Grading The Rookies
February 13th, 2026
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
Joe gets why, before the dust is even settling on the draft each spring, half the media outlets in the western world are already pumping out draft grades.
It’s kind of irresponsible. A decent gauge on a draft class can’t be had until after three seasons. By then, you have a good idea if a guy has panned out or not.
But Joe understands we live in a microwave, artificial intelligence, instant pudding, DoorDash society. We want our information now and by God, we’ll get it.
So Joe applauds Gennaro Filice of NFL.com, who decided to wait until at least after the Super Bowl to figure out how to grade each team’s draft class from this past spring.
Filice seems to have a bit higher grade on the Bucs’ draft class than Joe would have thrown out. Filice gave a B+ grade.
Modern offenses want receivers who can move all over the formation, like Emeka Egbuka. Modern defenses want cornerbacks who can play inside and outside, like Jacob Parrish. Nice to check two trend boxes in one draft.
As a prospect, Egbuka was actually viewed by many as a slot-only receiver, but he took two-thirds of his snaps on the perimeter in Year 1. The production waned in the second half of the season, as Tampa Bay’s receiving corps returned to health, but Egbuka still finished with the second-most receiving yards (938) and the highest yards-per-catch figure (14.9) in this rookie class, proving he can win in all areas at the NFL level. Parrish was a Day 1 starter at nickelback, and he excelled as a physical presence on the inside all season long. At times, though, injuries forced him outside, and the 5-10, 198-pounder acquitted himself quite well. Todd Bowles, a former NFL defensive back and longtime secondary coach, absolutely loves Parrish, recently calling him Tampa Bay’s best corner in 2025.
Joe thinks the Bucs’ best rookie was cornerback Jacob Parrish. He was good from Week 1 and improved as the season transpired.
Now Joe loves Emeka Egbuka, but… what happened? He truly had a bipolar season. The first half of the season Egbuka was absolutely on fire. He seemed like Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht’s biggest steal since Tristan Wirfs.
Then, after the loss to New England in the first game after the bye, Egbuka vanished. He ended up in the federal witness protection program when the team needed him the most, something that never happened when Egbuka was at Ohio State.
What happened? Did Baker Mayfield’s nosedive drag Egbuka down? Did defenses figure him out? Was Egbuka hiding an injury? Did the rookie wall nuke Egbuka of all his gas?
It’s a question Joe is going to carry into training camp, wondering which Egbuka will show up (hopefully, it was the first-half stud).
Benjamin Morrison was drafted, Joe is pretty sure, to replace Jamel Dean. Well, Morrison missed enough games to mimic Dean, so Joe guesses the succession plan is working.
Tez Johnson was a very, very nice find in the seventh round. And “this Joe” believes Parrish and Johnson, based on their entire rookie seasons, were the two best players selected by the Bucs in 2025.
So far.
February 13th, 2026 at 1:08 am
Using Joe’s three year scale, my hope is that Walker is considered the steal of the draft. If that happens, then this may have been Licht’s best draft, top to bottom.
February 13th, 2026 at 1:23 am
Like someone else said, Egbuka looks like a bust. A mentally weak player who thought he had it all going on before teams adjusted and snuffed him out. At least he plays for a Todd Bowles coached team, where he has the chance to develop and thrive.
February 13th, 2026 at 2:04 am
2025 was an excellent draft IMO. Top to Bottom. B+ at least. Maybe A- after 1 year…..
1. EE was a great pick at #19. He displayed top 10 level talent right out the gate. Egbuka will be catching 60+ passes a year in Tampa Bay for at least the next 10 years.
2. Morrison missed a few games and played through a couple injuries – but he absolutely flashed enough when he was out there to give confidence he can become a solid cornerback in this league.
3 Parrish – stud from day 1. He’s shorter than Todd likes but who cares – the kid can ball! Pro Bowl level potential…
4 Walker – red shirt rookie year – lets hope he’s as good as the Bucs think he will be. Bucs are desperate to find solid or better play from the ROLB spot.
5. Roberts – wound up playing more than expected due to injuries and very much held his own when out there for a rookie 5th rounder. Solid rookie year with room to grow….
6 Tez – showed he should have been selected at least 100 spots sooner than he was…. This kid is no Trey Palmer or Kenny Bell – he’s a legit NFL receiver with skills and speed and a touch of pizazz.
February 13th, 2026 at 2:09 am
Tez was honestly quite a surprise to me. He’s not going to be a true workhorse, but he’s already pretty darn good. I was really disappointed with Morrison. He had just came off fairly major surgery on both hips. Maybe next year. Gotta agree with TBbucFan about Walker. Nobody mentioned Elijah Roberts. I’d say he’s already better than Hall.
February 13th, 2026 at 7:00 am
Not sure I’d consider Johnson a better pick because EE fell off. At best Johnson would still project as a great role player while EE could end up being another JSN.
“Other Joe” here. Can’t go there, either, Tez fell off the map as much or more than Egbuka did — 40 total receiving yards in his last six games, and he lost the returner job in training camp.–Joe
I’m looking forward to seeing if Roberts can develop into a starter. He shows that potential and as mentioned by another poster walker is the piece that could make the class special if they pan out.
Morrison is a concern. Forget the injuries, when he was out there he looked very confused at times and it resulted in plays that probably cost the Bucs a game…New England.
Not sure what it is with Licht and 2nd round picks. He has to get that fixed. Those have to be regular contributors
February 13th, 2026 at 8:01 am
Dude missed ALL of training camp and preseason
February 13th, 2026 at 8:23 am
“5. Roberts – wound up playing more than expected due to injuries and very much held his own when out there for a rookie 5th rounder. Solid rookie year with room to grow….”
Great breakdown and agreed. Roberts started taking snaps away from Logan Hall.
I think he and Elijah Simmons can grow with us and be contributors, especially the latter who we plucked off the AZ roster after Kancey went down.
February 13th, 2026 at 8:38 am
“Benjamin Morrison was drafted, Joe is pretty sure, to replace Jamel Dean. Well, Morrison missed enough games to mimic Dean, so Joe guesses the succession plan is working.”.
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LMAO 🤣🤣🤣
February 13th, 2026 at 8:45 am
“…Parrish and Johnson, based on their entire rookie seasons, were the two best players selected by the Bucs in 2025.”
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I don’t agree that you do not include EE. Almost 1000 yards and averaging 14.9 yards per catch is pretty darn eye catching.
If you want to say, two of the best selected “considering where they were drafted”, then you at least have an argument. But to say “two of the best players” that would imply who do you expect the most from going forward, and that is clearly EE and Parrish.
February 13th, 2026 at 8:50 am
Love when folks develop opinions of players after 1 season.
Ronde, Brian Kelly..hell Sapp, all would have been labeled bust by this crew of experts.
Truth is EE had an exceptional rookie year. They guy was coming off a very long last college season then right to the combine, draft and rookie mini camp, training camp and then was a starter day 1. Battled thru injury, some average play calling, inconsistent QB play in the last 7 games.
Morrison was coming off major surgery, and is playing the toughest position on defense for a rookie.
Parrish was excellent for a rookie who started right out of gate and will only get better.
Walker had an unfortunate injury, but all signs pointed to a guy who has a chance to bring some juice as an edge.
Roberts was a surprise that showed he can be a good DL to provide depth and a rotational player at worst.
Tez, was the best 7th round pick of the draft. He can develop into the punt returner and also bring play ability to the WR corps.
We shall see how things shake out next year, but it’s a very promising class.
Well done JL.
February 13th, 2026 at 9:07 am
@PIckgrin, good post.
6 draft picks and we get EE, Parrish, Roberts and Tez. 4 out of 6 is a very good draft. And we can still have some “hope” for Morrison and future Super Bowl corner piece Walker. That would be possible 6 out of 6. Not bad Mr Licht.
But Mr Licht, where is our friggin Edge? or wicked DT that DR wants so badly (I agree)? Or our ILB? With the draft capital that has been spent on the front 7 in the past few years, you and Todd, suck.
JTS, Braswell (who is going to surprise us), Hall, etc. are nothing but wasted high draft picks. High draft picks that you should have a higher success rate on. Jason, you have to take responsibility here. Go find us a front 7 this offseason!
This draft is said to be loaded for Edge rushers. DRAFT ONE and sign one in free agency. Doesn’t have to be Hendrickson or Crosby, but a Shaq would be awesome.
Licht, until this year, Buc fans spoke of you as one of the best in the NFL. This year, you do NOT look like John Schneider, Les Snead, or Howie. Is it fair to make that comparison? F YES, we are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers!!!
GO BUCS!!!
February 13th, 2026 at 9:30 am
That list is kind of meh, there is no way Carolina or the Jets are “ranked Higher” than the Bucs class. The Giants class is also smoke and mirrors, Skat was hurt in October and sorry 4 sacks from the number 2 pick in the draft is underwhelming.
February 13th, 2026 at 10:00 am
I think it was a Great Draft, but again Coaching on both sides of the ball was disappointing.
Don’t forget 2 Undrafted signings that could end up being very good
Benjamin Chukwuma OT
JJ Roberts S – on IR all year
February 13th, 2026 at 10:20 am
yea this horrible “grading the rookies” practice is almost as irresponsible as coronating the offensive rookie of the year after 6 games. almost.
lol
February 13th, 2026 at 10:52 am
With last year’s 🙌 successful draft class and (hopefully a repeat of last year’s draft class in 2026) the Bucs are positioning themselves for a breakout year. Somehow we need to sign an edge rusher, whether through the draft or free agency, then our Super Bowl aspersions could happen.
Hiring the experienced Robinson as our new OC will also go a long way in making the Bucs a true contender.
February 13th, 2026 at 12:14 pm
I still think Morrison is gonna pan out and have a very good career. Time will tell.
February 13th, 2026 at 1:48 pm
“5. Roberts – wound up playing more than expected due to injuries and very much held his own when out there for a rookie 5th rounder. Solid rookie year with room to grow….”
This, Roberts managed to cut into Logan Halls’ reps.
Also, I’d include Elijah Simmons who we poached off the AZ practice squad and he showed up pretty violently.
Both Elijahs could grow into strong(pun intended) contributors for us as long as they stay healthy and keep up with the program
February 13th, 2026 at 2:15 pm
Joe thinks the Bucs’ best rookie was cornerback Jacob Parrish. He was good from Week 1 and improved as the season transpired.
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Parish was really good, but I’m still giving the team award to e2, who’s season was completely ruined by Baker going into a severe and extended slump. If Baker wasn’t awful from week 7-17, e2 has the best rookie WR season in team history.
Morrison I’m not worried about yet, I think he continues to improve.
Elijah Roberts ended up being a solid player, in particular considering he’s a rookie playing defensive line, they generally take a while to develop. That is very promising. He’s not going to rack up numbers in this defense at that position, but he was basically a plug and play near starting level guy, which for a 5th round rookie DL is great.
Then of course Tez greatly outperformed his 7th round selection. Again if Baker doesn’t ruin the season for the team, isn’t passing for 122 yards and 145 yards with the season on the line, it would have been interesting to see what he’d do as more of a depth WR since he’d be drawing CB4 and CB5 and backup safeties going against him. But he looked great, a huge value.
Overall it was another very good draft class from Licht, and we still got Walker coming back as well.
February 13th, 2026 at 2:18 pm
Parrish and Roberts were pleasant surprises!!!
hopefully walker and morrison can join the party
GO BUCS!!!!
February 13th, 2026 at 2:43 pm
People are calling EE a bust ? Mentally weak ? Lol.
Same people who said Tez would flop and be never see the field 🙄
@Pickgrin
I agree with your take
February 13th, 2026 at 3:02 pm
passed on the rookie of the year at a position of need to draft a WR4
February 13th, 2026 at 6:19 pm
Egbuka took a nose dive when our guards went down. We stopped throwing further than 5 yards.