When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Emeka Egbuka with the 19th pick in April, it raised more than a few eyebrows. Analysts and fans alike were caught off guard for several reasons. It marked the first time the team had taken a wide receiver in the first round since general manager Jason Licht’s tenure began, his inaugural pick being Mike Evans at No. 7 in 2014.
Additionally, the Buccaneers’ wide receiver room was already considered one of the deepest in the league, making the decision all the more surprising.
Now, as training camp enters its final stages, that decision is beginning to make sense. On Tuesday, coach Todd Bowles confirmed that wide receiver Jalen McMillan would miss some time due to a severe neck injury he sustained during Saturday’s preseason victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
After Bowles’ announcement, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reported that McMillan could be sidelined beyond the team’s Week 9 bye.
According to Bucs reporter Scott Smith, that is why the selection of Egbuka makes so much sense.
“The Buccaneers had experienced first-hand in 2024 the need for depth at the position while weathering injuries to Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, and also considered Egbuka a special talent they couldn’t pass by,” Smith wrote.
Emeka Egbuka is SO GOOD. pic.twitter.com/aopVeUYilB
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) August 7, 2025
Egbuka will have a prominent role in 2025, not just because of McMillan’s injury. With Godwin returning from his own setback, the Bucs can’t put too much load on him early on. That means Egbuka needs to be game-ready right from the start.
The Buccaneers have solid receiving depth with players like Trey Palmer, Sterling Shepard, Rakim Jarrett, Kameron Johnson and Ryan Miller on the roster. However, it will be Emeka Egbuka’s time to shine if he steps up and takes on the responsibility early in the season.
