Emeka Egbuka Wants To Be More Of A Running Back
August 2nd, 2026
Emeka Egbuka is a wide receiver with elite standards.
The young man really is a Chris Godwin clone: focused, driven, operating at a higher level than his peers.
During a sitdown last week with former Cardinals general manager Steve Keim, Ebuka talked to the Inside Football host about what he’s emphasizing when it comes to improving his game.
“One thing that I focused on a lot is kind of playing without a governor at times,” Ebuka said. “That transition from college to the NFL, the plays are more bang-bang. The safety’s going to be there quicker when you catch it. And I think, you know, subconciously, on some plays were I could have caught it and started running right away, I’m like catching it and then evaluting my surroundings and then trying to run after the catch. But I feel so dynamic with the ball in my hands, and trusting that a little bit more and becoming just more of a running back with the ball in my hands after I catch the ball is a huge point of emphasis for me this year.”
What a cool approach. And yes, more YAC (yards after catch) from Egbuka would be a beautiful team. He’s built strong enough to break tackles and run through or some defensive backs.
As for his quarterback, Egbuka said he and Baker Mayfield are in lockstep because their perfectionists. He said he and Mayfield are always dissecting plays when they’re off the field.
“Mediocre is never good enough for either of us,” he said. “We’re the highest level competitors and we always want to execute at the highest level.”
August 2nd, 2026 at 8:01 pm
Get him the ball in space. This guy is going to be the WR1 on this team for a long time without the drama and Hammy issues and helmet tapping after every 3rd play to come out. Turn the Page and he is the Page Turner! STUD!
August 2nd, 2026 at 8:04 pm
Truth is right.
August 2nd, 2026 at 8:09 pm
If every team knows that, is he good enough?
That remains to be seen.
Reason why I think McMillan will be WR1 this year in TDs at least.
Jalen is currently a better man beater and they both excel in zone.
Doesn’t really matter if they all stay healthy.
Hurst has the best upside for obvious reasons.
Somebody still has to throw the ball and hopefully it’s not a long ball.
August 2nd, 2026 at 8:27 pm
He has to be schemed open, start with that, as he will get more attention
August 2nd, 2026 at 8:45 pm
As a flanker he will be in motion the most pre-snap and not lined up right at the LOs so man coverage will not slow him down in the slightest. Teams will not be able to delay him at the line of scrimmage with hand fighting and press coverage. He’s going to go beast mode this year much like his good friend and old teammate out in Seattle…watch and see. Oh, and draft him in fantasy football. You won’t be disappointed.
August 2nd, 2026 at 9:11 pm
Hurst will be WR1 eventually (this season).
Godwin, Jmac, & Egbuka will be 2, 3, 4 in whatever order.
Egbuka isn’t reliable enough to be a WR1 in terms of catching the football consistently.
I like Egbuka, but all of our other Top-5 WR’s are more consistent catching the football and therefore more reliable than Egbuka.
That’s the truth. 💯
August 2nd, 2026 at 9:18 pm
Channel that inner Hines Ward, Emeka
August 2nd, 2026 at 9:18 pm
In the last half of the season Egbuka had more trouble getting separation, which means defenses learned to defend him better and he likely wore down from the grind a little bit.
I’d settle on him being even better at making contested catches and running routes. There’s no such thing as perfect and he’s got room to improve. He can work on his Deebo Samuel RB impersonation in between.
August 2nd, 2026 at 9:49 pm
Yeah, he’s hit the nail on the head there, with his self evaluation. That’s a really great sign. I always thought he seemed a little too cautious while at Ohio State, too!!!! He’s starting to gain his “I’m THE MAN” confidence. Mostly, because HE’s never been “THE MAN” before. Well, HE IS NOW!!!! I really like him and JMac together… They’ve just gotta remain HEALTHY, and ON the field. I’d REALLY LIKE THEM even more though, by adding Jeremiah Smith to them on the CHEAP for the next 5-SEASONS. With a “Bijan/Gibbs/Love” style of Running Back LoL. DAMN. Now, THAT would really be SOMETHING. If things start falling apart early, and we play our cards right over these next 2-Drafts, we can definitely make-it happen.
August 2nd, 2026 at 10:05 pm
🚨
Everyone needs to relax with the hot takes. Defenses adjust to every good player that’s what happens when you’re important enough to game plan for. Great players adjust right back. Saying Egbuka has to be “schemed open” isn’t the insult some of you think it is. Every NFL offense schemes touches for its best weapons. That’s called good coaching. The guy is working side by side with Baker Mayfield, and both have said mediocre isn’t good enough. That’s the mentality you build around. Instead of trying to crown or bury a WR1 before the season even starts, maybe let the season play out. The only opinions that really matter are the coaching staff’s and Baker’s. Egbuka wants more yards after the catch, wants to play faster, and is putting in the work to get there. That’s exactly what you want to hear. Some of y’all spend more time looking for flaws than appreciating talent. Leave the Marvel mutations to the movies and let football be football.
🔥 LFG!!
🙏 Come at me!!
August 2nd, 2026 at 10:12 pm
Egbuka hurt his hamstring and lost his top gear last season. He was a reception machine (all time record) at Ohio State and he will be one here. Even more so than Smith-Njigba. He’s *loaded* with potential. Of course, he needs to keep his QB to really catch fire this year…
August 2nd, 2026 at 10:12 pm
Tez is going to have something to say about all of this. He’s been the best WR in camp to this point. The way he’s playing, he’s going to end up at the WR1 position. This is a great problem to have. We lost a HOF receiver and still have the best WR room in the league.
August 2nd, 2026 at 10:14 pm
@MelvinJunior
You’re unbelievable. Please leave this website you bring nothing. “Things fall apart early?” That’s what you’re rooting for? What kind of fan hopes the season crashes so we can chase another draft pick?
This roster is built to win now, not tank for another receiver. We’ve already got Godwin, McMillan, Egbuka, Hurst, and Baker leading the offense. Good organizations focus on winning games, not living in mock drafts before Week 1.
I’ve dismantled your takes before, and every time the facts catch up to you. So do everyone a favor, take the constant doom-and-gloom somewhere else. The rest of us are looking forward to watching this team compete, not fantasizing about next April.
August 2nd, 2026 at 10:16 pm
MelvinJunior,
You’re unbelievable. “Things fall apart early?” That’s what you’re rooting for? What kind of fan hopes the season crashes so we can chase another draft pick?
This roster is built to win now, not tank for another receiver. We’ve already got Godwin, McMillan, Egbuka, Hurst, and Baker leading the offense. Good organizations focus on winning games, not living in mock drafts before Week 1.
I’ve dismantled your takes before, and every time the facts catch up to you. So do everyone a favor, take the constant doom-and-gloom somewhere else. The rest of us are looking forward to watching this team compete, not fantasizing about next April. Eres un idiota.
August 2nd, 2026 at 11:24 pm
He should be focused on beating press coverage. In the 2nd half of last season, teams were playing more tight coverage on Emeka. that really lead to his declining stats.
August 3rd, 2026 at 12:54 am
We have a really strong WR group this season. The key to their aggregate success is how well they can leverage their overall strength.
If they play it right, they’ll be impossible to cover.
August 3rd, 2026 at 3:22 am
Receivers can’t do anything without an offensive line.
Baker had no time last year
You wanna throw the ball?
You gotta block well!
August 3rd, 2026 at 4:09 am
McMillan has so far shown to be a Much More reliable receiver than Ebuka. Ebuka has a Real Problem hanging on to the ball.
Maybe Ebuka will break out this season but so far the only thing he’s shown is that when it comes to him and catching the ball consistently,… it’s a toss up. By the end of last season it was 50/50..
Claiming Hurst is the number one within his first season is the Most Unlikely of All. He hasn’t even had the privilege of being punched in the mouth just yet. ESPECIALLY by a Pro BIG BOY for an Hour Straight, in his very first game.. SO..
And if you really believe that he’s the OBVIOUS #1 with Your blind faith, you can always Prove you were right by donating your money to any Vegas bookie. (They ALWAYS appreciate the gifts)
It’s still Godwin BY A MILE if he doesn’t get hurt again. I wouldn’t bet a nickel on that either. But if he doesn’t get hurt… He’s DEFINITELY still the MAN with the hands!
GO BUCS!
August 3rd, 2026 at 6:44 am
The kid lost some speed with the hammy or whatever it was, never recovered it, which made it easier to stick a db on him. None of that will be an issue this year, I’m not worried
August 3rd, 2026 at 8:43 am
“Mediocre is never good enough for either of us,” but it *is* good enough to keep your job as head coach, right Todd?