A little bit surprised but not surprised that the team would use a first round pick on a WR given the current state of the roster. It seems to me that the team felt they could have won several contests last year if they had another competent WR in the line up when Godwin and Evans were out with their respective injuries.
Doesn't mean that the Bucs do not shore up the defense with some of their picks but I do not see the Bucs ignoring offense on day 2 or day 3.
Licht was serious when he said they were going BAP and Bowles hinted as much that they wanted to really shore up the offense to score more points.
Yeah, I was pulling for a WR as a disruptor pick - but like the few who felt the same - I was thinking it would be Golden, due to his speed.
Really like Emeka Egbuka for the reasons you point out. Mike & Chris have reached the point in their careers where injuries are causing them to miss some games. Having two competent receivers in JMac & Egbuka to sub for either rotate in or sub for injuries - without a lot of drop off, or having the OC change our playcalling - seems like an absolute cheat code. Also lengthens Mike & Chris careers.
I took Licht at his word - and while he surprised us - he was true to his word!
Keep in mind 3 WR sets is the norm for this offense so the third WR is a starter and there is no indication that it will change under Grizzard's leadership as he likes to play call throws on third down. Now the Bucs have depth and ensure they have three players under contract beyond 2025.
Also, the Bucs were serious about returning their defensive players along with offense players as starters on both sides of the ball. Not many players in this draft would unseat the current starters projected to start on offense or defense.
Bucs definitely went BAP with this one while ensuring that OC Grizzard could continue to do more with an elite passing attack to go with an emerging running game.
I had a feeling the Bucs FO would address WR a lot sooner than most people were projecting (eg day 2) because the Bucs were serious about upgrading the WR unit and the depth based on their comments throughout the off season.
A little bit surprised but not surprised that the team would use a first round pick on a WR given the current state of the roster. It seems to me that the team felt they could have won several contests last year if they had another competent WR in the line up when Godwin and Evans were out with their respective injuries.
This would be a really bad internal analysis if true. The Bucs lost 6 games by 1 score. Here is the autopsy.
- 3 forced turnovers in 6 games.
- 5 offensive turnovers IN THE 4TH QTR
- inability to run the ball in the 4th qtr
Bucs need to get better at forcing turnovers, eliminating turnovers and running the ball when they NEED to.
Banks, Booker and Zabel were off the board, but they basically had their pick of Edge and DB.
My eye balls told me last year that there was coverage breakdowns in pass defense along with dropping OLBs too much in coverage. It seems to me the Bucs as an organization agree that an adjustment to scheme, and play calling would put the defense back on track. Of course adding Reddick helps big time but also having Foote back coaching OLBs helps too.
I do not think the Bucs brass right now view the problems on defense personnel related but more so things they can fix internally. It doesn't mean they still do not pursue Dean's eventual successor for 2026 or maybe draft a safety or nickel that can play day 1. But all signs point to the Bucs looking at defensive developmental prospects more so than players that can unseat the established starters.
A little bit surprised but not surprised that the team would use a first round pick on a WR given the current state of the roster. It seems to me that the team felt they could have won several contests last year if they had another competent WR in the line up when Godwin and Evans were out with their respective injuries.
This would be a really bad internal analysis if true. The Bucs lost 6 games by 1 score. Here is the autopsy.
- 3 forced turnovers in 6 games.
- 5 offensive turnovers IN THE 4TH QTR
- inability to run the ball in the 4th qtr
Bucs need to get better at forcing turnovers, eliminating turnovers and running the ball when they NEED to.
Banks, Booker and Zabel were off the board, but they basically had their pick of Edge and DB.
See you lose your mind over this pick makes me like it that much more
One question about this pick was the status of Godwin. You can see why in Josh Q's article comparing top WR duos:
https://www.pewterreport.com/finding-right-tier-bucs-prolific-wr-duo/
Tampa Bay Bucs – Mike Evans/Chris Godwin
Common games: 26
Combined yards/route run: 2.04 (7th)
Mike Evans: 2.18 yards/route run (11th among top options) – 1,785 yards
Chris Godwin: 1.91 yards/route run (1st among second options) – 1,685 yards
While their overall yards/route run is a bit lower than a few other teams that are ranked behind them, Evans and Godwin still qualify for the elite tier because of the quality of both options. Godwin is the top #2 by the yards/route run metric and Evans is in the second tier of top options. And as is the theme for the pairings listed so far, the two round out the offense together with Godwin working as the bucket-getter short and inside while Evans pushes the defense vertically and as the outside winner.
Grizz describes him like Godwin
Grizzard said Egbuka came endorsed by buddies he had on the Ohio State staff, and landed in Tampa as advertised.
“He just embodies everything we believe in here when it comes to being selfless, tough, disciplined, being able to play multiple positions,” Grizzard said.
Makes even more sense now. Josh Q:
https://www.pewterreport.com/bucs-invest-in-emeka-egbukas-versatility/
"We often think of wide receiver depth charts vertically, as in 1, 2, 3, etc. But this isn’t a very effective way of analyzing the roster. The team primarily uses three different positions – the X, Z and F. Each position requires different skillsets to perform different functions. And in understanding that can lead to a much better understanding of why Egbuka was a bigger need than public perception might think."
"The X (Evans) typically pushes vertically and tilts coverages to his side of the field. 39% of his routes early last year were corners, posts, fades and go’s. While Evans was sidelined with an injury the team tried to use Trey Palmer in this role to very little success.
The F receiver (Godwin) . . was a power-slot role best filled with Chris Godwin. It called for a lot of short-to-intermediate routes with two-way releases for outs, digs, and curls. 53% of Godwin’s routes were of this variety. After Evans’ return in week 11 no receiver fully filled Godwin’s role within the offense
"The team tried to move McMillan into that position, but he lacks the play strength to effectively operate close to the line of scrimmage as a run blocker. He also struggled to match Godwin’s reliability as a catch-on-collision operator."
" Z works from an outside set and attacks the intermediate to deep and out breaking routes. McMillan was the Bucs Z to start the season and still primarily played that position late in the season. The Z attacks intermediate to deep and outside the hashes. 43% of his early season routes were outs, corners and go/fades. The Z plays off the line of scrimmage to avoid physical jams at the line"
"The Bucs saw last year that while they had a talented trio of receivers in Evans, Godwin and McMillan. They had a lack of depth at the X and F positions. These are arguably the two most critical spots in the receiver room. And as good as McMillan showed he can be, he lacks the versatility to play at a high level outside of the Z role. The team saw how difficult it was to manufacture a passing game without an effective F and X receiver"
"Egbuka is a potential solve for both of those issues. As Hynson stated, Egbuka has the skills to play all three positions and thereby provides insurance for when Evans or Godwin isn’t on the field. His best fit is as the F where his physical brand of play and contested catch abilities will shine.
With Egbuka on the roster they can keep Evans primarily in the X."
The more I read the more I love the pick and the kid.
Egbuka has a chance to be the Antonio Brown of the offense but without being a headcase. Yeah that is exciting but also shows that the NFCS defenses may not be able to keep up with the Bucs offense with the addition of Egbuka.
Egbuka has a chance to be the Antonio Brown of the offense but without being a headcase.
it sure sounds that way and wow that would be great.
While a head case, AB was also a blur downfield. While Egbuka can play all 3 spots, he doesn’t have AB’s speed option.
But he’s got sneaky speed, he’s fast out of breaks, and knows & runs a great route tree.
As much as I love him, Egbuka’s still going to have some adjustment to the NFL game/speed. Expectations are that he will do that quickly if he gets some significant touches. I’m actually hoping that CG is back and ready to play - and we only see Egbuka in a rotation basis…
Last season while watching several games with my brother during that great Buckeye run, I saw the slot fit & even compared him to a young Godwin last season, and wished aloud that he could become a Buc. I was as surprised as everyone else when that actually happened. Expectations are high - but they should be for a number one pick.
Cant wait, but still hope Chris Godwin makes it hard for Egbuka to even get on the field!
While a head case, AB was also a blur downfield. While Egbuka can play all 3 spots, he doesn’t have AB’s speed option.
But he’s got sneaky speed, he’s fast out of breaks, and knows & runs a great route tree.
As much as I love him, Egbuka’s still going to have some adjustment to the NFL game/speed. Expectations are that he will do that quickly if he gets some significant touches. I’m actually hoping that CG is back and ready to play - and we only see Egbuka in a rotation basis…
Last season while watching several games with my brother during that great Buckeye run, I saw the slot fit & even compared him to a young Godwin last season, and wished aloud that he could become a Buc. I was as surprised as everyone else when that actually happened. Expectations are high - but they should be for a number one pick.
Cant wait, but still hope Chris Godwin makes it hard for Egbuka to even get on the field!
Brown ran a 4.47
Egbuka ran a 4.48
They are identical in speed
He's also 3 inches taller and 20 pounds heavier.
Now that’s interesting. Nice dig.While a head case, AB was also a blur downfield. While Egbuka can play all 3 spots, he doesn’t have AB’s speed option.
But he’s got sneaky speed, he’s fast out of breaks, and knows & runs a great route tree.
As much as I love him, Egbuka’s still going to have some adjustment to the NFL game/speed. Expectations are that he will do that quickly if he gets some significant touches. I’m actually hoping that CG is back and ready to play - and we only see Egbuka in a rotation basis…
Last season while watching several games with my brother during that great Buckeye run, I saw the slot fit & even compared him to a young Godwin last season, and wished aloud that he could become a Buc. I was as surprised as everyone else when that actually happened. Expectations are high - but they should be for a number one pick.
Cant wait, but still hope Chris Godwin makes it hard for Egbuka to even get on the field!
Brown ran a 4.47
Egbuka ran a 4.48
They are identical in speed
He's also 3 inches taller and 20 pounds heavier.
Dude could be AB…eventually. Still gotta break our new BucBuckeye toy in.
But you have me thinking more than just slot.
