The Tampa Bay Buccaneers kick off their 2025 NFL preseason with a matchup against the Tennessee Titans in a game highlighted by some rookie standouts. Tennessee will have 2025 NFL Draft first-round pick Cam Ward out there at quarterback. But will there be any other top rookies taking the field?
For the Buccaneers, quarterback Baker Mayfield and a number of other starters will sit out. Will first-round pick Emeka Egbuka take the field?
Will Buccaneers Have Ebeka Egbuka Take The Field?
Egbuka is one of the Buccaneers’ top rookies, and he has earned plenty of praise throughout training camp. While a number of starters may not play, Egbuka will make his preseason debut and get his first taste of NFL action on Saturday evening. The Buccaneers posted a video on X confirming that Egbuka will play vs. the Titans.
9️⃣ makes his NFL debut TONIGHT ‼️ pic.twitter.com/MCARvAalJy
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) August 9, 2025
Egbuka was a standout receiver at Ohio State, helping the Buckeyes win the national championship last season. Egbuka is a versatile receiver who has earned praise for his football IQ and ability to get open.
Egbuka has shown coaches that he has both solid hands and an ability to maintain body control when he moves over the middle. After making a catch, Egbuka is tough to bring down.
According to PFSN’s pre-draft scouting report, Egbuka “is a well-built movement-Z receiver who projects as an impact NFL starter. He offers good overall size for the position and has good strength and athleticism. He primarily aligned in the slot while at Ohio State, but he has the size, athleticism, and separation IQ to move across the formation.”
Fantasy football users are looking to size up what Egbuka can provide their rosters. His fantasy football profile offered some key advice that fantasy players might want to consider.
“Fantasy managers are already drawing comparisons between Egbuka’s situation and Rome Odunze’s last year, who was stuck behind DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba two years ago, who was trapped behind DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett,” according to the profile.
“There is absolutely a scenario where Evans and Godwin are mostly healthy and Egbuka is relegated to WR3 duties all season. As great as Mayfield is, it’s almost impossible for any quarterback to support three highly productive pass catchers. If Evans and Godwin are healthy and performing at peak ability, Egbuka’s ceiling likely rests in the WR3 range.
“There’s a real chance Egbuka’s rookie year looks like JSN’s or Odunze’s, and he’s barely worth rostering. But we play to win the game. There’s also no denying Egbuka has WR2 upside. Given his WR46 ADP, I am willing to chase that.”
It’s time for Egbuka to show what he can do in the NFL. Buccaneers fans will be looking to see how he performs in the NFL preseason opener on Saturday night.
