Bucs Analyst Triggers 'Worst Draft Pick' Controversy

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Apr 30, 2025 9:14 AM ET

For most, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were going defense with their first-round selection, given the needs at linebacker, edge, and corner.

But the franchise zigged when most thought they would zag, and the Bucs selected Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka.

What was odd, if you want to call it that, about the pick was that the Buccaneers' receiver room was already loaded with Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, Jalen McMillan, and even Cade Otten.

Now we add in Egbuka, and that is a lot of mouths to feed with just one football, and it is due to that, CBS Sports' Pete Prisco has named Emeka's selection as Tampa Bay's worst.

"I think receiver Emeka Egbuka is a heck of a player," Prisco writes. "But I might have gone corner or edge in the first. Having said that, I understand the pick because of the age of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin's injury."

So yes, the pick was a little odd given the position's embarrassment of riches, but it might also have been made with an eye towards the future, with Evans and Godwin getting on in age.

Still, amid any arguing about a controversy here, we can't really say Egbuka was Tampa's "worst" pick given his talent in college, but the opportunity for consistent reps might be tough to come by with McMillan, Evans, and Godwin all ahead of him.

We are sure that offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard will find a way to utilize Emeka's abilities in his rookie season, and we think that when we look back on this in 12 months time, the pick of Egbuka will be anything but the Buccaneers' worst draft choice.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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