Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield can smile at his offense and see a plethora of viable options. Now, how will he use his newest weapon?
Like pitchers in baseball, you can never have too many offensive weapons. With the NFL strictly geared and tilted toward offense, depth at the skill positions became a necessity, not a luxury. Now, you’ll see teams double and even triple-dip when signing talent.
With lax rules on what defensive backs can do, the franchise wants to take full advantage and clog the field with as many athletes on offense as possible. As a result, empty backfields with four and five receivers will test the depth and skill of subpackages. Now, a rookie gets to add to Tampa Bay’s riches.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield Relishes Opportunity to Integrate WR Emeka Egbuka into Offense
After a season where his offense ranked in the top five in points, yards, and passing touchdowns, Mayfield could post better numbers. How do you improve on a 4,500-yard year, adding 44 total touchdowns and completing 71.4% of your passes? By adding a sure-handed wideout with route specificity who will create separation with his ability to carve patterns.
Defenders won’t jump too many of Egbuka’s routes because he runs them all the same with no deviation. As a result, the seed of doubt grows in the cornerback’s mind. If they guess “dig route” and it’s actually a “sluggo,” they just surrendered a big play, probably a touchdown.
Mayfield sees his rookie target as a versatile chess piece.
Baker Mayfield is excited to have Emeka Egbuka on the team 🤩 pic.twitter.com/ki5Yl6bJwD
— ESPN Fantasy Sports (@ESPNFantasy) June 24, 2025
“Right now, I think we could plug-and-play [Emeka Egbuka] at any receiver spot.”
That speaks volumes for a player without a single NFL snap. Egbuka played the last four years as a professional apprentice. At Ohio State, he practiced and studied like a pro under the tutelage of receivers coach and former Cleveland Browns wideout Brian Hartline.
Hartline earned a reputation for ensuring that his wideouts enter the league prepared, and his work speaks for itself. Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are four examples of the coach’s approach. Now, Egbuka looks to keep the train rolling.
Egbuka Set to Thrive in Slot Role Between Mike Evans, Chris Godwin
Right now, Egbuka will occupy the slot, bracketed by Mike Evans and Chris Godwin on the outside. That means he’ll see coverage from the team’s nickelback. Under those circumstances, you can see not just option routes underneath, but intermediate routes that will thrive when Evans or Godwin takes their man deep, opening up a spot.
Mayfield won’t be hurting for talent; in Tampa Bay, he never suffered in that aspect. Now, with an overabundance of receiving riches, will this springboard the Buccaneers into contender status in the NFC?
Let’s not forget about Jalen. That guy is a fantastic receiver.