NFL insider says Bucs were high on another first round target who many pundits had tied to them in mock drafts

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers surprised many people around the country with the selection of Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka with the 19th overall pick in last month's NFL Draft. 

With the Bucs re-signing of Chris Godwin to a three-year deal and Evans still under contract for one more year, the Bucs didn't seem like to take an offensive player in the first round, much less a wide receiver. However, that's exactly what Jason Licht did. 

Many draft experts saw the Bucs going with a defensive player in the first round, and many had targeted Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell as a logical fit for Tampa. 

Well, according to ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, the Bucs "loved" Campbell and had him on their radar, but medical concerns were a factor in them not picking him.

Here's what Fowler had to say about the Bucs and Campbell: 

The Bucs indeed did love Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell, but like other teams, the overall medical profile was a bit of a concern. Corner Maxwell Hairston, who went 30th to Buffalo, also had some love at One Buccaneer Place. But the team's eventual pick at No. 19, receiver Emeka Egbuka, satisfies two areas: He was considered an A-plus prospect, and he helps curb concerns whenever Mike Evans decides to retire. - Jeremy Fowler, ESPN

Campbell, who was eventually selected by the Eagles at the end of the first round, would have made a lot of sense for the Bucs in that he's both a short and long term fit at an area where the Bucs don't have a lot of answers.  Their linebacker play outside of Lavonte David once SirVocea Dennis went down back in September was subpar, and David is surely in the twilight years of his career.  Finding an answer there - someone who could start from day one next to David - would have helped a Bucs defense that looked like it was playing at times without any defenders in the middle of the field with the way they were carved up last year by some teams. 

That being said, at the end of the day, can you question Licht when it comes to evaluating and drafting impactful wide receivers? After Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and now Jalen McMillan, no, you really can't.  As such, fans should expect the Bucs have an outstanding replacement waiting in the wings whenever Evans decides he's ready to hang them up.