The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made one of the more surprising moves in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft by selecting wide receiver Emeka Egbuka. While the Ohio State standout brings strong value at 19th overall, many expected Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht and the front office to address other needs.
With a solid receiving group that already includes Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and second-year wideout Jalen McMillan, the pick raised eyebrows. But Godwin suffered a season-ending ankle injury in 2024, and that context makes the Egbuka decision feel a little more strategic. Could Egbuka be insurance — or even a potential replacement — if Godwin isn’t ready for Week 1?
Did Emeka Egbuka Selection Stem From Chris Godwin Injury Concern?
Licht appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” and was asked about Godwin’s status and whether Egbuka’s selection was tied to injury concerns around the one-time Pro Bowler.
"We're expecting Chris Godwin to be ready for week one..
We're excited that he's gonna be here for another three years" ~ @jasonrlicht #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/7hDJXAlt34
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow)
“It’s all about the weapons,” Licht said. “It was all about the best player available there. Chris is on target, where we thought he’d be. Chris, we signed him at three years. One year is a long time in the NFL, but three years, we’re excited to have him this long.”
Licht added, “This gives us some comfort that we can make sure that he’s rehabbing at a steady rate, that we aren’t rushing this. We’re expecting him Week 1, but now we’re not worried about trying to rush it too quickly ’cause we’ve got another receiver that can step in. That doesn’t mean we’re not expecting him to be back Week 1 — ’cause we still are.”
Buccaneers WR Depth Among League Best
If Evans and Godwin weren’t already one of the NFL’s best duos, the Bucs now boast two top young pass catchers behind them. With Godwin trending toward a Week 1 return, quarterback Baker Mayfield might have the most complete receiving arsenal in the league.
Evans led Tampa with 1,004 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 2024, marking his 11th straight 1,000-yard season.
Tight end Cade Otton stepped up with 59 receptions for 600 yards and four touchdowns over 14 games, becoming a trusted option for Mayfield.
Godwin averaged 82.5 receiving yards per game before his injury, finishing with 576 yards and five scores in just seven appearances.
McMillan caught fire late in the season, scoring eight touchdowns in 13 games and establishing himself as a red zone weapon.
The backfield added even more through the air. Bucky Irving and Rachaad White each had over 390 receiving yards, with White adding six receiving touchdowns.
With so many dynamic options at every level of the offense, adding Egbuka gives Mayfield yet another weapon — and gives the Bucs a matchup nightmare entering 2025.
