The Buccaneers went with the best-player-available approach in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft and selected Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka. Next up in the talented pipeline featuring Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Marvin Harrison Jr., Egbuka joins the NFL fraternity after a prolific tenure for the Buckeyes. He joins a receiving room brimming with talent, including one of the most dynamic tandems in the NFL in jump-ball specialist Mike Evans and YAC-artist Chris Godwin. Both of the aforementioned names dealt with injuries in 2024, and the Bucs added talent to bolster the room and elevate 11 personnel groupings.

From the time Egbuka stepped on the field in Columbus, he set the tone. Egbuka concluded his career with the most catches in Ohio State archives (205) and second in receiving yards (behind Michael Jenkins). He lined up all over the formation for the Buckeyes but primarily worked out of the slot. Egbuka will now present another friendly target for Baker Mayfield with his route-running precision and control at the catch point.

"Yeah, again, I think that every draft you go into, there are always a handful of players that you don't even have to spend a whole lot of time on them," said Vice President of Player Personnel Mike Biehl. "Because [of] all of the information we gathered from Ohio State, the amount of film that we've watched on the guy… honestly, we thought he would come out last year. I mean, he was good enough to, which is another testament to him, choosing to go back and solidifying his legacy in the [wide] receiver room they had there, and win a national championship. It's kind of rare these days. I know NIL has changed it a little bit and there are more guys going back because of that but it's just another testament to him. I think with all of the information we had – it made it easy. So, to your point, yes, he's been a guy that has been pretty high on our board for a long time."

Prior to suffering a dislocated ankle that ended his 2024 campaign prematurely, Chris Godwin had reverted back to his full-time role in the slot and led the NFL in receptions (50), receiving first downs (30) and yards after catch (324), while tying for first in receiving touchdowns (five) and he ranking second in catch percentage (81.1% - min. 25 targets) and third in receiving yards (511). He is projected to be ready for the start of the season and has progressed well, taking the process day-by-day. The coaching staff will likely utilize the versatility of both Godwin and Egbuka, playing them both out wide and in the slot to stress defenses.