Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sign First Round Pick To $18 Million Deal

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed first-round pick Emeka Egbuka to a four-year contract worth 18.1 million, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Egbuka was taken with the 19th pick in the first round by Tampa Bay and got his contract extension right before the Bucs’ rookie minicamp. 

Egbuka Brings Depth to the WR Position

Egbuka won the National Championship last season with Ohio State, so he knows what it takes to win. He’s a bit bigger than your average receiver, coming in at 6’1, 202 pounds. He will join a solid Buccaneers wide receiver room that includes Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. 

Some Tampa Bay fans think taking Egbuka with the first-round pick was a bit of a surprise, which in hindsight its kind of is. The Tampa Bay defense gave up 29.5 points per game last season, according to The Tampa Bay Times. The pick could’ve been used for some reason on defense, but it’s never a bad thing to have a plethora of receivers. 

The Buccaneers Are Making Sure Baker Mayfield Has Weapons

Baker Mayfield revitalized his career in Tampa Bay, and a big part of it has been due to the consistency of Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. Both receivers have consistently been one of the most productive duos in the league for a good five years or so. However, both of them are young. 

Godwin is 29, and Mike Evans is 31. That’s not old, but it’s old enough to question how many more prime years are left. Chris Godwin is also coming off an injury-plagued season, where he was limited to just seven games with an ankle injury. Drafting Egbuka gives Tampa Bay some ease on not rushing Godwin back, and he’ll be able to make sure he’s at 100 percent for next season.

Last Thoughts 

Although the Buccaneers didn’t go with defense in the first round, they did in rounds 2-6 with two CBs and two edges. While some people are questioning taking Egbuka at 19, let’s look at it from this viewpoint. What’s the main criticism of Egbuka? He wasn’t the best wide receiver at Ohio State, and he’s bigger than your average receiver. 

These criticisms are actually playing in Egbuka and Tampa Bay’s favor. When he suits up, he can be completely himself and not have to try to be anything more. He’ll probably be the third, maybe fourth-best receiver on the Buccaneers. He’ll have no pressure besides the first-round pick pedigree. This is an ideal situation.