It really was a smart pick. Especially in light of where the numerous pass rush specialists actually went (save Pearce, who likely was a reach, but only by a bit).
The floor is high, and the ceiling may be as well…especially if all he does is fill a rotational role behind two of the greatest WR duos in history of Buccaneer football (and arguably, the league). He gets to watch & learn two of the best - tutelage by pro-bowlers, all-pro’s, and Hall-of-Fame-r’s.
And that’s before you get to the “I am that man” part of his game…which is a role he aspires to.
No problem with this pick, not what I thought it would be, but rounds 2-7 just set this up for success (provided Morrison is healthy by camp).
It’s not the first time I’ve heard NFL folks & analysts say that the Bucs passing game runs through the slot position. I believe it’s true, has been since BA, and so it’s even clearer as to why we would pick the best slot receiver in this years draft at 19 overall.This from SR's Fab5 was once (faux) controversial here:
"Most Bucs fans think of Godwin as the No. 2 wide receiver in Tampa Bay because he plays alongside future Hall of Famer Mike Evans. But in reality, Godwin is really more of a WR1B to Evans’ WR1A role – rather than being a WR2.
The reason? Because from 2019-2022 and again in 2024, the Bucs passing game ran through the slot receiver position that Godwin has manned. And there have been several years when Godwin was actually the more productive receiver in Tampa Bay."
In 2019, Godwin’s lone Pro Bowl season, he had more catches, more yards and even more touchdowns than Evans, with a career-best 86 receptions for 1,333 yards and nine TDs. Godwin also had 24 more catches (98 to 74) and 68 more yards (1,103 to 1,035) than Evans in 2021 despite missing the final three games of the season due to a brutal knee injury he suffered against the Saints in December.
Last year, Godwin was leading Tampa Bay – and close to leading the league – in receiving with 50 catches for 576 yards and five touchdowns through the first seven weeks of the season, while Evans had 26 receptions for 335 yards and six TDs during that same span."
importantly, SR goes on to say this about our 1st round pick:
Egbuka served in the same capacity at Ohio State last year, serving as WR1B to freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith, who led the Buckeyes with 1,315 yards on 76 catches and 15 touchdowns. Egbuka was the leading receiver with 81 receptions for 1,011 yards and 10 TD
Egbuka had a similar season in 2022 as the WR1B next to Marvin Harrison Jr., who led Ohio State with 77 receptions for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns. During his sophomore season, Egbuka was next with 74 catches for 1,151 yards and 10 score
looking like a great pick so far, but you can never tell
"ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit, a former Ohio State quarterback, likened Egbuka to former Buckeyes star Terry McLaurin, who is Washington’s top receiver. McLaurin is a legit, 1,000-yard receiver and a two-time Pro Bowler.
That comp also makes a lot of sense and reinforces the notion that Egbuka is not only a future starter – but a future star, too."
