Latest news with #JalenMcMillan
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
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bucs Long-Term Goal Revealed by Emeka Egbuka Draft Pick
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had one of the better offenses in football last season, with a receiver room the envy of the league. 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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
