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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers raised everyone's eyebrows when they selected Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka in the first round of the NFL Draft, with the defensive needs clear for many.
But Egbuka was the choice, and he now comes to the Buccaneers with Baker Mayfield and a stout running game that was one of the best in football last season.
For first-round draft picks, much of the focus is on what they do well, not what they struggle with, and for Egbuka, he is a true team-first football player and isn't shy about doing the dirty work in the run game.
Considering Bucky Irving's rise in his rookie season, we imagine the Bucs will be a run-heavy team in 2025, and that means blocking, something that Emeka knows he must improve on.
“As far as improving myself at the next level, I think that I'm a very good and willing blocker," Egbuka said. "I think sometimes I have a tendency to either hop or cross over or get over excited about getting the block, so just having a better base, and continue to work and strain in that area.”
Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka brushes off Oregon Ducks tackler in College Football Playoff Game.Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
He's self-aware. Coaches will love that.
His talents as a receiver are undeniable (1,011 yards, 10 touchdowns last season), but it is clear that now he's a Buccaneer, he'll be required to do some heavy lifting in the run game, which he is more than capable of doing.
Yes, it needs work, but the fact that Emeka knows it and is willing to work on it will be music to Todd Bowles' ears as the rookie looks to make a strong impression early in the offseason.
A receiver who loves the dirty work of blocking and helping set up the run game doesn't come across all too often, and Tampa Bay appears to have gotten a player who embodies exactly what Bowles is looking for in his players.
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But Egbuka was the choice, and he now comes to the Buccaneers with Baker Mayfield and a stout running game that was one of the best in football last season.
For first-round draft picks, much of the focus is on what they do well, not what they struggle with, and for Egbuka, he is a true team-first football player and isn't shy about doing the dirty work in the run game.
Considering Bucky Irving's rise in his rookie season, we imagine the Bucs will be a run-heavy team in 2025, and that means blocking, something that Emeka knows he must improve on.
“As far as improving myself at the next level, I think that I'm a very good and willing blocker," Egbuka said. "I think sometimes I have a tendency to either hop or cross over or get over excited about getting the block, so just having a better base, and continue to work and strain in that area.”
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Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka brushes off Oregon Ducks tackler in College Football Playoff Game.Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
He's self-aware. Coaches will love that.
His talents as a receiver are undeniable (1,011 yards, 10 touchdowns last season), but it is clear that now he's a Buccaneer, he'll be required to do some heavy lifting in the run game, which he is more than capable of doing.
Yes, it needs work, but the fact that Emeka knows it and is willing to work on it will be music to Todd Bowles' ears as the rookie looks to make a strong impression early in the offseason.
A receiver who loves the dirty work of blocking and helping set up the run game doesn't come across all too often, and Tampa Bay appears to have gotten a player who embodies exactly what Bowles is looking for in his players.
Related: Bucs Trade Of Star Receiver Rumored by Cowboys Insider
Related: Bucs' Tez Johnson Has Scary 'Kryptonite' Message For Rival NFL Teams
Related: Bucs' Tez Johnson Has Scary 'Kryptonite' Message For Rival NFL Teams
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