The Tampa Bay Buccaneers struck gold with the selection of Emeka Egbuka and it got them a win in Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season.
Selected with the 19th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Ohio State prospect impressed immediately with the Buccaneers. In what was an ideal situation, playing behind both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, the rookie showed on Sunday that he will be more impactful than just the team’s third wide receiver. If the two veterans don’t watch out, he will emerge as Baker Mayfield’s top target.
It's just one game, but it only took one game, one impressive performance for this hot take. Egbuka captured his NFL debut with 4 receptions for 67 yards and two touchdowns. With Godwin and 2024 NFL Draft third-round pick Jalen McMillan out, Egbuka make the most of his opportunity and was the Buccaneers top receiver in Week 1.
As proven in the 23-20 victory over the Falcons, that top performance can come any given Sunday, especially with the chemistry that is materializing between Mayfield and the rookie reciver.
Baker Mayfield calls first round pick the “real deal”
In Sunday’s game, that magic between the Mayfield and Egbuka is evident. After connecting for a 30-yard touchdown reception in the first half of the game, the two came up clutch again to end the game.
With the game on the line with 59 seconds left, Mayfield found Egbuka in the end zone for a 25-yard touchdown reception for his second big catch of the day.
EMEKA EGBUKA. THE ROOKIE. AGAIN.
— NFL (@NFL) September 7, 2025
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With Evans on the field, it was a high-level moment for a rookie who already has his quarterback’s trust and confidence, a trust Mayfield says took no time formulating.
“I just think he carries himself, I’ve told you guys, it wasn’t a front,” Mayfield said following Sunday’s win. “…He’s the real deal. True professional. Doesn’t play like a rookie. Doesn’t act like a rookie. His head is never spinning. He made some unbelievable catches and plays todays for us. Obviously, going to continue to lean on him. Hopefully, we can draw some more coverage towards him, and Mike gets the ball again.”
That is what makes Egbuka’s quick emergence so impactful. He will make the offense in all tough to defend once Godwin and McMillan return as Mayfield will have four receivers he trusts to get the ball to. Even when Godwin returns and is healthy, Egbuka has the momentum to emerge as the teams WR2 and maybe even WR1 by the time the season is over.
After forgoing the 2024 NFL Draft to return to Ohio State, Egbuka is proving that decision was a smart move as he now coming up clutch against NFL defenses with a skillset and maturity that makes him more than just a rookie. With the injury history of Godwin, there may just be a new WR2 in town. It took one game for Emeka Egbuka to arrive.