Latest news with #EmekaEgbuka
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bucs 'Exploding' Toward NFL Dark-Horse Success In 2025
Bucs 'Exploding' Toward NFL Dark-Horse Success In 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. We are at the point in the NFL offseason where everyone thinks their team has what it takes to go all the way and hoist the Lombardi trophy, but in reality, only a select few have the credentials to do so. Advertisement And one might be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Yes, we hear you laughing, and granted, this is just a projection, but looking at Todd Bowles' roster, after a solid offseason that got Baker Mayfield another weapon in Emeka Egbuka, and Haason Reddick was signed, Tampa Bay does have a roster that is at least capable of playing at the big boy table in the NFC. And for Eric Edholm, in his top-10 most complete rosters entering the 2025 season, the Buccaneers land at No. 7. "Baker Mayfield's reemergence is a major reason for them landing in the top 10, but the overall health of the roster might be as strong as it has been since Brady led the Bucs to a Super Bowl title five years ago," Edholm writes. Advertisement "The Bucs might lack true blue-chip talent at several positions, and not everyone might be convinced that Mayfield is a true difference-maker and winner. But the pieces are there for another division-title run -- and perhaps more. If the explosive offense hits peak performance, this might be one of the higher-scoring attacks in the league." Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) is congratulated by quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago Bears.© Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images Seen as favorites for the division title, if we are being honest, that is the minimum pass mark for Mayfield and Co. in 2025. With a defense that has added Reddick and has two new corners in draftees Benjamin Morrison (second round) and Jacob Parrish (third round), the unit looks to have gotten a little more stout. Advertisement But offensively is where it's at for Tampa Bay. A receiver room housing Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, and now Emeka Egbuka, plus tight end Cade Otten and running backs Bucky Irving, Rachaad White, and Sean Tucker, the offense under Josh Grizzard will be the straw that stirs the team's drink. If, and that's a big if, the Buccaneers can avoid the injury bug, which decimated both sides of the ball last season, they have the potential to do some nasty damage this season. And it is for that very reason that Tampa Bay might be poised for a deep playoff run, possibly more. Related: ESPN Analyst Gives Strong Prediction on 2025 Bucs Related: Bucs Lavonte David Speaks Out on Most Challenging 'Tree' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Buccaneers' Jalen McMillan Offers 3-Word Scouting Report On Emeka Egbuka
Buccaneers' Jalen McMillan Offers 3-Word Scouting Report On Emeka Egbuka originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Jalen McMillan will have to earn his reps in 2025, as the offense boasts an embarrassment of riches at the receiver position. Advertisement Already finding it hard to get ample targets with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Cade Otton, McMillan now sees first-round pick Emeka Egbuka come to the NFC South champs. That is a lot of mouths to feed, but McMillan had quite the rookie season for himself as the franchise appears to be gearing up for a changing of the guard in a couple of seasons. Evans and Godwin are getting long in the tooth, leaving McMillan and Egbuka to take over. But what are Jalen's thoughts on his newest teammate? "He's a pro," McMillan said. "Really serious about practice and just already knows damn near half the playbook. So, I'm really excited for his growth and his future here." Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Emeka Egbuka catches a pass during the pro day for NFL scouts at the Woody Hayes Athletic CenteAdam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The Buccaneers' offense, led by Baker Mayfield, has the potential to be one of the top units in football, and their loaded receiver room is a significant reason why. Advertisement McMillan finished with eight touchdowns and 461 yards in his rookie season, while Evans again surpassed 1,000 yards with Godwin injured. Now we add Egbuka, a slot merchant, to complement the weapons already at Mayfield's disposal, and on paper, it is hard to envision the Buccaneers not having a successful 2025 season. The big watch will be how Baker keeps all his weapons happy, and with McMillan and Egbuka seemingly already touted as the next in line to the receiver throne, the duo could have a big say in how far the team goes in 2025. Related: Buccaneers' $84M Defender Predicted for Rebound Season Related: Insider Reveals Buccaneers Top Remaining Offseason Priority This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Pittsburgh Steelers Calling about Buccaneers Receiver
Pittsburgh Steelers Calling about Buccaneers Receiver originally appeared on Athlon Sports. It was previously written about how crowded the wide receiver room is becoming in Tampa Bay. With the team drafting rookies Emeka Egbuka, expecting the return of injured star Chris Godwin alongside Mike Evans, and the emergence of Jalen McMillan in his absence, they are definitely crowded at the position. Advertisement The Pittsburgh Steelers may be willing to help alleviate some of the issue. According to the below note from Zachary Smith of Steelers Now, the Steelers have inquired as to the availability of speedy wide receiver Trey Palmer. Palmer, a former sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft from the LSU Tigers, has always shown his ability to take the top off of the defense with his speed, running a blazing 4.33 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He won a championship in 2019 with the Tigers. As you may recall, that team was loaded at receiver as well with the likes of Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and Terrace Marshall Jr. Advertisement While he has not put up any eye-popping statistics, he would bring a viable fill-in for the recently departed George Pickens. Palmer has shown very consistent hands, and other than the three fumbles his rookie year, he managed to keep from fumbling in 2024. The Steelers definitely need the help at receiver, and the Buccaneers are always looking to add more draft capital. If the Buccaneers could manage anywhere from a fourth to sixth round pick for a guy who they are currently not using, it may benefit both teams. They always seem to find talent buried late in the draft, and one example of this is their fourth-round find from last year, Bucky Irving. Related: Buccaneers Offensive Star Ranked Near Top of NFL Related: Buccaneers Offensive Weapons Get Impressive Ranking This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bucs Major Change Predicted on Depth Chart
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offense, on paper, is one of the best in football, and that was before the NFL Draft. Now we add receiver Emeka Egbuka, and Baker Mayfield has a list of weapons that are the envy of the league. The group consists of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, and Cade Otton, but there is a problem - only one football. Advertisement Plus, with four genuine receivers and a stud tight end, not all can be on the field at the same time, which means someone will have to miss out. For Bleacher Report's Matt Holder, in picking each team's starting lineup for 2025, has Egbuka beating out McMillan for a starting role and relegating the eight-touchdown weapon from a year ago, to the bench. "Unless Godwin suffers a setback in his rehab, there shouldn't be many surprises coming from Tampa Bay's offense this summer," Holder wrote. "Egbuka will likely become the team's third wide receiver after being selected in the first round, leaving Jalen McMillan and Sterling Shepard to battle it out as the first wideout off the bench." Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka brushes off Oregon Ducks tackler in College Football Playoff Cairns/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images That is a big call, and in truth, Egbuka, being a first-round pick, will likely get all the reps to acclimate to the offense this offseason, potentially leaving McMillan to pick up the scraps. Advertisement Granted, this won't be an easy battle for Egbuka to win, with McMillan already developing chemistry with Mayfield and playing 13 games in his rookie season. But with the sheer number of quality weapons at Baker's disposal, it will be a battle to watch in training camp, and someone will miss out. And Holden thinks it will be McMillan who sees his snap count decrease. Related: Buccaneers Earn Monster Grade After Offseason Deals Related: Shilo Sanders Boasts 'I Always Do Something Great' in Bucs Roster Bid
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Buccaneers Still Doubted By 'Haters' With Brutal 2025 Prediction
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers already have enough bulletin board material for their 2025 season, and a host of publications are doubting their potential this upcoming year. And we've just got another. Despite the Buccaneers coming off yet another playoff season in 2024, Baker Mayfield playing the best season of his career (4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns) and the additions of Emeka Egbuka and Haason Reddick, some still aren't sold on Todd Bowles' team. Advertisement In fact, some have them finishing third in the division, like Gilbert Manzano, who has the franchise with an 8-9 record in 2025. Yikes. "It's probably not wise to doubt the Buccaneers, who have won four consecutive NFC South titles," he writes. "However, Baker Mayfield, who will be without former offensive coordinator Liam Coen, has a tough slate, including road matchups against the Texans, Lions, Bills and Rams. The Buccaneers can prove they're still the team to beat in the division by knocking off the Falcons at home in Week 1." Nov 10, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is pressured by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Leonard Floyd (56) in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium.© Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Granted, this is purely subjective and based on what we "think" might happen, but an 8-9 record with the Buccaneers' schedule we think is a little thin. Advertisement But Manzano also has the Atlanta Falcons (8-9) and the Carolina Panthers (10-7) ahead of Tampa Bay. And if you're a Bucs fan? You wonder why the "haters'' think as they do. If the Buccaneers needed any more bulletin board material to begin training camp with, they just got it with a third-place finish and their worst record since 2022. The Buccaneers, for most, are one of the teams that can challenge in the NFC, but not for Manzano, who has Tampa failing spectacularly after having lofty expectations entering the year. Related: Bucs Predicted To Fix Most Worrisome Flaw Related: Will Bucs Star WR Make History in 2025?
