Injuries took a toll, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers still had a strong 2024 campaign and look set to remain a playoff contender in the near future. With Mike Evans aging and Chris Godwin as the only other proven receiver, the Buccaneers addressed their wide receiver room on Day 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Buccaneers Select Ohio State Receiver With the No. 19 Pick in the 2025 NFL Draft
Even with Godwin missing the second half of the season due to a dislocated ankle, the Bucs still managed to sustain the third-ranked offense in the NFL, according to PFSN’s Offense+ metric. That success was largely driven by a star-caliber season from quarterback Baker Mayfield, along with a much-improved rushing attack thanks to better offensive line play** and the emergence of rookie running back Bucky Irving.
While the Bucs re-signed Godwin during free agency, his recent injury history has created uncertainty. A season-ending ankle injury, just three years after tearing his ACL, has taken a toll. To strengthen Mayfield’s arsenal, Tampa Bay used the No. 19 overall pick on Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka.
The #Bucs at No. 19, with trade options, select #OSU WR Emeka Egbuka to add to the newly re-signed Chris Godwin and still-excellent but aging Mike Evans.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet)
With Egbuka in the fold, the Buccaneers are poised to have a lethal trio of pass-catchers if Godwin returns to full health. Egbuka has had his own injury struggles, but when healthy, he thrives as a movement-Z receiver with alignment versatility, run-after-catch ability, and elite route-running skills, especially against zone defenses.
Standing 6’1” and weighing 202 pounds, Egbuka brings solid size, strength, and athleticism. He primarily played in the slot at Ohio State, but has the tools — including separation IQ and versatility — to line up across the formation.
Egbuka is a savvy route runner, using head and body fakes to shake defenders and hand usage to stay free through stems. He’s a reliable third-down option, consistently getting open to move the chains. He boasts strong hands and excellent body control, and after the catch, he’s competitive, tough, and hard to bring down.
He may never be a true home-run threat, as he lacks top-end speed to beat NFL corners deep. But he projects as a high-volume Swiss Army knife with value across multiple roles — including blocking and short-area production.
The 22-year-old wideout posted strong numbers in college, finishing with 2,868 receiving yards, 24 touchdowns, and 14.0 yards per catch. The Buccaneers are hoping he’ll continue that production and become a 1,000-yard receiver for years to come in Tampa Bay.
