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In 2025, Emeka Egbuka became the first wide receiver selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of the NFL Draft since 2014 when the team selected future Hall of Famer Mike Evans.
While the No. 19 overall pick out of Ohio State burst onto the scene in his rookie season and lived up to his high draft capital early on, Egbuka’s end to the season was a lot less spectacular.
Heading into his second season, Egbuka is looking to recreate the success he had in the first 10 games of his career.
During mandatory minicamp on Jun 17, Egbuka talked about his focus for his sophomore season.
“Overall explosiveness and making big plays with the ball in my hands,” Egbuka said when asked about what he is working on during offseason workouts. “Obviously we aren’t tackling in practice, but creating good habits when it comes to catching the ball and running after the catch. Making moves on defenders, having strong hands at the catch point, staying on your feet is a big one, and that’s something that I’m really honing in on.”
Through the first 10 games of 2025 Egbuka looked like he would run away with the NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year award after racking up 45 receptions for 717 yards (15.9 yards per catch) and six touchdowns. Thanks to Evans, Chris Godwin Jr. and Jalen McMillan all missing significant time due to injury, Egbuka became quarterback Baker Mayfield’s de facto No. 1 target. He was targeted an average of 8.5 times per game, had three games with more than 100 yards receiving, had seven or more targets in seven games and had at least one catch of more than 20 yards in seven of his first 10 games.
Despite his hot start, Egbuka’s production dropped off dramatically in the final seven games of the season. During the final stretch he managed just 18 receptions for 221 yards and had zero receiving touchdowns. His targets dropped to six per game and he had no more than four catches in the final seven games.
Although he is just in his second season Egbuka is embracing his leadership role with the absence of Evans, who signed with the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent in the offseason.
“Something that is little less on the field is stepping into that leadership role, becoming more vocal,” Egbuka said. “Being someone that the team can look to as a steady source of confidence.”
Godwin is now the elder statesman of the receiver room entering his 10th year, and like Egbuka, McMillan (third year), Tez Johnson (second year) and Kameron Jonson (third year) have seen significant snaps in their short time in the NFL. Tampa Bay got even younger at wide receiver with the addition of rookie Ted Hurst III, who was drafted in the third round of this year’s draft.
Head coach Todd Bowles Egbuka looks ready for the season already.
"He was nonstop [in 2025] and he looks a little fresher, looks a little more relaxed and calm but he is exactly the same way he was last year from a preparation standpoint," Bowles said. "He is extremely bright and – all of our receivers are extremely bright – but he is prepared and he understands what to do and is excited for the opportunity."
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While the No. 19 overall pick out of Ohio State burst onto the scene in his rookie season and lived up to his high draft capital early on, Egbuka’s end to the season was a lot less spectacular.
Heading into his second season, Egbuka is looking to recreate the success he had in the first 10 games of his career.
During mandatory minicamp on Jun 17, Egbuka talked about his focus for his sophomore season.
“Overall explosiveness and making big plays with the ball in my hands,” Egbuka said when asked about what he is working on during offseason workouts. “Obviously we aren’t tackling in practice, but creating good habits when it comes to catching the ball and running after the catch. Making moves on defenders, having strong hands at the catch point, staying on your feet is a big one, and that’s something that I’m really honing in on.”
Through the first 10 games of 2025 Egbuka looked like he would run away with the NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year award after racking up 45 receptions for 717 yards (15.9 yards per catch) and six touchdowns. Thanks to Evans, Chris Godwin Jr. and Jalen McMillan all missing significant time due to injury, Egbuka became quarterback Baker Mayfield’s de facto No. 1 target. He was targeted an average of 8.5 times per game, had three games with more than 100 yards receiving, had seven or more targets in seven games and had at least one catch of more than 20 yards in seven of his first 10 games.
Despite his hot start, Egbuka’s production dropped off dramatically in the final seven games of the season. During the final stretch he managed just 18 receptions for 221 yards and had zero receiving touchdowns. His targets dropped to six per game and he had no more than four catches in the final seven games.
Although he is just in his second season Egbuka is embracing his leadership role with the absence of Evans, who signed with the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent in the offseason.
“Something that is little less on the field is stepping into that leadership role, becoming more vocal,” Egbuka said. “Being someone that the team can look to as a steady source of confidence.”
Godwin is now the elder statesman of the receiver room entering his 10th year, and like Egbuka, McMillan (third year), Tez Johnson (second year) and Kameron Jonson (third year) have seen significant snaps in their short time in the NFL. Tampa Bay got even younger at wide receiver with the addition of rookie Ted Hurst III, who was drafted in the third round of this year’s draft.
Head coach Todd Bowles Egbuka looks ready for the season already.
"He was nonstop [in 2025] and he looks a little fresher, looks a little more relaxed and calm but he is exactly the same way he was last year from a preparation standpoint," Bowles said. "He is extremely bright and – all of our receivers are extremely bright – but he is prepared and he understands what to do and is excited for the opportunity."
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