Emeka Egbuka is another athletic freak who entered the NFL from Ohio State.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted him in the first round to be a prime target for quarterback Baker Mayfield. But before he can be the primary target on Sundays, he’s putting in the work in the preseason to separate himself from the pack.
Saturday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers was an excellent chance for him to prove he belongs on the field as a starter.
How Did Egbuka Fare Against the Steelers?
Egbuka played the first three series against the Steelers and was limited to one catch on two targets for 5 yards. However, his lone catch impressed in short order.
On third-and-3 from the Steelers’ 6-yard line, Egbuka lined up in the slot. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater took the snap in the shotgun and lofted a pass to the back left corner of the end zone, where Egbuka made a one-handed catch in coverage to score his first touchdown.
First NFL preseason TD for Buccaneers first-round pick Emeka Egbuka:
pic.twitter.com/6GSicEwRAn— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 16, 2025
It was a strong punctuation mark for Egbuka’s first statement in the preseason. By all accounts, the No. 19 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft has been showing out in training camp. He’s got body control, speed, and the ability to change direction on a dime.
Emeka Egbuka is going to be a top 15 dynasty wide receiver after year 1.
MARK. MY. DAMN. WORDS.pic.twitter.com/OlwZ5g934u
— Snoog’s Fantasy HQ (@FFSnoog) August 7, 2025
No matter how Egbuka looks in the preseason and how many social media accounts tout his off-the-charts talent, he’s expected to start the season as the Bucs’ No. 3 option in the receiving corps, at best.
The Bucs still have Mike Evans, but Chris Godwin’s status is up in the air, and he could start the season on the PUP list. He’s still working his way back from a devastating ankle injury, so it’s fair to question how effective he will be when he does return.
Should significant playing time present itself, Egbuka is positioned well to take advantage. But the Bucs also have Jared McMillan, who caught eight touchdown passes last season, and veteran Sterling Shepard, who is competing for snaps.
Still, Egbuka’s draft position and talent make him impossible to ignore. He was drafted to be the future focal point of the Bucs’ passing game, so it’s not a matter of if he gets more playing time, but when. His red-zone play against Pittsburgh already showed he can create separation in tight coverage.
The Bucs close out the preseason when they host the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, Aug. 23, at 4:30 p.m. ET.
