The Tampa Bay Buccaneers added to a position of strength on Thursday night during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. They think it's a move that will pay off immediately and also down the road.
With the 19th pick of the first round, the Buccaneers selected Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, making him the first wideout the team has taken in the opening round since current General Manager Jason Licht began his tenure with the franchise by taking Mike Evans seventh overall in 2014. It wasn't exactly a surprise move, given that both Licht and Head Coach Todd Bowles had openly talked about the possibility of taking an offensive player in the first round over the last month, but it did go against the predictions of most analysts. Those predictions were driven by the fact that the division-winning Buccaneers had a top-five offense in 2024 but a defense that struggled at times largely due to injuries.
Egbuka joins a Buccaneers receiving group that already features future Hall of Famer Mike Evans, Pro Bowler Chris Godwin and 2024 rookie standout Jalen McMillan. Godwin is coming off a dislocated ankle injury that cost him more than half of last season, but the Buccaneers still expect him to be ready for the start of the 2025 season. Still, they think Egbuka can contribute immediately while representing part of the team's future at the position.
"We felt this was a pick for the future but also for the present," said Licht. "You saw what happened last year. We had some injuries and the coaches did a great job with what we had, but [now we're] adding another great receiver. Todd has said all along, I think he told you guys back in March that a good offense can help a defense. It's about scoring points.
"It's exciting to add him to the mix. We've got J-Mac and him now for the future, but also the present, and still we have an elite room with Chris and Mike. Chris is still on track; we're still shooting for Week One with him. This had nothing really to do with Chris's injury rehab right now. This had everything to do with [the fact that] he was a player that … Todd and I said at the end of the day, if this guy was here we were going to take him and we're going to be happy with it."
Egbuka is the all-time leading pass-catcher for Ohio State, a program that annually cranks out some of the best pass-catchers in the NFL. He thrives in the slot but can play all three receiver positions and is the type of football-obsessed prospect who fits perfectly into the Buccaneers' culture. Tampa Bay didn't have him in for a "Top 30" visit prior to the draft, but Licht said that was because the team had absolutely "no questions" it needed to answer about him.
"He's a true pro, mature beyond his years," said Licht. "He's a perfectionist. He's been in a great program, with a great wide receivers coach, in a great room. Lot of lineage there that he takes a lot of pride in. A lot to love about him, and on top of that he's a really good player. We're really excited to have him; he's our type of guy.
"You can't find anybody to say anything bad about this guy, in terms of his leadership, his commitment, his passion, his accountability. It's all top notch. In fact, we have a football character grade and he's the highest of the high. That on top of being a great player is something that we're very proud of."
The selection of Egbuka is very easy to understand from a long-term perspective. As dominant a duo as Evans and Godwin are, it's only prudent to begin planning for the future at what has become an increasingly important position. But Licht is also excited to see how first-year Offensive Coordinator Josh Grizzard can employ all of these targets at the same time, presuming all four are healthy.
"There is a rotation as well, too," said Licht. "We can play with four wide receivers, as well. There's a lot of things that Grizz is licking his chops about right now. You can't have too many good ones.
"[Egbuka] is a very versatile guy. He can play all three positions, and we like that about him. He's very smart, so he's going to be a quick study. Added to J-Mac, who we love, and then Mike and Chris, who are elite, it's going to be fun to watch. It's going to be fun to see how it works out."
View pictures of Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 19th overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft
Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka plays against Oregon during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State Emeka Egbuka, right, cuts up field on a kick return as Maryland kicker Joseph Petrino tries to make a tackle during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (12) in action during an NCAA college football game between Ohio State and Indiana in Bloomington, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (12) runs during the second half in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Utah Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka plays in an NCAA college spring football game Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka plays in an NCAA college spring football game Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka plays against Arkansas State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) carries the ball for a touchdown in the second half of a NCAA college football game against the Arkansas State on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Emilee Chinn)
Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka lines up during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against the Notre Dame, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 21-10. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka lines up during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against the Notre Dame, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 21-10. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka, left, celebrates his touchdown against Wisconsin with teammate Dawand Jones during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka runs for a 69-yard touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka reacts after scoring a touchdown against Northwestern during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Evanston, Ill. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against Georgia during the first half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football semifinal playoff game, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) runs during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka plays against Youngstown State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka lines up during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan won 30-24. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka lines up during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan won 30-24. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka looks to block during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan won 30-24. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
FILE - Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka plays against Youngstown State during an NCAA college football game, Sept. 9, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka plays against Akron during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) plays against Notre Dame during the College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) plays against Notre Dame during the College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
