Bucs Long-Term Goal Revealed by Emeka Egbuka Draft Pick
Mike Evans and Chris Godwin were a good start, and then the franchise added Jalen McMillan in the third round of last year's draft. In the final five regular-season games, he hauled in seven touchdowns, so what can be expected of him in Year 2 is substantial.
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On that alone, looking at the 2025 season, it is a good starting point, but now we add in the first-round pick of Emeka Egbuka. Whew.
But why did the Bucs take him? CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin has a theory.
The Bucs didn't "need" to spend such an early pick on wideout, but with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin both aging, Egbuka's entry as a trusted target feels like a proactive victory," Benjamin writes.
Egbuka To Buccaneers By Tony Fisher
Given that Evans is coming towards the end of his career, and Godwin is approaching 30 years old, looking long-term at the receiver position might not be a bad bet.
McMillan will be in his second season, and now with Egbuka, the Buccaneers have two young, talented receivers who can grow up in the league together with Baker Mayfield.
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Given how the injury bug sank its teeth into the Buccaneers last season, we can't begrudge them for adding more receiver insurance, as Mayfield was without both Evans (a month) and Godwin (lost for the season after Week 7) for a prolonged period.
They don't want lightning to strike twice, hence the Egbuka selection in the first round, which now gives the offense, under Josh Grizzard, some serious wriggle room when it comes to the receiving position.
Not to mention a solid long-term plan as well.
Related: Emeka Egbuka's 'Very Rare' Trait Revealed by Bucs Coach
Related: ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. Gives Bucs Surprising NFL Draft Grade
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