It’s safe to say the Tampa Bay Buccaneers found a good one. Their rookie wide receiver has delivered on all the hype that came his way. In a class with Matthew Golden and Tetairoa McMillan, Emeka Egbuka is a name that NFL fans have quickly gotten used to. The Bucs standout wide receiver made an immediate impact in the team’s first home game of the season.
Dallas Cowboys Legend Dez Bryant Has Strong Words for Emeka Egbuka
A viral catch of Egbuka going up with one hand against Sauce Gardner had fans on the edge of their seats. Not many NFL wideouts would be able to make that catch in the first place, especially not against a defender as talented as Gardner. Nonetheless, Egbuka made it look easy as he continues to be one of the biggest difference makers in the NFL’s 2025 rookie class.
“Like I said the Bucs found themselves a star,” Bryant wrote. “EMEKA EGBUKA people.”
Like I said the Bucs found themselves a ⭐️
EMEKA EGBUKA people. https://t.co/ip7av3amim
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) September 21, 2025
Quarterbacks such as Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders, and RB Ashton Jeanty were supposed to be the stars of the show coming out of the 2025 draft. Many seem to have slept on Egbuka’s abilities, as QB Baker Mayfield quickly found his new favorite target. While WR Chris Godwin remains sidelined, Egbuka has slotted himself into immediate WR2 conversations only behind veteran WR Mike Evans.
Egbuka was tied at the top of the charts through his first two games with three touchdowns. Two came in his first NFL regular-season game, a massive 23-20 come-from-behind win against the Atlanta Falcons. From there, he kept himself relevant with another touchdown on Monday Night Football.
Egbuka entered Week 3 with eight receptions for 96 yards and three touchdowns. The team’s leading receiver was still Evans, though Mayfield was thrilled to see a new target emerge after the Bucs were dealt numerous injuries at the wide receiver position a year ago. Now, they are poised to be even bigger and better than ever.
The 22-year-old made his name at Ohio State with a pair of 1,000-yard seasons. Egbuka had 10 touchdowns each of those years. Bryant, who went to Oklahoma State, was drafted five picks behind Egbuka. The Buccaneers elected him as No. 19 overall, while Bryant was selected at No. 24 in 2010.
Bryant played for the Cowboys from 2010 to 2017 and was a three-time Pro Bowler. He led the NFL in receiving touchdowns in 2014, an honor Egbuka could only dream of holding. If he’s able to keep up at this pace, he could one day join Bryant in the record books.
