The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will limp into their preseason finale after a week that piled on injuries. Saturday’s matchup with the Buffalo Bills will be the last chance to fine-tune things before Week 1, and all eyes are shifting toward a rookie wide receiver who suddenly looks like a key piece of the offense.
Will Emeka Egbuka Suit Up Against the Buffalo Bills?
He will. Emeka Egbuka is lined up to take the field in the Buccaneers’ final preseason game. The 19th overall pick has drawn plenty of attention already, and with Jalen McMillan sidelined by a neck injury while Chris Godwin Jr. continues to work his way back from the ankle injury he suffered in 2024, Tampa Bay doesn’t have the luxury of easing him in.
His opportunities were limited against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, but Egbuka still managed to leave a mark. His lone catch was a highlight: a one-handed touchdown with Brandin Echols draped all over him.
PFF’s Dalton Wasserman highlighted Egbuka’s outing, pointing out his one-handed touchdown grab and noting that he was open on a corner route before Teddy Bridgewater’s throw sailed out of bounds.
What Kind of Role Could Egbuka Have Right Away?
At 6’1″ and 205 pounds, the first-round pick out of Ohio State capped his senior year with 81 receptions, 1,011 yards, and 10 touchdowns. He looks NFL-ready, and injuries to Godwin Jr. and McMillan have pushed him into the spotlight sooner than expected.
Baker Mayfield is already seen as ready to lean on him, raising the question of whether Egbuka can deliver a hot start similar to Godwin’s in 2024. Tonight against Buffalo should offer more snaps and a clearer idea of how quickly he can fit into the passing game.
For a team that’s already thin at wide receiver, the timing of Egbuka’s rise is hard to ignore. The Buccaneers’ depth has already taken a hit, with McMillan in a neck brace and sidelined for the start of the season while Godwin Jr. works his way back from the ankle injury he suffered in 2024. So, the rookie’s performance tonight feels bigger than just a preseason test.
If Egbuka looks anything like the player who flashed against Pittsburgh, the Buccaneers may have stumbled onto their next breakout star. In a season that already feels uphill, that could end up being the difference between another slide and a fresh spark of hope.
If the rookie delivers again tonight, the conversation around Tampa Bay’s offense is going to change fast.
