When a player arrives at his first NFL home as a first-round draft pick, there are obviously high expectations that he will develop into one of the team’s core players. In the case of Emeka Egbuka, selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 19th overall back in April, the bar may seem to be set even a bit higher.
Despite obvious needs on defense at cornerback and edge rusher, and with the offense clearly outperforming the defense the season before, the Buccaneers used their top pick on a receiver, adding to a room that already included the likes of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan. That the Bucs would invest that draft capital in a position that was already a strength indicated that they believed Ebugka is a special talent, and the type of person they have stressed in their draft evaluations.
Ebugka hasn’t taken a snap in an NFL game yet, and there are never any guarantees that even the highest-drafted players will hit it big. That said, to this point in his young career, Egbuka has already been even more impressive than the Bucs’ coaches and his teammates could have expected.
“He’s been, in a great way, as expected,” said Offensive Coordinator Josh Grizzard. “Still, even if there is that expectation with him coming in as a first-round pick, he’s even exceeded that, where his communication skills are off the charts. And his ability to pick up the scheme is different than for, say J-Mac, you’re coming back and it’s similar verbiage and things of that nature. What he’s been able to do as a rookie is unbelievable. And then, once the ball is snapped, you guys have seen it, he’s been getting open. You can tell how strong he is through the catch, his YAC’s been great. Of course, he’s a really good blocker. He’s such a cultural fit as well that it’s been a good start for him.”