What do you expect in 2026?
Josh Q is doing a great series on him. Well worth checking out. In the first installment he points out that Egbuka is not really an X because hes not physical enough to beat press man consistently. He points out that physical press coverage was the first thing that slowed Egbuka, who is more Godwin zone beater than Evans X.
And on the point, I a NOT suggesting that Evans departure was tied to Egbuka (because again, Egbuka is more Godwin than Evans) BUTin his 2nd installment ( https://www.pewterreport.com/revisiting-emeka-egbukas-rookie-season-q2/) Josh Q teases his 3rd installment with this:
"And one piece of context shifts underneath all of it. He has another quarter of the season without Evans that forces him into the X role more. But in weeks 15-18 Evans returns. How does that change Egbuka’s usage, usage rate and production?"
Egbuka did not see a material change in targets when Evans, Godwin, and McMillan returned
his decline was just a funk
that being said, I’d be disappointed if he didn’t break 1000 yards. My guess is both and Godwin go over 1,000 if things go according to plan
his decline was just a funk
He played in a different role. That is one of the points that Josh Q is making. Moved out to the X
He does mention long college season too, but I think the thing he seizes on is the change in role and the man press cover associated withit.
I guess we will see what the film says about the next games in Josh Qs breakdown
I’d be disappointed if he didn’t break 1000 yards
me too
Egbuka did not see a material change in targets when Evans, Godwin, and McMillan returned
his decline was just a funk
Yeah, way too many dropped balls.
He clearly got the yips. That was compounded by Baker missing him to get his confidence back. That was compounded by Bowles simping the offense to protect the defense. That was compounded by Grizz having zero clue what to do when Baker wasn't bailing him out with his legs.
In the end, I struggle at judging last year because our coaching staff was such a fucking joke/disaster that we couldn't go 500 vs non-playoff teams down the stretch.
It's just hard to judge but I know a good coordinator will help the wr gain his confidence back with some easy short throws. Just like a good coordinator will help get a QB his swag back with some easy quick/short throws.
Grizz isn't 100% to blame of course but it's yet another example of "how the fuck do I even judge last year" when RBs are being hit in the back field, Baker is throwing out his shoulder with a meaningless hail Mary, route trees are all slow developing plays needing elite accuracy, screens are abandoned, and we go hyper conservative to eat clock so the defense has a chance to not get dragged around the field because our LBs are wearing adult diapers and our pass rush is eating turf.
Egbuka looked gassed toward the end of the year and I think he will be ready to go this year. Plus, you have Godwin and McMillan back to full force as well as Ted Hurst and T. Johnson in the wings. On paper this is a top 15 WR group but if the Bucs can obtain 3k yards from this WR group they are easily a top 10 group.
The challenge will be similar to last year though, no true X. In that list of top 5 WR groups each one has an "X" style player, a player who isa destroyer of man/press, shades a safety etc. Egbuka could not do that consistently last year when put in the X role
Pre-snap motion and lots of interchangeable formations have made the X less and less of a static thing.
Here are your top 6 true X receivers in the league.
Pickens
Evans
AJ Brown
Sutton
Higgins
Adams
Not many teams use a true X. Will be interesting to see how Hurst Develops.
Pre-snap motion and lots of interchangeable formations have made the X less and less of a static thing.
Not many teams use a true X.
Yes agreed, but all those top teams have someone who defenses often have to double or bracket. Egbuka ran into that last season, so maybe healthier Godwin or McMillan or even Hurst makes teams pay for that
Pre-snap motion and lots of interchangeable formations have made the X less and less of a static thing.
Here are your top 6 true X receivers in the league.
Pickens
Evans
AJ Brown
Sutton
Higgins
Adams
Not many teams use a true X. Will be interesting to see how Hurst Develops.
Your list is inaccurate and incomplete. I'm sure the experts here will be along with corrections soon.
The challenge will be similar to last year though, no true X. In that list of top 5 WR groups each one has an "X" style player, a player who isa destroyer of man/press, shades a safety etc. Egbuka could not do that consistently last year when put in the X role
Until Hurst comes along, JMac will see the majority of X snaps.