they over looked him…he plays for the Bucs!
—————–
Yep, the sun rises in the east, and sets in the west. But @info nails it. Jacob Parrish caught my attention in the dastardly (according to Joe) preseason. I have been pulling for him all year. Like I’ve said repeatedly, I don’t follow college football so I stay out of Draft discussions. This is great news, and I’m glad to see my faith rewarded. Parrish also has some GREAT defensive teachers, both at the coaching and player level. GO BUCS AND PARRISH!!
November 1st, 2025 at 10:28 am
wow, didn’t realize his numbers were that good for half a season…
it’s still pretty clear to me he’s out there learning on the fly, and getting picked on a bit…
i haven’t been tooting his horn since jump, but seems like we def do have a player in parrish tho…
it’s hard to remember when our secondary was really this deep with solid guys, all the way down to the rookies…
good vibes on the back end…
stay frothy my friends, stay frothy
November 1st, 2025 at 11:14 am
Joe, you forgot the 4th reason for Egbuka’s production slide the past couple weeks: Baker has missed him on multiple throws when he was open.
November 1st, 2025 at 11:31 am
We had a guy who blew his own horn and talked his own smack and he plays for the Raiders now. Our team is just that, it is a team, not a one player accolade place. With that said, Licht and his coaches have all the rooks starting now, what else is new? The draft is important and Licht makes the most of it.
November 1st, 2025 at 12:18 pm
I love Emeka and am glad we drafted him.
But man, sure would be nice to have Jihaad Campbell right now.
November 1st, 2025 at 12:23 pm
As long as Baker is our QB there is always hope for the best.
But KidFloFlo is hard to challenge your perspective.
Btw With AI available now tv commentators have no excuse to be well educated with the latest stats. I hope Parrish continues his accomplishments.
Licht has had quite the growth as a GM. Awesome!
And to think back in the day people used to throw rocks at him as much as Todd gets from special needs group.
We are in the middle of a dream decade.
Enjoy it Bucs fans.
Let’s Go!!!!!
November 1st, 2025 at 12:26 pm
I think a true #1 WR is much more important than an ILB. If tampa picks Campbell, they more than likely do not have a winning season.
November 1st, 2025 at 12:28 pm
Parrish has been terrific. What I like most about him, has nothing to do with covering WRs. The way he can sift through traffic in the flats or show up in our backfield and secure a tackle. Not just undercut a guy, or throw a shoulder, he’s trying to run guys into the ground. You can see his wrestling background in that aspect of his game and it’s always cool to see it show up
November 1st, 2025 at 1:39 pm
Excited to see David Walker when he comes back from IR. This will likely be the greatest draft since Brooks/Sapp and Wirfs/Winfield. I understand Lichts reluctance to trade away his draft picks but we need help at WR and OL. Got to get the offense back on track.
November 1st, 2025 at 1:54 pm
It has already been stated but Mayfield is a big reason for EE being so quiet the past couple of weeks. I don’t doubt the hamstring is hurting but he’s been open a couple of times and the ball hasn’t found him.
November 1st, 2025 at 3:04 pm
Campbell was a gamble this past draft, EE wasn’t. Let’s see how this plays out a few years from now. Couldn’t care less about the dog and pony shows out there, too many mouth’s that know squa-duch. Also it’s about the flavor of the week and hot topics. Click here for Sidney’s breasts….again
November 1st, 2025 at 3:04 pm
Not that I’m against them mind you now….
November 1st, 2025 at 3:10 pm
Joseph C Simmons, F Jihaad Campbell.
November 2nd, 2025 at 1:33 am
Egbuka had taken a back seat. Dart will probably win it unless Egbuka pops off again
November 2nd, 2025 at 9:42 am
Campbell looks like a great player but there’s zero doubt in my mind that we would have at least 2 less wins if we drafted him instead of EE.
November 2nd, 2025 at 11:05 am
Parrish is the best rookie on D since Antoine. Let’s hope he isn’t allowed to regress as many other rookies on D have.