Jason Licht On Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin And The Bucs’ Passing Game
May 5th, 2025
National radio spot.
Last week Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht shed more behind his decision to draft Emeka Egbuka at No. 19 and added intel on Chris Godwin’s rehab.
This information came by way of “Schein on Sports” hosted by popular national sports radio and TV personality Adam Schein, heard exclusively on SiriusXM Radio.
Schein, of course, wanted background on why he and the Bucs thought Egbuka was the way to go over, say, an inside linebacker in the first round.
“He’s as high of a character player that we have come across in the draft process in recent years,” Licht said. “When he showed up [the morning after he was drafted], and of course, we’ve talked to him in the process at the combine, and scouts have been around him all year, but when he came in with his family, it just, you know, you could just see why he was such a great kid.
“Just a great mom, great dad, great stepdad. But you know, going into the process, through the process,
“You kind of have to forecast a little bit who’s going to be there at 19 or wherever you’re picking. And I like to kind of narrow down to three to five players that we think realistically could be there, and he was at the top of that list.
“And of course, then you get on Thursday morning, I start getting real nervous. ‘Well, shoot, maybe not. He’s not going to be there. But he was. It was an easy selection for us.”
Todd Bowles shocked the football world a month ago when he told assembled #NFLMedia and Joe at the owners meetings that if the right receiver was available at No. 19, he’d have zero issue drafting him because “You win by scoring points.”
Joe still remembers how the ground shook under when Bowles said that. Turns out, Bowles already knew who the Bucs would draft, Licht hinted.
“Todd and I were both in agreement for a long time that [if Egbuka] was there, he would be the pick,” Licht said. “Just a great fit culturally, but also a really good player that can play all three receiver spots for us.”
And no, Licht said, drafting Egbuka is not a clue that Chris Godwin’s return from a dislocated ankle is in doubt.
Licht said that the target date for Godwin’s return is still Week 1. However, he noted Egbuka gives Godwin a cushion to dial back his rehab if needed.
“It just had nothing to do with Chris and us worried about Chris and his rehab,” Licht declared. “This is all about the present and the future, because I think [Egbuka is] a perfect fit into this [receivers] room.”
In the immediate aftermath of the draft, Joe saw advanced wide receiver stats for the Bucs in the four games that both Evans and Godwin missed when the Bucs went 0-4 (Jamel Dean also was out those same four games).
Those advanced receiving stats were terrible and the author (Joe didn’t save it) added, “You want to know why the Bucs drafted Emeka Egbuka? Here it is.”
Licht didn’t deny to Schein the passing game suffered mightily without Evans and Godwin.
“Last year we went through, as you know, Mike and Chris being out, and you know, when they were out, we weren’t winning a lot of football games,” Licht said.
The Bucs also got a pair of corners who at the very least should give the Bucs good depth at the positon. And they got two players who might surprise with their play at outside linebacker and defensive line.
With Evans being 32 and in a contract year, and Godwin a great unknown, despite Licht’s confidence, more and more the selection of Egbuka looks downright savvy.
May 5th, 2025 at 7:14 am
Apologies, Joe fixed the errors in this post.–Joe
May 5th, 2025 at 7:31 am
Bucs might just have drafted the best receiver in the draft, Egbuka, and the best corner in the draft, Morrison.
May 5th, 2025 at 7:56 am
The putrid pass Defense needs to improve. If we can get a rush with the four guys that’s our ticket to fame. It’s all about timely sacks from the pass rush and getting off the field on third down. go Bucs
May 5th, 2025 at 8:04 am
I still would prefer LB3 …. an explosive element that none of the other wide receivers projected to start have and I don’t consider Tez as a starter… ever!
May 5th, 2025 at 8:16 am
Egbuka is currently ranked #8 for OROY.
May 5th, 2025 at 8:30 am
Apologies, Joe fixed the errors in this post.–Joe
May 5th, 2025 at 8:30 am
Apologies, Joe fixed the errors in this post.–Joe
May 5th, 2025 at 8:38 am
Still think the Bucs need to sign another Vet LB and trade for Jalen Ramsey.
May 5th, 2025 at 8:53 am
There are always juicy veterans cut between now and preseason and during the final cut down when teams have to get to 53 , players that teams could not trade or were forced off rosters due to the cold calculating nature of the business side of the NFL.
Tampa is in great shape for top talent long in the tooth and still able to play the game at a high level
May 5th, 2025 at 9:05 am
Draft picks are a gamble. It’s always fun to see how they turn out. Licht has a pretty good score here plus his UDFAs. Speaking of Defense and UDFAs, I’m pulling for that young monster DLineman from UF.
May 5th, 2025 at 9:10 am
Licht: “a really good player that can play all three receiver spots for us”.
I had been wondering where EE would get most of his snaps, as he played mostly slot at OSU. I’m very happy that he has the versatility to play all three. I bet Grizz is drawing up some different looks adding EE into the lineup.
May 5th, 2025 at 9:26 am
How are his hamstrings? We sure get a pile of sore hammies.
May 5th, 2025 at 9:32 am
Statistically – almost half of all 1st round draft picks don’t work out for the team that drafts them….
This is even more applicable to players drafted in the back half of the 1st round…
If there’s a guy you love – a player with impeccable character that you had rated in your top 10 players sitting there at 19 – that’s basically a no brainer…
BPA is always the best way to go in round 1 of the NFL draft.
Remember when Dominic was desperate to fill a need at safety – and chose Mark Barron over Luke Kuechly? Because he already had Mason Foster at MLB… Perfect example of what NOT to do….
May 5th, 2025 at 12:27 pm
Funny how some fans assume the pass rusher we could have drafted at #19 – was going to be our pass rusher #3 or higher. (without question / no bust potential)
GO Bucs!!!
May 5th, 2025 at 12:41 pm
In the game Evans and Godwin were out, Mayfield was in more danger of getting beat up if memory serves. So an insurance receiver also protects your QB some.
May 5th, 2025 at 2:29 pm
Never ceases to amaze me how 1 sentence can be turned into so many articles or such a big deal in the eyes of JBF readers.
May 5th, 2025 at 2:34 pm
Maybe because words matter?
May 5th, 2025 at 3:12 pm
Pickgrin
As usual you bring common sense to this place! Your post on the next thread is also spot on.
May 5th, 2025 at 3:30 pm
I hope we draft another WR in the 1at round next year too!
We don’t need an offensive linemen next year.
We wont need a TE next year either. Safety neither.
Next years NEEDS
1. ILB
That’s it! TE, Safety, RB, OL, DL, QB: set
That’s crazy!
That means we don’t technically have ANY “needs” again next year!
So?
We can “draft for the dynasty” as I call it.
Next year?
Round 1: WR
Round 2: NT/DT
Round 3: ILB
Round 4: CB
I want “dynastic depth”
A team where rookies are rarely if ever forced to start their first year.