Emeka Egbuka And The Kevin Kiermaier Effect
April 25th, 2025
The Buccaneers’ new first-round draft pick, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, has no issue showing is extreme confidence in one particular aspect: tracking the football.
Egbuka was clear with local media this afternoon. He’s never seen “a ball in the air” coming his way that he didn’t think he could catch. That’s his strength, he said, something he takes great pride in.
In addition to hard work and pure ability Egbuka credited his baseball days.
“I have an extensive baseball background, so think that’s helped me out a lot, playing centerfield and stuff like that,” Egbuka said. “So I think ball in the air, I feel very comfortable with it at all angles. That’s something I’ve always been really good at.”
Joe’s calling it the Kevin Kiermaier effect, for the former Rays centerfielder who has four Gold Glove awards to his name. Gold Glove the annual prize for baseball’s best defensive player at a specific position. Kiermaier, now with the Dodgers, never seemed out of range of making a play and rarely was. Simply extraordinary tracking of the ball.
Hopefully, Egbuka isn’t tasked with making too many off-script plays, but it certainly would be special if a few times a year he’s tracking deep balls down the seam far better than defensive backs and what the Bucs ever saw from Trey Palmer.
That skill might translate into another 1 or 2 points per game this season.
April 25th, 2025 at 5:31 pm
Kiermaier Is retired now he was never a dodger he won a ring but was never a dodger
April 25th, 2025 at 5:46 pm
His 40 time is better than Evans’ or McMillan’s.
April 25th, 2025 at 5:47 pm
“Lokog” – I was also going to say that he was retired, BUT YES, he did play for the Dodgers last season after being traded at the deadline by the Blue Jays. He actually, appeared in a couple of Pkayoff Games as well, but was just left off of the World Series Roster. And, YES, he did earn a ring!!!!
April 25th, 2025 at 5:51 pm
To be honest – we are over rating these 40 times. Godwin never looked quick at Penn State or the NFL but he is obviously fast enough because he has quite a bit of success on the NFL field.
Godwin ran a faster time than expected at the combine.
To me Egbuka looks on film faster than Godwin.
But I am not sure that everyone will agree.
On football field time is I am sure the bigger measure for these teams. I am surprised their GPS times are not leaking more often. That technology has been around for over 5 years.
April 25th, 2025 at 5:54 pm
Works for me.
April 25th, 2025 at 6:14 pm
In the little tape I’ve seen, you can see his ball tracking in action. He is will be great with contested balls too.
April 25th, 2025 at 6:41 pm
That ability might help Bakers long ball completion stats. Can’t wait!
April 25th, 2025 at 6:48 pm
I just read he ran a 4.45. not slow, but not exactly a burner. I read Godwin ran a 4.42. very close. Honestly, though, I’m not quite sure we drafted wisely. Time will tell. If he’s as good as Godwin that’s pretty darn good, but Godwin was a third round pick. The value seems off.
April 25th, 2025 at 7:05 pm
I feel this kis could be special on this team. Looking forward to watching him play.
April 25th, 2025 at 7:26 pm
Godwin had just turned 21 too, where EE will turn 23 not long after the season begins. It was safe, boring, and a reach at #19. It was SUCH a weak draft at WR, that HE would’ve been a ‘4th-Round’ Pick in last years draft, & that’s a FACT (even Urban Meyer said it, and HE absolutely LOVES the kid). That was one reason he came back and returned to OSU for his Senior Season… And, of course, NIL helped allow him to do that (as per Urban, who I am not a fan of btw). I was just wondering how JMac took it and was handling it right now… He couldn’t be ‘thrilled’ to death over it. Next years WR-class will be much better, but the 2027-class will be “SPECIAL,” generational, out of THIS WORLD.
April 25th, 2025 at 8:17 pm
I love this pick. This is another 3 contract receiver who retire a legendary Buc. Egbuka is a baller and he’s tough. I promise you will see him kick CB’s bootees and knock them around. Receivers get injured and we needed this. I liked watching him play this year. He is an Ike Hilliard Clutch receiver. Great Job Jason Licht.
April 25th, 2025 at 8:55 pm
I hate this pick and Joe is such a homer for not calling out the Bucs about it. They couldn’t get off the field against Washington. They have a top offense and a middling defense. They didn’t need to address a specific defensive position, but to ignore it entirely in the first round is GM malpractice.
April 25th, 2025 at 11:35 pm
BuhBye Trey “Jalen Dardung” Palmer. You suck,