Biggest x-factor for the Buccaneers
By: Jake Rajala
Emeka Egbuka was the main reason that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers felt comfortable with letting the veteran future Hall of Famer Mike Evans leave this off-season. Egbuka had 938 yards and six touchdowns last season! He had six games with at least 60 yards. Egbuka had a PFF grade 67.3. This was middle of the pack.
Emeka can run any route on the tree. He is physcial, elusive, and he plays with a high motor. He had more play-making ability as a rookie than Chris Godwin had in his rookie season. Speaking of Godwin, the veteran wideout had seven games in 2024 and nine games last season. He has struggled to stay healthy. Some may say that he’s still effective per game, as a healthy WR. That’s not true. He averaged 10.9 yards per game, which was his worst YPG figure as a wideout.
Chris Godwin is also a quality “slot” wide receiver. Egbuka can play in the slot, but he thrives on the perimeter. I wouldn’t be opposed to see the Bucs bring in another WR that can high-point the football and reel in 50/50 balls.
Egbuka can’t be the only x-factor on this squad. They need pieces like Kenneth Walker to rise up to the occassion. He is coming off a career season, where he unleashed 537 rushing yards and 486 receiving yards! Clearly, he is a quality all-purpose back, even if he is 27 years old, and it a bit of a late bloomer.
Egbuka reminds me a lot of Michael Thomas. Emeka doesn’t need to out-run cornerbacks. He can catch 50/50 balls and make fine slants and quick screens. It isn’t easy for WRs to buy into catching balls across the middle that can really hurt players. Well, Emeka can accomplish that.
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