The first round of the Buccaneers 2025 Draft is now history, and although we weren’t live on Twitch this time, in the latest episode of the Cañones y Football podcast we shared our predictions with the entire community. Like most analysts, we expected a defensive pick, but the Buccaneers surprised everyone by selecting wide receiver Emeka Egbuka with the 19th pick in the 2025 Draft.
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An unexpected reinforcement for the attack: Emeka Egbuka
With top-tier defenders still available on the board in Donovan Ezeiruaku, Malaki Starks, Jahdae Barron, Maxwell Hairston and Jihaad Campbell , many expected the Bucs to bolster the defensive side of the ball. However, general manager Jason Licht and new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard decided to give Baker Mayfield another weapon: Ohio State ‘s polished and versatile receiver Emeka Egbuka .
Egbuka becomes the fourth receiver in Buccaneers history to be selected in the first round , following Reidel Anthony (1997) , Michael Clayton (2004) and Mike Evans (2014) .
Who is Emeka Egbuka?
With a brilliant career at Ohio State , Egbuka stood out for his offensive intelligence, his precision in route running, and his ability to gain yards after the catch. While he’s not the most explosive vertically, he makes up for it with polished technique , excellent field vision , and tremendous reliability with his quarterback .
- Height and weight: 6’1”, 202 lbs
- Alignment: Slot, X, Z
- Total receptions: 205
- Total yards: 2,868
- Touchdowns: 24
- Records: Second in receiving yards in Ohio State history
Egbuka is also a team player and a captain in 2024 , with academic accolades and an exemplary attitude. His experience playing alongside stars like Marvin Harrison Jr., Garrett Wilson, and Chris Olave has equipped him to take on great responsibilities from day one in the NFL.
Strengths of Emeka Egbuka
- Precise route: Controls the pace of the snap and knows how to break away with subtle movements.
- Offensive IQ: Recognizes coverage, identifies spaces and is lethal against zones.
- After Catch: Good body balance and ability to break tackles.
- Versatility: Can line up in multiple offensive positions.
- Functional Blocker: Contributes to running plays and screens.
Weaknesses
- Limited Deep Speed: Not a speedster who will burn DBs vertically.
- Physical play: Can suffer from corners that press on the line.
- Left ankle injury in 2023: Although he recovered, he underwent tightrope surgery.
How does he fit in with the Buccaneers?
With Mike Evans approaching 32 and in a contract year, and Chris Godwin entering the final stretch of his prime, Egbuka emerges as Tampa Bay’s receiver of the future . His style resembles Godwin’s, but with a greater ease in playing from the slot, which expands the Grizzlies’ playbook and keeps the offensive system competitive in case of injuries.
In a unit that also features Jalen McMillan and Trey Palmer , Emeka could become a key piece in his rookie season, especially as a reliable target on third downs.
An unexpected pick, but one that makes a lot of sense
While many expected a defensive reinforcement, the truth is that Egbuka offers undeniable value at this point in the draft. Tampa Bay not only improves its offense, but also anticipates the future of its receiving corps, protects its QB, and strengthens the most important group for immediate success: the playmakers.
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