Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Emeka Egbuka set to play key role for Buccaneers as WR injuries test depth

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Aug 19, 2025 6:52 PM ET

When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected wide receiver Emeka Egbuka with pick No. 19 in the 2025 NFL Draft, the choice seemed surprising.

The Buccaneers already have a talented receiving corps, which features Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Now that the team's WR room is injury riddled, though, it could look brilliant for taking Egbuka.

On Tuesday, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles confirmed WR Jalen McMillan will miss the start of the regular season because of a neck injury. The pass-catcher landed on his head after a massive hit in Saturday's 17-14 preseason win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Godwin may not be ready for the start of the regular season, either. He suffered a season-ending ankle injury in a loss to the Baltimore Ravens last season and is still rehabbing. Tampa Bay WR Trey Palmer, meanwhile, is battling a hamstring issue.

Enter Egbuka, who could help Tampa overcome the WR issues.

In a Monday interview, Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield told Yahoo Sports' Caroline Fenton that Egbuka's football IQ could help him become one of the league's best WRs.

Bowles has echoed those sentiments about the former Ohio State Buckeyes star.

"Could [Emeka] Egbuka be a No. 1, right now, on any other team?"

"Absolutely."

Coach Todd Bowles says rookie WR Emeka Egbuka already carries himself like a pro — doing all the little things right @heykayadams | @Buccaneers #WeAreTheKrewe pic.twitter.com/w9GBZyGSpy
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) August 6, 2025

"Absolutely," the coach told FanDuel's Kay Adams on Aug. 6 when asked if Egbuka could be a No. 1 WR on another team. "Complete player, professional, can play all three [WR spots]."

Ohio State's track record at WR should make Buccaneers fans feel more confident in Egbuka. The Buckeyes have produced multiple star wideouts, including Garrett Wilson of the New York Jets and Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks.

The WR injuries could still be a problem for a Tampa team that leans on its passing attack. In 2024, the Buccaneers ranked 10th in the league in passing attempts (571) and third in passing yards (250.4).

With Egbuka already showing star potential, expect the Buccaneers to target him frequently during the season. If he delivers, the WR will help Tampa's passing attack keep rolling this season.

He would also make the team look wise for taking him, despite WR not being a need entering the draft.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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