Mike Evans: “He’s Going To Be An Unbelievable Playmaker”
July 29th, 2025
Mike Evans’ review of the Bucaneers’ rookie first-round pick is in.
Evans delivered it this evening before practice kicks off at 7 p.m. The greatest receiver in franchise history was asked to update his impressions of Emeka Egbuka after five days of training camp, including one day in pads.
“I’ve seen what I’ve expected to see from Emeka,” Evans said, “already a true professional. He’s going to be an unbelievable playmaker and have a great career in this league.”
That’s special praise from Evans, who doesn’t throw around those types of comments for rookies. In June, Evans compared Egbuka to Chris Godwin.
“Emeka’s really strong hands, super smart … he looks like a running back but he catches like Chris Godwin,” Evans said at minicamp. “He’s a very polished, very well-rounded player.”
Today, Joe believes Evans really took the Egbuka love a significant step further. Joe would caution Bucs fans to temper expectations, but Egbuka simply looks the part of a true No. 1 receiver in every practice.
July 29th, 2025 at 7:00 pm
That, ladies and gentlemen, is a gold-standard endorsement!
September can’t get here quick enough.
July 29th, 2025 at 7:08 pm
That means when Godwin Jr. comes back, we will have 3(!!!) number one receivers on the field AT THE SAME TIME, ladies and gentlemen.
July 29th, 2025 at 7:13 pm
The offensive game plan should be:
1 Figure out which number one receiver(s) are getting double coverage.
2. Throw deep to the receiver that has single coverage.
3. Rinse and repeat.
July 29th, 2025 at 7:24 pm
Keeping it real from the cheap seats:
I like the endorsement, but let’s not go crazy.
When was the last time, in the history of sports, a player disparaged a teammate he’d known for only a few days, especially to the press? Uh … never!
Could you imagine Evans spouting, “I’ve only known him since camp began and I gotta be honest here. I’ve never met a man with less hustle and a worse attitude. He drops most everything thrown his way and can’t remember the playbook. If I were Jason I’d dump him in a New York Minute.”
Even Tim Tebow called Aaron Hernandez, his ex-Gator teammate, a “good guy” to Tom Brady after Tebow’s Broncos lost a game to the Patriots. We all know the rest of that story. And we also know good teammates have each other’s back. So props to Tebow.
I sincerely hope Egbuka becomes everything he is cracked up to be, and more!
But even for Evans, it’s too early to tell …
July 29th, 2025 at 7:35 pm
I’m half with you JA.
Mike Evans for instance has said great things about every QB that he has ever played with. Not just good stuff but very good compliements.
It seems that Evans actually excels in giving compliments to others.
The thing I would say, is that players and coaches sometimes can tell which guys on the team excel to a level others do not.
For instance, Arians while at Arizona actually wanted Ameer Abudullah of Nebraska in the 2nd round. Instead, the Detroit Lions took him 4 picks before Arizona picked. A round later they settled for David Johnson from Northern Iowa. Once he was in pads in camp, they knew that they had stolen him in the 3rd round. Sometimes you can tell.
July 29th, 2025 at 7:39 pm
Hear the Atlanta beat writer today on Satellite Radio. He said the floor for the Falcons is 9 wins and ceiling is anyone’s guess. Said one of their two top pass rushing draft picks first-rounders may not play the position they thought and instead be an inside linebacker. Said major weakness on defense is against the run. Thinks they will be a top 5 offense.
July 29th, 2025 at 7:48 pm
Please don’t jinx him. Everytime a rookie is hyped up, Kancey, Walker, I won’t even say it. Shhhh
July 29th, 2025 at 7:49 pm
Geno. That is correct. Just like in Stocks, sometimes the best move you make are the ones you don’t make! But all signs point to Ebuka being a multi bagger
July 29th, 2025 at 8:00 pm
You can’t miss with a first round pick….looks like we didn’t.
July 29th, 2025 at 8:14 pm
My question is can he take a nfl type hit
July 29th, 2025 at 8:17 pm
all this hype making everyone expect big things from the eggman…
oh how sweet it would be if the young man is polished from the jump!
July 29th, 2025 at 8:40 pm
Geno—
Agree with your agreement.
Ya just never know until the pudding is mixed with proof.
Should be an interesting year.
For all of us here, who claim knowledge or opinion, I think we all agree the ‘faster than a speeding bullet’ 18 weeks of the year awaits us come early September.
July 29th, 2025 at 9:57 pm
take it with a grain of salt…Evans is too classy to say anything else
July 30th, 2025 at 2:10 am
My favorite part is all this love thrown his way is probably making MacMillan step it up even more!
I’d love to see those 4 at WR to start the season, but I don’t think Godwin is going to be there right away
July 30th, 2025 at 4:52 am
Mike Evans doesn’t give out kudos to just anyone. He is selective and always humble while giving out praises to other players around the league and on the Bucs. I take his words whole-hardheartedly about Emeka. Mike is top-notch!
July 30th, 2025 at 8:03 am
JA
You set up a false premise with no choice. Of course ME nor any NFL player is going to trash a teammate but they always have the option of simply remaining quiet or if asked directly say something short and simple..yeah he’s looking good.
All the rest of ME’s statement clearly reflects what he CLEARLY believes.
Jude
Obviously agree with you!
July 30th, 2025 at 9:12 am
Is Evans looking at retirement and seeing the guy who will make that transition a lot easier for everyone to accept?
July 30th, 2025 at 11:37 am
Evans would not leave a disparaging comment, he just would leave no comment at all.
July 30th, 2025 at 1:03 pm
Courage is the most important trait of a WR.
If a WR can’t take a hit, he can’t play.