If The Bucs Go Offense…
April 10th, 2025
Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka.
Give Joe truth serum and Joe will confess if Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht picks all defensive players in the draft that begins two weeks from tonight, Joe would be good with that.
Still, Joe wonders if the Bucs may shock people and go offense at No. 19.
Bucs coach Todd Bowles made the Earth tilt off its axis at the owners meetings in Palm Beach this month when he said he’s learned you have to score points to win. And if there was an offensive stud on the board at No. 19, Bowles said he’d be hard pressed to pass on him.
Could wide receiver Emeka Egbuka be that guy? Joe just loves the Ohio State product. When Joe watched him play this past year, he looked exactly like a clone of Chris Godwin
And to hear FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt speak of Egbuka, his personality is a mirror image of Godwin’s, too.
So let’s go to Dane Brugler’s “The Beast” to see how he broke down Egbuka in The Athletic. He is Brugler’s No. 4 receiver in the draft.
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Ohio State, Egbuka worked primarily out of the slot in offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s multiple, heavy-movement scheme (81.1 percent of his 2024 snaps came in the slot). Over his four seasons in Columbus, he played next to four wide receivers who ultimately became top-20 draft picks (Marvin Harrison Jr., Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave and Jaxon Smith-Njigba) and two likely future early-round draft picks (Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate), which made it easy to overlook his offensive impact. But Egbuka finished his career with the most receptions (205) in Ohio State history and second in receiving yards (30 yards behind Michael Jenkins). If you want flashy, skip to another report. If you want a savvy, rugged receiver with NFL-ready instincts, Egbuka fits the bill. He skillfully attacks the leverage of the coverage with manipulative pacing and footwork to cleanly enter/exit the break point. Although his targets will be more crowded in the NFL, his tracking skills and hand strength will be valuable assets. Overall, Egbuka is a very quarterback-friendly target — not because he is bigger, stronger or faster than defenders, but because he understands detailed subtleties to uncover and command the catch point. Though he can line up outside, he would thrive in a Rashee Rice-like slot role, where he can expand a play-calling menu with his diverse skill set.
Let’s be real here. Nobody thinks more of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin than Joe. Evans will be 32 this summer. Godwin is 29 and he’s coming off foot surgery two years after having knee surgery.
Sooner or later, Father Time will tap on these guys’ shoulders. Bowles said at the owners meetings he’s not sure if Godwin will suit up Week 1.
If the Bucs draft Egbuka, Godwin’s clone will be available.
Joe wants Licht to draft defense. But man, if Egbuka is on the board at No. 19, Joe would need every minute of that clock to wrestle between drafting a defender or Egbuka.
"Whatever NFL franchise gets this guy in their locker room will not be disappointed."
More from @joelklatt on how @OhioStateFB WR Emeka Egbuka will make his new team better. pic.twitter.com/8MhzoKZqWG
— The Joel Klatt Show: A CFB Pod (@JoelKlattShow) April 9, 2025
April 10th, 2025 at 1:21 am
Yes, as a Buckeye fan, I would love to see it.
Have been saying how much he reminded me of Chris Godwin… Emeka is eerily similar, and so smooth…
April 10th, 2025 at 1:27 am
‘Zactly, Joe, ‘zactly.
April 10th, 2025 at 1:50 am
Stop it, Stop it, just Stop it. We balled out with our top two pro bowl wr out several games or more n still manage to put up numbers at wr with backups n we need a wr first round. We lost each game based on our defense lack of pressure on the qb in the closing moments. We need defense, defense, n more defense at edge, corner, n linebacker. Good wrs can easily be found a dime a dozen in the latter rounds and or in FA. Raheim Jarrett n Kam Johnson are both up n coming wr. Let’s trade TPalmer for a 5th rounder, he’s proven nothing but fair catch, run out of bounds, or his lack of getting open. I’m done with potential, wish, n hope.
Learn from ur past:
OJ Howard-bust
JTS-bust
Jayden Darden-bust
Scotty Miller-bust
KJ Britt-bust
Logan Hall-bust
Trey Palmer-bust
And yes, fragile, timid, clumpsy, n no ints JDean-bust.
April 10th, 2025 at 2:44 am
If LB Campbell is on the board, the only offense players I think the Bucs should consider are Travis Hunter who gets Deion Sanders hype, Tetrairoa McMillan who would be Mike Evans’ heir apparent, and Tyler Warren who seems to be at least Gronk light and May be the real deal.
Golden seems like a swing for the fences as far as size and durability, and I am not sure that he is a good match with Mayfield. For whatever reason, Baker hasn’t really made a great connection with Palmer, and Golden seems to be Palmer plus a bit more speed.
None are very likely to be on the board although McMillan somehow falls that far in a few mock drafts.
April 10th, 2025 at 3:13 am
Yes, the Bucs need a 4th Receiver more than anything…I understand that Evans and Godwin aren’t going to play forever, but I also saw the Bucs defense wreck their season last year. If they don’t go defense in the 1st Round, I’m going to take it as if the Bucs are punting on the 2025 season.
April 10th, 2025 at 3:22 am
Egbuka, Golden, and McMillen are the top three receivers in this draft. Chances are at least one, maybe two will be available at #19. What will Licht do?
April 10th, 2025 at 4:16 am
Higgins….2nd rd
April 10th, 2025 at 4:53 am
I like him and feel the same way. Loving Mike and Chris. Adding Emeka sounds and looks like a good move too, for the future. Not sure if for our 19th pick though. He won’t be there for our Rd 2 pick.
April 10th, 2025 at 6:02 am
WR in the 4th or 5th rd. After shoring up the D, next year is the draft to look for the Evans/Godwin replacements.
As we look to replace our aging veterans, this year for LVD and Gholston. Next hear look at our WRs and Vea. That would take care of most 30+ year olds except Baker who has at least 5 years left.
April 10th, 2025 at 7:02 am
Not a bad thought Joe. Would rather have Tetairoa McMillan though if he miraculously falls to 19.
Go Bucs!
April 10th, 2025 at 7:10 am
LB3 @ 19
April 10th, 2025 at 7:11 am
GOLDEN BOY!!! MATTHEW GOLDEN!!!
April 10th, 2025 at 7:18 am
Perhaps Luther Burden slides down into the top of the 2nd Round and Bucs trade up to snag him-What a prize he would be.
April 10th, 2025 at 7:42 am
I demand we only draft players whose names I can pronounce
April 10th, 2025 at 8:04 am
Brugler also has Emeka Egbuka ranked as the 28 best player. He might be reach at 19? Now trade the 19 pick to move down a bit and we can take him and an edge player? I almost prefer the extra pic over a single 19 anyhow. I feel like we can get a good player anywhere in the top four-five picks. Our draft team has proven themselves with those day two & three pics over the last few years.
I appreciate the above dreaming but McMillan & Golden will most likely not fall to 19. And if we draft a tight end with the 19th pick. I will be livid. Egbuka = Burden
If we get either of them, it better be due to a trade down.
April 10th, 2025 at 8:29 am
See that’s thing about going WR with a view to ultimately replace the dynamic duo that we have now, To accomplish that it would be highly unlikely (all but impossible) to take a WR in the mid to later rounds. It would have to be either a 1st or 2nd round pick. Many in Bucs Nation would not be happy. But to replace those guys that is what it would take. It can’t be a token effort or head nod by grabbing a guy in the mid rounds.. I’ve been talking WR since after last year’s draft. But does JL have the stomach to make that pick with so many screaming needs on the other side of the ball. For many people that would be a tough sell. Pick a WR early now and be ahead of the curve or wait until next year and possibly be behind of the curve. Just imagine the outrage here on JBF if he does make that move.
April 10th, 2025 at 9:05 am
No issue with taking more weapons at 19. I’d be happy with him, burden or the kid from AZ.
But if you’re taking the OS product one has to wonder where he would play if Godwin stays healthy. I’m sad to say that I think it’s a moot point because odds are Godwin might not be ready for week one. This guy doesn’t seem to be an X guy who can play outside. Eventually we’re gonna have to find that guy. The slot guys are easier to find.
April 10th, 2025 at 9:22 am
Jackson Slater is an ideal fit for Jason Licht and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Licht has consistently shown a preference for drafting linemen from smaller schools, as seen with picks like Ali Marpet (Hobart) and Cody Mauch (NDSU). Slater, hailing from **Sacramento State**, fits this mold perfectly. At **6’6″ and 305 pounds**, Slater has the size and athleticism to excel at the NFL level. His combination of strength, mobility, and versatility allows him to play multiple positions along the offensive line, which is highly valued by the Bucs.
Licht’s affinity for blue-collar, hard-working players who can develop into key contributors fits Slater’s profile. His physicality and tenacity on the field are exactly what the Bucs need, and his small-school pedigree makes him a prime candidate for Tampa Bay. Slater has the potential to make an immediate impact hes a great depth and development piece late, providing the Bucs with another solid, dependable lineman for their future plans.
April 10th, 2025 at 9:34 am
What happened to the naysayers? Talked to a Bucs fan about Baker. She kept saying he was cocky. That is the source of the Baker hate. Yes he was cocky in College and at the Browns. Despite his new found maturity he can’t shake his past.
April 10th, 2025 at 10:02 am
Don’t draft to fill needs – if a WR available at 19 is the significantly better than any defensive prospect available, you take him and fill the defense later.
Don’t reach for need, and don’t settle for bad fits (character or skillset).
April 10th, 2025 at 11:16 am
Check out Kyle Williams from Washington St. 6’5″ with 4.3 speed. That’s our burner right there.
April 10th, 2025 at 7:04 pm
Bucs need to resist the urge to go offense early. They probably have 4 or 5 guys all about the same rating ready to choose at every pick. The middle of that disaster we called a defense has to be addressed early. No O until round 4 at the earliest.
April 11th, 2025 at 2:06 am
DMatt is an idiot. He obviously doesn’t know what a bust is. Anybody that’s the fourth round pick or lower that gets playing time can never be considered a bust. There’s no way in the world a sixth round pick, like Scotty Miller, that played significant snaps for us and made plays could ever be considered a bust. Dude needs to STFU