The first Buckeye off the board on draft night wasn’t a surprise to anyone paying attention to the wideout factory that is Ohio State. At pick No. 19, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers doubled down on firepower and future by selecting Emeka Egbuka. A refined route-runner, crisp separator, and technician in space. He now joins the high-profile fraternity of first-round OSU receivers that includes Marvin Harrison Jr., Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Chris Olave, Jameson Williams, and Garrett Wilson. The Tampa war room erupted with smiles, and for good reason: they didn’t just draft a stat sheet stuffer—they drafted a culture fit, a competitor, and a day-one contributor.

But what makes the Emeka Egbuka pick even more intriguing isn’t just his hands or his route discipline; it’s the veteran quarterback he’s about to line up with. Baker Mayfield isn’t a fresh face, but he’s found fresh footing in Tampa Bay. And that’s exactly what excites Egbuka. “Heisman winner. There’s not too many people who have that achievement. And he’s done great things as well in the league. He’s had successful receivers all the way around him. So, I’m just excited to be able to learn and to grow with him at the helm of everything I’m doing—a seasoned vet like he is,” he said to Bucknuts 247Sports.

Egbuka and Mayfield have already started connecting—even if it’s only through the screen for now. “We were able to talk briefly. He text me shortly after I got drafted. So, you know, just good to know that he’s excited with the pick as well. I just can’t wait to get to work.” That chemistry, even in its infancy, matters. Mayfield just wrapped up a comeback campaign with a 10-7 record, an NFC South title, and a respectable showing in the Wild Card round. He threw for over 4,000 yards for the first time in his career and looked more composed than ever behind center. Now, he adds Emeka Egbuka to a room already headlined by Mike Evans and Chris Godwin—a trio that could quietly become one of the most complete in the league.

Egbuka brings more than numbers, though the digits are loud enough. He walks into the NFL as Ohio State’s all-time receptions leader with 205 catches. He racked up 2,868 yards and 24 touchdowns in a career that was as efficient as it was electric. What separates him is polish—his ability to vary tempo in routes, stack DBs at the stem, and create leverage in tight spaces. It’s why Tampa Bay felt confident enough to pull the trigger in the first round despite having two Pro Bowl-caliber receivers already in the building.

He chose Ohio State for a reason—competition. Now, he walks into another room where he’ll learn behind arguably the most underrated tandem in the league. Evans, a future Hall of Famer, and Godwin, one of the NFL’s most reliable slot threats, offer the perfect mentorship blueprint for a young receiver looking to sharpen his game. And that’s exactly what GM Jason Licht envisioned, even if the selection caught some by surprise on paper.

The pick wasn’t a reaction—it was part of the plan. It was in the cards all along, offering a glimpse into Tampa’s draft board—one that clearly saw Egbuka as a seamless fit. The Buccaneers didn’t just get a weapon—they got a wide receiver with purpose.

Too good to pass up, simple: why the Bucs went big on Emeka Egbuka

When the Buccaneers were on the clock during the 2025 NFL Draft, some fans were expecting a splash on the defensive side. Edge rusher, linebacker, maybe someone in the secondary. Instead, Tampa surprised many by pulling the trigger on WR Emeka Egbuka. But according to GM Licht and HC Todd Bowles, this wasn’t some spur-of-the-moment curveball. The Bucs had their sights set on the Ohio State standout for a while.

“Adding another great receiver—Todd [Bowles] has said all along… a good offense can help a defense. It’s about scoring points, and it’s exciting to add him to the mix,” Licht explained after the pick. “Todd [Bowles] and I said that if this player is here, we’re gonna take him.”

Sure, the defense still has question marks, and Licht acknowledged that. But when it came down to Egbuka’s talent and long-term potential, the choice became a no-brainer.

“Yeah. Obviously, we’ll see how that turns out,” Licht added. “But it just felt like with him, it was too good to pass up… it was kinda a perfect pick where it helps us now, and it really helps us in the future.” Now, Egbuka steps into a loaded WR room, ready to prove he’s worth the hype. Defense? That’s what Day 2 is for.