Quarterback Baker Mayfield approves of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ first-round decide.
The Buccaneers chosen Ohio State Buckeyes extensive receiver Emeka Egbuka with decide No. 19 within the 2025 NFL Draft. He is already making an impression in preseason. Throughout Saturday’s 17-14 street win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the 22-year-old made an acrobatic landing seize within the first quarter.
Count on him to make extra huge performs through the common season. Mayfield mentioned Egbuka’s thoughts might assist him turn into one of many league’s finest wideouts in an interview with Yahoo Sports’ Caroline Fenton.
“Clearly, a man being drafted within the first spherical, it’s important to have the bodily expertise, however that is not what separates him,” Mayfield mentioned. “I imply, he is obtained all of the expertise on this planet. However upstairs, the psychological facet of it, he is a wise cookie.”
Egbuka’s soccer IQ was on full show when the Buckeyes beat the Notre Dame Preventing Irish 34-23 in final season’s School Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship.
Egbuka told Ohio State coaches they need to have fellow WR Jeremiah Smith run a go route in opposition to Notre Dame cornerback Christian Grey as a result of it was a matchup the group might exploit. The Buckeyes heeded his recommendation, tossing a 56-yard cross to Smith late within the fourth quarter, sealing the sport.
Contemplating the WR thinks like a coach, it should not be shocking he already has a grip on the Buccaneers playbook.
“He is aware of the offense, and this isn’t a simple one to study, however he can plug and play any receiver spot for us proper now, which is a good attribute to have,” Mayfield mentioned. “We have been by means of years that you simply lose guys in the course of the season. It is the character of the sport. So him with the ability to be a man that is versatile and assist us out wherever, it is large.”
In October 2024, Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin suffered a season-ending ankle injury throughout a loss to the Baltimore Ravens. It is unclear whether or not the one-time Professional Bowler will likely be prepared for the regular-season opener in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons.
With that in thoughts, it is good for Tampa that Egbuka already appears able to step in and thrive.
