22 year old first round pick Emeka Egbuka has been making claims as the best wide receiver to come out of the 2025 NFL draft class for a while, but following an impressive showing against the Steelers in week 2 of pre-season, Egbuka is making claims not only as one of the best receivers of the draft, but as the best receiver in Tampa Bay.
Beating out veterans Mike Evans and Chris Goodwin will be no easy task for Egbuka, but his overall game against the Steelers, and his rapid improvement and adaptation to NFL speed means his road to being receiver number one in Tampa isn't as far as most may think. Egbuka will for sure be a top target for Baker Mayfield this season, and his speed and hands were highlighted early in pre-season, and his ability highlighted that the number one spot in Tampa is his in the near future.
During his college career Egbuka was contending against some of the best receivers now in the NFL, and was always under pressure to compete and be the best. Now, although nothing has changed, the situation in Tampa means the veteran advice and guidance by Mike Evans may mean Egbuka is poised for greatness in Tampa, and he is the heir to the throne for the starting receiver job following Evans’ near retirement.
However, as Mike Evans showed no signs of slowing down, continuing to post up 1,000 yard receiving seasons, and showing up consistently in big games, alongside Tampa Bay being poised for a big year under Todd Bowles, Egbuka will simply take year one as time to learn, and take the time under Evans’ wing as time to elevate his game to the next level.
Sizing up, understanding his true abilities, and applying his sky high talent to the max is what Egbuka is poised to do in his rookie year, and in a year or two, he could even be the main man in Tampa. As highly talked about as he was in Ohio State, and the potential he has going forward, dethroning Mike Evans isn't fully out of the question, and his situation in Tampa is the perfect place to develop and learn in order to make his career great early on in the NFL. He may not be the starter yet, but plenty of reps and experience will only mean the road to WR1 gets shorter and shorter for Emeka Egbuka.
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