Welcome to Tampa, Emeka Egbuka

[__Chef__]

The guy that picked Godwin (and Evans) just used a first rounder for the first time since his first pick on this WR.

Gonna trust the guy with the eye.

I always said that Jason had an eye for wide receiver talent. Everyone’s gonna miss. Tyler Johnson, whatever. But he did identify Humphries, and got the decent years out of S. Miller. Evans, Godwin, Perriman on the cheap.

We also just picked up McMillan who was already starting to come on at the end of the year ... this just feels like they fell in love with the kid regardless of what else was going on ...

[Grahamburn]

Egbuka is excellent. We’re going to love him. We’re just surprised.

Let it play out.

[Grahamburn]

I always said that Jason had an eye for wide receiver talent. Everyone’s gonna miss. Tyler Johnson, whatever. But he did identify Humphries, and got the decent years out of S. Miller. Evans, Godwin, Perriman on the cheap.

We also just picked up McMillan who was already starting to come on at the end of the year ... this just feels like they fell in love with the kid regardless of what else was going on ...

Again, having the best WR room in the NFL is not a bad thing.

[Doctor]

We just made our WR 4 into a big strength. 1000 snaps went to WRs not named Evans, Godwin, McMillan, Sterling. Heck 500+ went to Sterling.

Now they will go to a guy some had as their WR darling of the draft.

https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/o ... g-receiver

[__Chef__]

We just made our WR 4 into a big strength. 1000 snaps went to WRs not named Evans, Godwin, McMillan, Sterling. Heck 500+ went to Sterling.

Now they will go to a guy some had as their WR darling of the draft.

https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/o ... g-receiver

The kid is good, I'm not knocking him. But he isn't/wasn't the best impact available for this team.
Improving from an A to an A+ isn't as good as improving a D to an A.

If Barron wasn't there, I'd get it. Will Johnson's instincts weren't as great, and he had injury concerns. DB needs are high and we ignored it to maybe slightly improve a position that was already a strength while ignoring a major weakness.

[Jonny]

See:

Reads like Godwin's skillset without the speed element Godwin brought back in 17.

It wasn't like he was a top 10 talent that was a consensus BPA at 19. I'm sure he was higher on Bucs board than 19. But it feels like they may have overrated an above average guy and are filling a position of luxury over a position of need.

[BucsNBills]

If you guys were going to trust Licht on whatever defensive player he could've taken, then you gotta trust him with the EE pick as well.

We may very well end up with Will Johnson or DEze in the 2nd round with how random these picks are getting now.

[Snake]

I’m glad they went with the proven producer and craft geek.

Instead of an archetypal “raw” WR who runs a 4.3, but does nothing else that translates to the NFL. In hopes that the really fast guy can figure it out (they never do).

It also doesn’t hurt that he came from a great household, was a captain on the national championship NCAA team. He also decided to stick around and compete in what is easily the most talented wide receiver room in college football.

Going up against the likes of Garrett Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Chris Olave, Jeremiah Smith. If you’re counting, that’s four first round picks, and what will eventually be another top five pick.

Could’ve transferred out. Maybe gotten a raise, and been the undisputed number one option. Nope, he saw it through.

[__Chef__]

See:

Reads like Godwin's skillset without the speed element Godwin brought back in 17.

It wasn't like he was a top 10 talent that was a consensus BPA at 19. I'm sure he was higher on Bucs board than 19. But it feels like they may have overrated an above average guy and are filling a position of luxury over a position of need.

What's worse is they weren't thinking: "okay, well we're going to draft Mike's replacement with Higgins, he'll help us out now and eventually be the heir apparent."

Nope.

[__Chef__]

I’m glad they went with the proven producer and craft geek.

Instead of an archetypal “raw” WR who runs a 4.3, but does nothing else that translates to the NFL. In hopes that the really fast guy can figure it out (they never do).

It also doesn’t hurt that he came from a great household, was a captain on the national championship NCAA team. He also decided to stick around and compete in what is easily the most talented wide receiver room in college football.

Going up against the likes of Garrett Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Chris Olave, Jeremiah Smith. If you’re counting, that’s four first round picks, and what will eventually be another top five pick.

Could’ve transferred out. Maybe gotten a raise, and been the undisputed number one option. Nope, he saw it through.

Yes, very safe pick. Still a dumb use of finite resources.

Edit:

Never mind ... thinking about it, at least this wasn't another JTS, Hall, waste of a pick... but it could have been Barron who went exactly 1 pick after us ... still pissed ...

[Snake]

I’m glad they went with the proven producer and craft geek.

Instead of an archetypal “raw” WR who runs a 4.3, but does nothing else that translates to the NFL. In hopes that the really fast guy can figure it out (they never do).

It also doesn’t hurt that he came from a great household, was a captain on the national championship NCAA team. He also decided to stick around and compete in what is easily the most talented wide receiver room in college football.

Going up against the likes of Garrett Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Chris Olave, Jeremiah Smith. If you’re counting, that’s four first round picks, and what will eventually be another top five pick.

Could’ve transferred out. Maybe gotten a raise, and been the undisputed number one option. Nope, he saw it through.

Yes, very safe pick. Still a dumb use of finite resources.

I’m batting around the idea that the Buccaneers plan on featuring him in the current offense, similarly to how he was utilized by the buckeyes.

With hopes that Emeka will grow into a more important boundary receiver role. as the other guys phase out in the next one to two years.

The other big name receivers were featured in those traditional ways at Ohio State. The one on one match ups against Man defense against the boundary. running verticals, and stuff like that. I think Jason is reading between the lines here and sees that in Emeka.

Nothing else makes sense. He could scrape the barrel to get a cromulent slot receiver. This is definitely a big use of draft capital.

[Dcbucsfan]

I wanted Campbell and then Egbuka. Passing on Campbell means SVD is ready to go. I will assume that the next rounds are defensive.

Also, the panthers picks, McMillan, is the one that makes me nervous

[BucsNBills]

We invested the 19th pick in a premium position and got a great player.

I'm happy.

[Doctor]

The draft for need people are dying. It's okay.

WR is one of those positions that if you hit, you usually never let go until the end. Next after QB for cost savings on rookie deals.

We just made a whole lot of snaps a whole lot better for maybe a very long time with this pick.

[Snake]

I'm not a college guy, so...

Would we have reached with a defensive player? An edge rushers?

Are we setting up our offense for the future and address this season in rounds 2-7?

Hard to say, brother.

I get the impression that Todd wants to give Baker + new OC as many tools as possible to succeed. While Todd makes chicken salad out of whatever chicken shiitake is located on the defense.

[CannonFire]

I'm fine with the pick. Would've preferred a defensive player, but Egbuka should prove to be worthy of the pick.

[Dcbucsfan]

I'm not a college guy, so...

Would we have reached with a defensive player? An edge rushers?

Are we setting up our offense for the future and address this season in rounds 2-7?

Maybe but either way, looking forward to your Monday, sometime Tuesday, once in a while Friday, and every so often Tuesday recaps! Hope the fam is doing well!

[Doctor]

I think we can use more talent on defense. 100%

I think health and chemistry will do far more for this defense than people realize.

[Snake]

“As a DB, when I watch him, he’s incredible. Demonstrates elevated understanding of coverage, spacing, and how to present himself to the quarterback. Like a professional. He uses his hands as late as possible to keep the DB off balance. He doesn’t give defenders keys. And he blocks his ass off downfield.”

Yeah, basically what I saw. If he can improve the routes, he’s probably the most polished WR in Tampa lol.

[Doctor]

Our 14 personnel is going to be unstoppable. Especially in the run game.

People sleep on just how many 3 and outs the team ate last year.

[bucarican]

See:

Why is this so dumb big??

[BucsNBills]

I'm sure we all would've been happy with Will Johnson or DEze, but nobody else drafted them either so clearly Licht wasn't too off base taking EE instead.

Egbuka is ready to start day 1 in Godwin's role which allows Godwin to recover as long as he needs. And even when Godwin returns, who knows how long it will take until he's at full speed. It wouldn't shock me if Chris isn't fully back to 2024 effectiveness until after Thanksgiving and now we have insurance against that.

Once he starts catching first downs and TDs nobody will be complaining anymore.

[Doctor]

I’m glad they went with the proven producer and craft geek.

Instead of an archetypal “raw” WR who runs a 4.3, but does nothing else that translates to the NFL. In hopes that the really fast guy can figure it out (they never do).

It also doesn’t hurt that he came from a great household, was a captain on the national championship NCAA team. He also decided to stick around and compete in what is easily the most talented wide receiver room in college football.

Going up against the likes of Garrett Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Chris Olave, Jeremiah Smith. If you’re counting, that’s four first round picks, and what will eventually be another top five pick.

Could’ve transferred out. Maybe gotten a raise, and been the undisputed number one option. Nope, he saw it through.

This. Nailed it.

His character is off the charts and fits right into what we've built in the locker room. That's been Licht's draft secret sauce. Draft LaVontes.

[Bootz]

Our 14 personnel is going to be unstoppable. Especially in the run game.

People sleep on just how many 3 and outs the team ate last year.

14 personnel? You expecting us to be lining up with 4 TEs any time soon? That isnt even a grouping and I don't even think we keep 4 active during game day.

[Babeinbucland]

Baker Mayfield had the best reaction to Buccaneers drafting Emeka Egbuka
ByJosh Hill




https://thepewterplank.com/baker-mayfie ... eka-egbuka

[Doctor]

Our 14 personnel is going to be unstoppable. Especially in the run game.

People sleep on just how many 3 and outs the team ate last year.

14 personnel? You expecting us to be lining up with 4 TEs any time soon? That isnt even a grouping and I don't even think we keep 4 active during game day.

The tighter the better.

[Primeminister]

I will say that I love this post draft interview with Emeka. This kid is a leader and what you want character wise.

[Doctor]

I love Godwin. This offense runs thru him at high level. But that's also a weak point. You can't have your season collapse if one guy goes down.

Egbuka shores up the Y, our feeder, in our offense. Both rotational wise, depth wise, and future wise. Our floor and ceiling just took a huge boost.

[Nobody]

Just the briefest of study on him in the last hour. On the Venn Diagram of archetypes, I see a whole lot more of Hines Ward than I do Chris Godwin. The overlap between he and Chris is probably the savvy late hands, the ball tracking, the sure-handedness, the compete at the catch point, the feel for spacing in zone, and the diverse and physical blocking in the running game. But I don't see the FMT in space/perimeter screen game that Godwin uniquely provides. That sort of contact balance at the WR position is rare.

But if you can get a Hines Ward skillset that can decisively work and win in the 9-13 ADOT (especially in high leverage situations and move the chains) range at the WR position? A guy who wins in the run game, gives you reliability on the Skinny Post/Flag, possesses great character, and has shown durability (only an ankle and another minor that was non-disclosed)? You take that.

You can never have too many talented, reliable, diverse skill-set, high-floor, durable WR and CBs in the NFL. You take those every time you can. Shepard, Palmer, Miller, Jarrett had a ton of snaps last year. I would much rather have those snaps go to this young man. I doubt you would see Shepard's huge drops (like in the playoff game) or terrible penalties or the average-to-poor work in the running game from those four.

[Doctor]

I'll take that Hines Ward comp all day too. Ward was a dog. Also heard JSN comps, and I see it. Loved JSN his draft.

[Babeinbucland]

I will say that I love this post draft interview with Emeka. This kid is a leader and what you want character wise.

Omg this kid has it going on!!!! Wow!!!

[Nobody]

I will say that I love this post draft interview with Emeka. This kid is a leader and what you want character wise.

Wow.

Licht said he would have vomited if he traded down and suddenly this kid went off the board. After that interview, I can see it. That insight into leadership being "scenario-dependent" but "always leading by example regardless."

Impressive as hell.

I get it (Licht's thoughts above).

[BucsNBills]

I didn't realize Egbuka is basically the same size and speed as Justin Jefferson who also did a lot of his work from the slot in college.

Not saying he'll be JJ, but I think his ceiling is higher than "just" a slot receiver.

[Jonny]

I'm sorry, I read all the justifications and cannot bring myself to feel excited. Great kid, great character. How much can he help Bucs in 2025 compared to a Jahdae Barron or Ezeiruaku?

[Terry Tate]

If I was going WR, I probably would have gone Golden. By adding Egbuka, we have a logjam of guys with a somewhat similar skillset. Evans is the only guy that can take the top off and scare a defense deep. Golden would have added more of that dimension.

But, Licht is the pro GM with a good record taking WR's and I am not. I'll roll with it.