The Safest Receiver
April 23rd, 2025
Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka.
Look, while Joe could see the Bucs adding a defensive player at any position, the Bucs have been not so secretive in suggesting if a playmaker receiver is there at No. 19, the Bucs won’t hesitate to pull the trigger.
Shoot, Todd Bowles said back in March he’d struggle to pass on a baller on offense if a guy was still on the board when the Bucs are on the clock Thursday night.
When you factor in Mike Evans turns 32 in August in a contract year and everyone hopes Chris Godwin will be back to normal from a gnarly ankle injury, neither guy is a sure thing.
Evans is as close to a sure thing as there is, but Father Time remains undefeated.
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan is widely considered the best full-time receiver in the draft. Some folks want to compare him to Evans. Joe won’t.
There are questions about McMillan’s love of football and desire to bust his tail. There were never any such doubts when Evans came out of Texas A&M.
This is why Joe is smitten with Emeka Egbuka from The Ohio State University. Egbuka shined for the national champions. He is every bit the Godwin clone.
He catches the ball like Godwin, he is physical like Godwin, he blocks like Godwin, he can stretch the field like Godwin, he is dynamite in the slot like Godwin, he is a red zone monster like Godwin, he’s tough like Godwin and he even takes handoffs and runs like Godwin.
If Godwin cannot go — and Bowles said last month he’s not sure if Godwin can be on the field for Week 1 — the best way to answer Godwin questions is with Egbuka.
Emory Hunt of CBS, the Czar of the Playbook, has Egbuka as his No. 3 slot receiver.
– An extension of the run game w/regards to how well he blocks out on the perimeter. Able to match physicality on both ends of receiver play.
– Reliable and dependable option in the underneath passing game. Shows up big inside the red zone and on 3rd downs.
– Strong hands at the catch point and is able to win at every level of the field.
– Understands how to manipulate leverage within his route running and seemingly always is able to find open grass.
Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network raves about Egubka’s professionalism and reliability.
Joe leans defense with this draft. Early and often. But if Bowles really cannot pass up an offensive weapon at No. 19, why not Egbuka?
“For what he is, I love the kid.The guy I thought of was Tyler Boyd in his prime. I think that Egbuka is just a pro.”@GregCosell’s comparison for Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka: pic.twitter.com/A6Opjhc2MG
— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) March 29, 2025
April 23rd, 2025 at 10:34 am
Boyd eh. hmmm
April 23rd, 2025 at 10:35 am
So many choices….what will we do…I guess…close our eyes and pick one of the 1347 players that Joe has put forward.
April 23rd, 2025 at 10:37 am
I’d take Golden over him. He’s my number one receiver in this draft, yes ahead of Hunter.
April 23rd, 2025 at 10:54 am
LB3
April 23rd, 2025 at 11:02 am
My favorite WR is Luther Burden. Not sure if he’s the best pick but I live him. When the ball is in his hands he looks like Bucky Irving/Dunn. Just a shifty are tackle player who us quicker and fast twicthed more than fast.
April 23rd, 2025 at 11:07 am
With Ohio State’s history of WR’s doing well in the NFL you really cannot go wrong having one on the outside.
Would not be surprised if the Cardinals @ #16 forgo Defense one round and put a second OSU receiver on the outside to run with Harrison Jr if not just to keep Seattle @ #18 from putting a second one on their roster to pair with Smith Njigba.
Bucs could end up facing Harrison Jr / Egbuka or Smith-Njigma / Egbuka in back to back weeks being in the Hunt with a possible Wild Card spot ending up going to the winner.
April 23rd, 2025 at 11:08 am
It’s harder to find the traditional x wide receiver than it is to find a slot receiver. Not saying that this guy isn’t worth the pick, but it’s why you see some of these guys like kupp in the 4th and the other guy they drafted (6th) and like us with Godwin in the third. I don’t think London is all that special (good for sure) and he was top 10. Of course he may just need more consistent play behind center.
April 23rd, 2025 at 11:35 am
I think the Bucs should target receiver, just not in Round 1. I think the best defensive player available should be taken first. I like the BC linebacker. Joe also wrote about some D lineman I’d be okay with.
At any rate, I suck at player evaluations, so I gave up second guessing the Bucs’ selections. (The last time I complained was when they drafted a damn receiver instead of Johnny Freakin Football!)
April 23rd, 2025 at 11:55 am
Can take Elic Ayomanor in round 2 instead, much better value and hes a Jason Licht type of guy.
April 23rd, 2025 at 12:16 pm
Just when I think I don’t need to drink anymore, I read what casual fans think and reach for another bottle.
April 23rd, 2025 at 12:41 pm
Trade up and get Sanders at QB.
April 23rd, 2025 at 12:44 pm
The Bucs don’t need a Godwin Clone – yah it’s safe, but if they wish to replace Evans one day then they need a true bonafied OUTSIDE X Receiver with a higher ceiling. Now is Tet that guy, I dont think so, but I get the logic
April 23rd, 2025 at 1:34 pm
Please, best available defensive player at #19. We need to elevate the overall play of our defense. You’re not going to do that by adding another receiver, even if he is top shelf. Are we in it to win now or are we building for the future? To win now, we need D help!
April 23rd, 2025 at 1:41 pm
If you watched college football the last 3 years you know Egbuka is a player. Problem was he played with Marv and Smith two absolute studs. Egbuka is a player. Great kid,. I would love this pick. Mike will diminish one day and could happen at any moment. CG had two brutal injuries and he’s not really young. Bake needs weapons. Egbuka could fill either shoes for years to come.
April 23rd, 2025 at 2:04 pm
Tbbf
😁
April 23rd, 2025 at 2:47 pm
I just can’t get past scouting reports saying he has average speed and lacks ideal quickness. To me, a 1st round WR needs to have some special physical abilities, and I just don’t see that. Now, doesn’t mean he can’t and won’t be successful – and I agree he’s a very safe pick, but me, personally, I’m not taking him at 19, and would try to trade back to pick-up picks, then if you still got him, but added an extra 2nd or maybe a 3rd, it would be a lot more palatable to me.
But I also agree with Joe the Bucs should go defense heavy, but if there’s a huge run and offensive guys drop – just remember, you win by outscoring your opponent, and the Bucs lose WR’s every single year for as long as I can remember, so you can’t have too much depth.
April 23rd, 2025 at 2:54 pm
Not sure he’s enough of an outside / downfield threat to be a 1st round pick…
Then again, we didn’t do a ton of downfield throwing last year either…
April 23rd, 2025 at 3:39 pm
I love the the production from Tetairoa McMillan in the last two years.
But lets look behind the numbers a little more.
He led NCAA in targets the last two years with 130 each year.
His size is clearly better than average including maybe his hand size.
But his speed is not special.
His separation is not special.
He does not have a Mike Evans Wingspan.
It is a weak draft so if he falls to 19 and the Bucs want a WR, maybe he is good enough or fine. He might be an excellent NFL football player.
But for me, not at 19, when we have just as talented NFL prospects at positions of need.
April 23rd, 2025 at 3:57 pm
Sammy Crispelli from Humboldt Fog State. Sleeper. Bucs shock the world and pick him on Day 3. He also plays the harmonica.
April 23rd, 2025 at 4:38 pm
Kyle Williams in the second
April 23rd, 2025 at 4:41 pm
geno711 – Keep in mind Evans ran a 4.54, yet has been a deep ball threat his entire career. If you’re smaller, you need speed. But if you’re a big guy, you just rely on being able to outmuscle corners and pick on shorter ones. Vincent Jackson, same thing, always considered a deep ball guy, yet he was slower
BUT, I did not realize McMillan had such short arms, that is quite a big difference between him and Mike.
I do like the tape on McMillan and the idea of stacking the position – but arms nearly 4″ shorter and a nearly 5″ gap in wingspan is quite concerning.
In any case, I don’t think the Bucs are going WR in the first – it would have to be an epic run on defense for that to happen.
April 23rd, 2025 at 4:53 pm
I was curious what Vincent Jackson’s workout numbers were, man, what a beast…
6′ 5″, 241 pounds, ran a 4.46 40, with a 39″ vertical. That’s pretty insane.
April 23rd, 2025 at 6:33 pm
I said all along I have a sneaky suspicion the Bucs draft a W.R at 19…we shall see…but he has to be special, to usurp all the defensive holes we have
April 23rd, 2025 at 6:35 pm
Who is the best W.R in the draft? That’s who u grab in round 1, and only the best, which surely wont be there…otherwise defense
April 23rd, 2025 at 6:35 pm
“Trade up and get Sanders at QB.”
Put down the sauce, bro. This guy is pedestrian. All he’d bring is fat comments from his past-his-prime Daddy. And a lot of sacks.
April 23rd, 2025 at 7:48 pm
“ Trade up and get Sanders at QB.”
This made me pick up the sauce. It’s torture.
April 23rd, 2025 at 11:13 pm
Yo that Pentagon fool just texted me the Bucs draft war plans
April 23rd, 2025 at 11:58 pm
Pretty crazy how few Ohio State players have been drafted by the Bucs. I think it’s only 3 or 4 all time, depending on if you include Noah Spence.