On Sunday in New Orleans, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will lean on rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka to anchor their passing game with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin Jr. sidelined. Selected 19th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, Egbuka now moves from high-upside complement to featured target for quarterback Baker Mayfield.

Egbuka’s profile checks every WR1 box at 6-1, 205. The Ohio State product blends polished route-running, strong hands, and advanced processing that translated early to the pro game. Mayfield has already stamped his approval, calling Egbuka “one of one,” a nod to the rookie’s timing, separation skills, and reliability in traffic.

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The transition comes with a schematic tailwind.

New offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard, promoted from pass game coordinator, knows the system and the personnel, and is expected to feature quick-game isolations, option routes, and RPO glances that highlight Egbuka’s short-area quickness while sprinkling in deep crossers and play-action posts.

Expect a heavier dose of bunch stacks and motion to free clean releases, plus red-zone concepts designed to funnel targets to No. 2.

Tampa Bay will also need complementary production from tight ends and backs to prevent bracket coverage from smothering the rookie, but early returns and the staff’s trust suggest Egbuka can carry expanded volume.

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His college tape showcased third-down and two-minute excellence. Now he gets the chance to export that to Sundays as the Bucs work to maintain offensive rhythm without their veteran stars.

All eyes turn to Egbuka in Week 8 and beyond.

If his early trajectory holds, Tampa Bay may have found its next homegrown WR1, right when it needed one most.