Can The Rookie Receivers Carry The Bucs Into The Next Decade?
January 25th, 2026
Emeka Egbuka hauls in a long touchdown pass against Seattle.
Joe is as guilty as the rest.
As we slowly approach the free agency dinner bell ringing in a little over a month, March 11, a lot of Bucs fans are wringing their hands hoping iconic Bucs receiver Mike Evans returns for another season.
But because of Bucs fans worrying about Evans, Joe thinks many are overlooking the uncomfortable fact that Chris Godwin is entering the final year of guaranteed money in his contract.
As Joe has stated many times, the 2027 season could look a whole lot different for the Bucs; it’s not a stretch to think both Evans and Godwin won’t be with the team.
While losing both of those guys will hurt, maybe the Bucs found a pair of receivers in last year’s draft that may take the Bucs offense into the next decade.
When you combine the numbers for Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson, they both were an incredible pair.
No team in the NFL had more receiving yards from a pair of rookies like the Bucs did. And no one had more touchdowns from the same pair of rookies in 2026 than the Bucs. Houston also had 11 touchdowns from two different rookies this past season.
If new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson can somehow solve the riddle of where/why Egbuka went into hiding after the bye, and you factor in Jalen McMillan, the young Bucs receivers could carry the offense into the next decade.
January 25th, 2026 at 12:12 am
Well, the reasons Emeka Egbuka disappeared were two things:
Mayfield’s injury affected his accuracy
Once Godwin, and then Evans returned, Emeka Egbuka was targeted less
Mystery solved! š
January 25th, 2026 at 12:19 am
As to the headline, I think they will produce for years. It will take time for Tez to improve gradually though. Emeka Egbuka will imorove much quicker.
Now, I don’t know if Tez will become a full time starter eventually, but he should produce.
Unfortunately, I don’t trust Godwin to show loyalty..so well need to draft aother WR in 2027…but we need 2026 for defense…and maybe a late round steal on OG.
January 25th, 2026 at 12:37 am
They will most definitely carry us for many years to come
Draft a quality TE, another WR, we’re good to go
January 25th, 2026 at 12:52 am
His production went down when Mike went down..mystery solved
January 25th, 2026 at 1:08 am
Perhaps Robinson can convince Kyle Pitts to come over.
January 25th, 2026 at 1:24 am
Menās production declined because we refuse to play a back up quarterback when our starting quarterback is injured. Because of his MOXIE he refuses to not play and let his body heal and the HC is too much of a weenie to enforce it.
January 25th, 2026 at 1:24 am
Mekās productionā¦
January 25th, 2026 at 2:33 am
I was higher on Tez going into the season than just about anywhere here, but let’s not get crazy. I like Tez as a gadget guy and depth WR, but the fact he needed to start isn’t a good thing. Still, he way overperformed as most 7th rounders never see a snap in the NFL.
As for e2, yeah he drop a few, but a lot more often he was wide open and Baker missed him by a mile. If Baker doesn’t fall off a cliff in terms of production and accuracy, then e2 has a massive rookie year, well beyond here he ended up. He’s going to be a very very good player — but hopefully we’re still a couple of years away from having to see him in that top role as he splits time with Evans and Godwin – hopefully.
January 25th, 2026 at 5:11 am
I was really excited about Buka early on. Tez is well-rounded too. They are both young and maybe Zac will do the trick this upcoming season.
January 25th, 2026 at 5:19 am
I would agree with a yes on the Bucs young receivers taking them into the next decade. I think 3 things need to happen. 1. They have to stay healthy, as I ve said many times, maybe the Bucs need to take a good look at the training staff. I am aware this is to NFL a rough hard hitting game but, darn near every player on the team was out with an injury the pass 2 years and many multiple times. 2. Play calling. 3. As someone has already said Mayfield has to be more accurate, canāt catch a pass when it 5 ft over their head. I think thatās how Evans and McMillan both got hurt going up to catch a high pass
January 25th, 2026 at 5:33 am
Why has the staff not been working Culp as a receiver? His hands arenāt quite as good as Evansās, but he otherwise is a clone.
January 25th, 2026 at 6:09 am
Bucs need an Evans replacement. I think ME13 returns in 2026. After that 50/50. I think their 1st round pick in 2027 needs to be a tall, big, quick WR who high points the ball. Someone like Charlie Becker from IU that will be draft eligible in 2027. The 2026 draft needs to be used to fix the D.
January 25th, 2026 at 6:11 am
Bucs WRs EE, Tez and Jalen can absolutely help carry the Bucs into the future.
January 25th, 2026 at 7:03 am
And get one of these,guys.
1. Carnell Tate, Ohio State
2. Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
3. Makai Lemon, USC
4. Zachariah Branch, Georgia
5. Denzel Boston, Washington
January 25th, 2026 at 7:07 am
Atlanta buc and BB are dead on. Baker was injured and he sucked. Someone should of maned up and sat Baker. Yes we would of lost those games but we lost those games anyway. We could of had a healthy Baker down the stretch.
January 25th, 2026 at 7:09 am
Maybe – if Todd and his handpicked Teddy 2-gloves doesnāt get them killed or paralyzed in the preseason
January 25th, 2026 at 7:11 am
Lakeland … ‘Draft a quality TE, another WR, weāre good to go’.
It’s DEPTH that we’re missing on offense Lakeland. Every team ha to contend with injuries. If we don’t fix the DEPTH issue, future years will just be a replay of 2025.
Of course, on defense we need to replace probably half of our starters AND much of the DEPTH. Wishing also that we could replace the scheme, but that doesn’t look to be in the cards for 2026.
January 25th, 2026 at 7:12 am
What TDTB said–Culp is nearly the same size as Evans, (probably faster) has caught 6 of 7 lifetime targets for 94 yards and a tuddy. When Evans retires, we won’t HAVE a tall receiver anymore, which limits many things an OC can do. Guy never sees the field as a TE, is otherwise wasted
January 25th, 2026 at 7:13 am
I wish we could get Jameis as our backup, he’s a great interview
January 25th, 2026 at 7:17 am
Joe Chris godwin is signed thru 2027. He won’t become a free agent till 2028, He has a 2026 cap hit 33.6 and 2027 cap hit 29.9.
January 25th, 2026 at 7:27 am
Let’s see how the 2026 injuries report will affect the Bucs in 2026. The biggest problems in 2025 was the offensive line, Evans and Godwin, Bucky missing multiple games. Mayfield’s shoulder and knee injuries doomed the Bucs after the bye week.
The issue is the defense, because they were so up and down throughout the year. That’s the biggest question mark staring Todd Bowles in the face.
Lots of issues to address over the coming months.
January 25th, 2026 at 7:44 am
So many needs. So few draft picks.
January 25th, 2026 at 7:45 am
George R, I’m sure you are right.
January 25th, 2026 at 7:49 am
EE , Tez and JMac are very respectable ,,, wouldnāt mind them giving that practice squad guy (Greene?) a shot too
January 25th, 2026 at 8:17 am
“….Bucs fans are wringing their hands hoping iconic Bucs receiver Mike Evans returns for another season.”
– – – – – – – – – – – – –
No player on this roster is replacing ME. He is a first ballot HOFer for a reason. 50-50 jump balls? Count on Evans. Need a 1000 yards every season for 11 straight years, ONLY ME and some guy named Rice. Back shoulder TD in the red zone? Money in the bank. Draw double coverage so CG and EE are wide open? Its ME every game.
Some of you (GofortheFace, WBL) – rightfully – said you would not spend the money on resigning ME when we are already paying CG $22mm per and we spent a 1st round pick on EE. Ok, I can understand that logical, rational, normally correct thinking.
BUT I argue that since we kept Bowles, who cares what resources we give him when he is just going to waste them? Spend $40mm and trade valuable draft picks for a Maxx Crosby type to have him drop into coverage?! WHY??
I say resign ME. If Todd is coaching, the Bucs are NOT going to the SB, so I want to watch those spectacular catches and another 1000+ yards. I want to see our offense flourish and how awesome our WR group can be when the other team has to bracket coverage ME. At least our offense can be entertaining. The Bucs soft as Charmin defense is always going to be frustrating to watch as long as Todd is coaching it.
January 25th, 2026 at 8:49 am
āSome of you (GofortheFace, WBL) ā rightfully ā said you would not spend the money on resigning ME when we are already paying CG $22mm per and we spent a 1st round pick on EE. Ok, I can understand that logical, rational, normally correct thinking.ā
Never said that brother lol
I spoke on Mikesā value
Our season turned the day he broke his collarbone.
GoForTheFace said thereās no reason to pay Evans & Godwin $20M at their age.
The way I feel about that is, say hypothetically thatās the case.
Youāre then telling me Evans & Godwin combined arenāt worth the $4 weāre paying Uncle Rico by himself? $30M of that is a roster bonus, $10M base?
Iām not against drafting another WR either, Shepard needs replacing and Tez isnāt a lock to make the roster if we do bring in more talent at the
January 25th, 2026 at 9:01 am
Tez is obviously small and JMac looks small.
Gonna need a big body to replace ME.
January 25th, 2026 at 9:05 am
WBL, sorry about that. That was what I thought I remembered, but then, being old, I have occasional Alzheimer moments.
“Uncle Rico”, – LMAO – I had to google that. Sorry, I am a Baker fan. Yes, I think Godwin and Evans are worth whatever it takes. They make Baker better and IMO, the Baker of the first half of ’25 makes them more valuable. I believe that the Baker that went 6-2 will return. If not? We draft a QB in the 1st rd of ’27.
I see all the criticisms of Baker, but I do not see anyone who offers alternative solutions. It is easy to give criticism – give me a solution to the problem. Who would you have be the Bucs QB in ’26??
January 25th, 2026 at 9:10 am
And I completely agree with you on Tez and Shep. The only thing is, IMO, we have bigger needs for those draft picks. But maybe we should quit wasting those valuable draft picks on the defensive side of the ball, unless Licht can find an Edge rusher that can both get to the QB and drop into coverage, literally, a Super Hero kind of guy. I think the Hulk is a FA
January 25th, 2026 at 9:27 am
I love them both but evans or Godwin need to go…. number one makes no sense to pay them both when we have other needs… number two we need to see these new guys take the reins.
January 25th, 2026 at 9:31 am
āI see all the criticisms of Baker, but I do not see anyone who offers alternative solutions. It is easy to give criticism ā give me a solution to the problem. Who would you have be the Bucs QB in ā26?ā
Hereās my deal, just because Iām not the biggest fan of Mayfield doesnāt mean I donāt want him to play out his last year of his deal. Donāt think an extension should even be in the discussion until the 2026 season starts.
What I donāt want us to do, is paint ourselves in a corner(again).
Donāt care about the phantom injury, everything Mayfield struggles with is not injured related and just comes with who he is as a player. So Iām not in the ālet him healā and weāll see camp, thatās just the natural progression of things and not up for anybody to decide.
Now unrealistically? Iād go after Malik Willis, or inquire about Will Levis. Iām looking more for potential if we pick up a FA in a messy QB FA class.
Drafting or signing a UDFA QB on the other is a different ball game. There are a few QBs Iāve mentioned here that are bargain bin guys, but they come with different tools than Baker or are put together differently athletically. Mentioned with having a new OC, a nice little sidequest installing his offense would be getting a rookie in the building, someone perhaps closer to Robinsonsā ideal QB rather than the incumbent starter heās inheriting.
Stated in another thread, there was a clear difference in our offensive ability before and after that Detroit game.
As much as we lauded Egbuka, his first career TD came on the heels of ME taking a CB & safety on a dummy mission into the middle of the field, as Evans pretty much āboxedā them out to clear a lane for EE to beat his man and pop his NFL cherry(ayo)
January 25th, 2026 at 9:33 am
LOTS of dead money or whatever you call it tied to Godwin, he’s not going anywhere
January 25th, 2026 at 9:37 am
If Bucs move on from Godwin or Evans retires next year.. I wouldnāt mind Bucs drafting Jeremiah Smith..
Smith
Emeka
Jmac
Tez
January 25th, 2026 at 9:54 am
āAnd I completely agree with you on Tez and Shep. The only thing is, IMO, we have bigger needs for those draft picks.ā
Agreed, Iām not saying spend anything better than a day 2-3, but just looking at the talent in this upcoming WR class and given the fact we may have a vacancy or two, we likely wonāt be looking for FAs there.
Pair that with a WR glass that has a lot of day 2 talent that may end up pushing other day 2 talent down into day 3.
Iāve seen guys like Skyler Bell from UConn & Hykeem Williams out of Colorado as day 3 picks and all I can think is āĀæcomo?ā.
As far as QBs, my draft crush outside of Landon Robinson, is Jack Strand. Set aside the that he plays D-2, but just watch him play then imagine him on the field with 10 players w/NFL level talent. Big, strong QB, not a natural dual threat but can move. Mentioned Haynes King, and Iāll come out as a fan of Cole Payton from NDSU(tell Mauch put the call in). Those 2 are more the dual threat build, with Payton imo being a better passer than King, but King played higher comp.
Point is, we donāt have to do anything rash to scratch the itch for more talent in the QB room.
January 25th, 2026 at 10:23 am
Donāt forget Jalen who looked awesome at the end of the year
January 25th, 2026 at 11:08 am
I like Tez and Egbuka will be great but the Bucs were using the wrong personnel for a long stretch there without Godwin Evans and JMac.
What Baker does best is fire 7 foot high fastballs. Asking Tez and Sterling to go be targets for that didnāt work and wonāt ever work. Those guys move horizontally and needed Baker roll outs to be seen clearly.
We needed Culp, Durham andā¦ Houston (6ā1) getting more reps and giving Baker a bigger target.
JMac isnāt big but heās got a couple inches on those smaller guys and can track the ball while climbing the ladder. Not worried about him at all.
January 25th, 2026 at 12:00 pm
If Evans is gone, they are definitely going to need a big target, contested catch wide receiver – something they definitely do not have right now. Of course, as I have been saying for more than a year, they should try Devin Culp in that role, since they don’t use him as a tight end anyway. He’s got roughly the same build and speed as Evans.
January 25th, 2026 at 12:35 pm
Itās a damn shame that those 2 had to waste 5 years of their careers with having Todd as their head coach.
Damn shame.
January 25th, 2026 at 12:48 pm
100% Baker was injured but HAD TO PLAY bc Teddy Bridewater was not ready for the NFL. Another Licht mistake. So,, Baker went out injured and played.
Malpractice on the part of our front office. SMDH. Reddick? Zyon? Godwin? SO many mistakes of late by Licht. No edge. No LBs.
This was never a SB talent team. Even thinking so was a mistake.
January 25th, 2026 at 1:05 pm
“Now unrealistically? Iād go after Malik Willis, or inquire about Will Levis. Iām looking more for potential if we pick up a FA in a messy QB FA class….. Drafting or signing a UDFA QB on the other is a different ball game. There are a few QBs Iāve mentioned here that are bargain bin guys…”
WBL, you and I are typically in agreement. (the Bucs should make us the GM, we’d be in the SB in 2 years max… ) And I agree with the above. But we don’t have a Shannahan, McVay, Reid and maybe Ben Johnson (too early). I don’t believe McD or Harbaugh or Tomlin are all that. There are very few of those around. If Robinson is that type of miracle worker, he will be gone next year as the HC of _____________. Bowles is certainly not that guy, its another reason we should have jettisoned him.
Where is our future? Bowles may do a lot of good things, like develop a great locker room, but I want a HC that can develop a friggin EDGE or a QB or something. I want coaching and teaching and developing. Isn’t that what a coach is for?
January 25th, 2026 at 2:13 pm
āWBL, you and I are typically in agreement. (the Bucs should make us the GM, weād be in the SB in 2 years maxā¦ ) And I agree with the above.ā
Iād be too busy with the equipement team hoarding merch for when I woke up from that dream. Iād have a satin jacket in every team color imaginable, with the everything else to match. Players? Iām too busy being one in all this discounted and free stuff š¤£
āBut we donāt have a Shannahan, McVay, Reid and maybe Ben Johnson (too early). I donāt believe McD or Harbaugh or Tomlin are all that.ā
Donāt have to, we got more than enough talent on hand and obviously will add more the deeper we get into the off-season for Zac Robinson to figure out what he can make with our ingredients.
Donāt think itāll take a miracle, but thereās going to be a buy-in process, then heāll have to find out who fits where and how. To call and say what it will or will not be is too soon, but I am looking forward to hearing from Robinson whenever he speaks and what heās saying at the combine. Thatāll be our first little sign or what heāll be trying to give to our offense in terms of identity.
I hope itās heavily steeped in the run game, and we take a step further and go from primarily zone/gap and make the backbone of our offense a hybridization of the 2. McVay is lining up WRs whose names I donāt remember in at FB and running routes into the redzone out of the backfield. Iāll take some of that, but not with Tez tho lol
January 25th, 2026 at 2:23 pm
The recievers are more than adequate. We need better planning (schemes/game plans) and execution. And we need better Baker.
January 25th, 2026 at 2:53 pm
They drafted a WR in the 1st round.. still makes me mad. A 4th string WR because he’s a good guy.
January 25th, 2026 at 3:33 pm
The correct move will be to move them BOTH, before next seasonās deadline. And, anyone else we possibly can. Then, DRAFT a true legit #1-WR in either the 2027 or 2028 Drafts. You pair a certified bonafide #1-WR with EE, JMac, & Good Ole Tez, then weāve really got something there, for our future young STUD QB on his ārookieā deal.
Just DONāT draft your QB BEFORE your roster is rebuilt. It is THE āDUMBESTā THING EVER to do! And, thatās WHY we continue to witness the SAME TEAMS doing it over and over & again and again. Theyāre putting their young franchise QBās in just HORRENDOUS situations, with NO CHANCE to succeed. It NEVER works-out, and you just DESTROYED your young Quarterback. And, THEN YOUāRE FIRED.
The āmoveā is a solid veteran ābridge,ā when you donāt have the roster to protect him. And, the Bucs WONāT have the roster, because IF they are āsmart,ā they will move EVERY single available āpieceā with value, that THEY CAN. Especially, with an āAll-Timeā LOADED 2027-Draft. Where you can get āearlyā 2nd-Round Talent in a typical draft, all throughout the 4TH-ROUND. Also, when you get such a STRONG Draft like this, there will be ācarryoversā who will decide to wait until the next yearās draft. The Bucs NEED to āstockpileā at least 10-12 PICKS in each draft for both 2027 and 2028.
You pair all those picks, all those ASSETS, with a FAT amount of available CAP SPACE, and itāll be a very āattractiveā job for any ELITE Young GM (and HC) worth his salt! If you get the GM right, then HE WILL land the ārightā HC (&/or vice-versa). You give them FULL control and autonomy over an entire ROSTER makeover, with a complete rebuild. With the Bucs Ownership/FO recent history, theyāll know that theyāll be allowed the proper amount of time, to GET-IT DONE. Itāll be a whole lot a fun and very exciting to see!!!!
Build the team and franchise back for LONGTERM, SUSTAINED SUCCESS. It can be back and on the right track within just two drafts and two free agency periods, with the ārightā moves, under the ārightā leadership. Iām talking āmovingā EVERY available piece, that has ANY value whatsoever. Total, complete OVERHAUL. We are NOT ābuiltā for sustained longterm success, as currently constructed. It HAS TO Happen. Tell me IF YOU can find even SEVEN āWINSā on next seasonās home/away schedule, and Iāll kiss yourā¦
January 25th, 2026 at 3:43 pm
9-Wins next season is their absolute ceilingā¦ That is CEILING. Ceiling. That is IF they can finish at least 4-2 in the division, and have a little āLUCKā along the way! Now, let that sink in. Itās the reality of the situation at hand, here.
January 25th, 2026 at 8:30 pm
Yeah, if we get rid of bakerā¦..sure they can!
January 26th, 2026 at 7:46 pm
Egbuka, put everything in when Mike went down. He was on the field more than anyone carving his own place in the NFL. The bye and the punishment he had taken caught up. Add the mental things in and I think he beat himself up about those little things and it was a constant drain.
January 27th, 2026 at 1:21 am
I think we saw what life without is like. Good but not yet as good as Mkie and Chris. Neither one was really scaring anyone. Buka has a chance to really show out this year I think though.
Go Bucs!