The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a big addition to an already great wide receiver room by selecting Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka with the No. 19 pick on Thursday night.
Let's break down what Egbuka will bring to the table as he joins Mike Evans and Chris Godwin in a star-studded receiver group in Tampa Bay.
Experience and college production
With two 1,000 plus yard seasons at Ohio State on his resume, Egbuka has the production that you want to bet on with a first round wide receiver.
Egbuka ranks amongst the most productive of all the star wide receivers to come through Ohio State as he has the most receptions in program history with 205 and the most receiving yards with 2,868.
Consistent route runner
Egbuka’s savviness and technical refinement as a route runner paved the way for him to produce at a high level. Those qualities, along with his ability to change directions and speeds on a dime, make him a very consistent separator and route winner.
Being able to beat man coverage on short and intermediate routes is a valuable skill set in the NFL and Egbuka is someone who can be relied upon to do just that. He also showcased a good ability to find weak spots in zone coverage for catches at Ohio State.
Emeka Egbuka is the PERFECT slot WR for the modern NFL.
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) January 14, 2025
He is a cerebral, technical route runner with reliable hands and savvy ball tracking in traffic.
He has a chance to solidify himself as a first round pick in the National Championship vs. Notre Dame. pic.twitter.com/SuF73xwwf9
Reliable hands
Not only can Egbuka separate at a high level but he also can be relied upon to haul in passes as he was a sure-handed receiver throughout his career for the Buckeyes.
Something that stands out when watching Egbuka is his ability to manipulate defenders when the ball is in the air by not showing his hands until the ball arrives. This was most notably showcased on a 42-yard touchdown in the Rose Bowl.
TD BUCKEYES !
— TBP College Football (@thebluepennant) January 1, 2025
QB Will Howard ➡️ WR Emeka Egbuka. TD de 42 yards ! Totale domination des Buckeyes en ce début de Rose Bowl.
Ohio State 14, Oregon 0
ESPN | #CFBPlayoff | #GoBucks | #GoDucks | #RoseBowlpic.twitter.com/yHf44tq4ni
Ultimately while the selection came as a bit of a surprise considering other needs the Buccaneers came into draft night with, Egbuka is a very reliable receiver who makes for an exciting addition in the short- and long-term.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!