Latest news with #MikeEvans
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
What's in Store for Jalen McMillan in 2025?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and general manager Jason Licht shocked many when they selected Ohio State Buckeyes receiver Emeka Egbuka with their first-round pick in this year's draft. It was surprising to many since the team boasted one of the best offenses and most stable receiver corps in the league a season ago. Advertisement With star wideout Mike Evans still in the fold and Chris Godwin returning in free agency in 2025, the team seemed set at receiver, especially considering rookie and last year's third-round pick, Jalen McMillan, had a breakout second half of the season after Godwin went down with an injury. Now, with the addition of Ebuka to the offense and the receivers room, some are questioning whether it's too crowded with McMillan. ESPN NFL analyst Ben Solak isn't sure how McMillan will fit in the Bucs' new offense with Egbuka in the mix. "I was very bullish on Year 2 for McMillan, who rose nicely to the challenge after Chris Godwin was lost for the season to an ankle injury," Solak wrote. Then the Buccaneers drafted Emeka Egbuka in the first round of the 2025 draft, sliding McMillan squarely into a battle for WR3 responsibilities this season. McMillan is a savvy route runner with better speed than he's given credit for, and he has some spectacular catch ability in him. Advertisement "I still believe in the player, even if the opportunity for high volume is vanishing." There's a chance that Godwin isn't ready to return from his gruesome dislocated ankle suffered in Week 10 last year when the 2025 season starts. If that's the case, having McMillan around is a necessity. With the addition of Egbuka, the team could still have three bona fide starting receivers so Godwin can take his time. When Godwin returns? We'll have to see. Related: Floria Star And Bucs Ex Arrested On Disturbing Child Abuse Charges Related: Can Buccaneers' Emeka Egbuka Be Baker Mayfield's No. 1 Weapon?
Yahoo
3 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
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Biggest Question Mark Next Season Revealed
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Biggest Question Mark Next Season Revealed originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers boasted one of the best offenses last season and return all 11 starters in 2025. Advertisement The team also has a new and unproven offensive coordinator in Josh Grizzard, who replaces Liam Coen, who took the head coaching job in Jacksonville earlier this offseason. While the defense struggled mightily last season, general manager Jason Licht made some wholesale changes in free agency and the draft, and head coach and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles says he's making adjustments to his scheme to improve the unit for the upcoming season. But it's the offense and more specifically, the wideout room, that's the biggest question mark for 2025 as Pro Football Focus noted. "After making the wild-card round, the Buccaneers made sure to retain important free agents and make compelling upgrades at multiple positions. And the team's first-round pick creates a fascinating wide receiver room. Tampa Bay brought back star Chris Godwin (85.7 PFF receiving grade) on a three-year, $66 million deal, but then also drafted Emeka Egbuka (82.4 PFF receiving grade) at 19th overall. On top of that, Mike Evans (90.2 PFF receiving grade) remains one of the league's best receivers, and former third-round pick Jalen McMillan came onto the scene with a 75.8 PFF receiving grade in the final five games of the year. Advertisement "Perhaps Godwin may not be ready for the start of 2025 following ankle surgery, but if he's ready to go, then Tampa Bay won't have an easy call for whom to put next to him and Evans." It's a good problem to have. The team has to figure out who its third-best wideout is among a room with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan and Emeka Egbuka, among others. If the defense improves as we all think it will and the offense can be what it was last season, then the Bucs could be looking at a sixth straight postseason appearance and fifth consecutive NFC South title. Related: Buccaneers' $84M Defender Predicted for Rebound Season Related: Buccaneers' Jalen McMillan Offers 3-Word Scouting Report On Emeka Egbuka This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
24-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
3 Bold predictions for the Bucs offense during the 2025 season
3 Bold predictions for the Bucs offense during the 2025 season The offseason has already been productive for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but GM Jason Licht might not be done with training camp creeping closer. Licht is known for his late-summer fireworks. The smoke signals are already there this year: a franchise cornerstone extended, a potential blockbuster trade in the works, and a splash signing on defense. Mike Evans: Locked In for Life Let's start with the feel-good news. Mike Evans is the greatest player in Bucs history and one of the most consistent receivers the league has ever seen. Licht could make it official this spring, locking Evans in with a multi-year deal that will likely keep him in pewter and red until he retires, as he is set to be a free agent at the end of this season and is playing some of his best football. It's more than a football mov,e it's a legacy move. The team sends a message: Loyalty matters, and the Bucs still believe they can win with No. 13 leading the charge. Trey Hendrickson Trade Heating Up? Now here's where it gets spicy: Trey Hendrickson. The Bengals' edge rusher is reportedly unhappy with his contract situation, and Cincinnati might be open to moving him before camp. Hendrickson would be a massive get for Tampa Bay, adding a proven pass-rushing threat opposite Yaya Diaby and taking pressure off Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey inside. Licht has pulled off surprise trades before (Shaq Mason, Rob Gronkowski, etc.), so don't rule out a bold move if the price is right. Justin Simmons Signing: Veteran Leadership in the Secondary As if the Bucs' defense wasn't already loaded with potential, Licht could bolster the secondary even further by signing Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons. Recently in Atlanta, Simmons still has plenty of juice left and could thrive in Todd Bowles' aggressive, versatile system. With Antoine Winfield Jr. locked in as one of the league's top safeties, pairing him with a ballhawk like Simmons would give the Bucs arguably the best safety tandem in football. This move wouldn't just improve the defense, it would raise the football IQ of the entire back end of the defense.
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Both sides of the ball present as PFF highlights Bucs best players for 2025
Both sides of the ball present as PFF highlights Bucs best players for 2025 Roster building is the best part of every team's year, especially for their fanbase. It brings hope and optimism as they look towards a new year. Once the dust settles on the moves made by teams, it allows for analysts and media to dissect the moves made by them. Trevow Sikkema of PFF picked up the baton and ran with it as he embarked on the unique journey of finding each team's three best players. For the Bucs, he had players on each side of the ball present as he named Mike Evans, Tristan Wirfs, and Antoine Winfield Jr. Sikkema writes, "Evans missed time due to a hamstring injury, making his 11th consecutive 1,000-yard season a dramatic milestone. Still, he posted the second-highest single-season receiving grade of his career at 90.2. Wirfs had a career year, earning a 94.1 pass-blocking grade while allowing just 13 total pressures on 1,061 snaps. Winfield saw a dip to a 57.8 overall grade in 2024 after dealing with injuries, but he nearly won Defensive Player of the Year the season before and is a strong candidate for a bounce-back campaign." With two of the three players missing a good chunk of 2024, having them back in 2025 should allow for the team to have a complete season. Tristan Wirfs is set for another record-breaking season with honors, as well. Mike Evans will look to break his record-breaking tie with Jerry Rice, and Antoine Winfield Jr. will continue to remind folks that he is his own player despite his dad being one of the best players of the last quarter century.
