Emeka Egbuka

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are signaling a potential shift in how rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka is used down the stretch of the season. 

After Egbuka caught just one pass in Tampa Bay’s Week 16 loss to the Carolina Panthers, offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard made it clear Wednesday that the team wants to get the rookie more involved. 

“We’ve got to do a better job getting him the ball early,” Grizzard said, per Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com. 

“He’s a guy who can impact the game when he’s involved.” 

As Roto Baller noted, Grizzard’s comments come at a pivotal moment for both the Buccaneers’ offense and fantasy football managers. 

Egbuka’s role has quietly diminished after a blazing start to his rookie campaign. 

Getting Egbuka back to his early-season usage and production would be a major boost for the Bucs’ offense.

Bucs Aim to Reignite Egbuka’s Role 

Grizzard’s message suggests a renewed emphasis on designing touches for Egbuka. 

Earlier this season, Egbuka looked like a focal point of the offense.

He flashed the versatility and talent that made him a first-round pick.

Through his first five games of his NFL career, he had 445 yards and five touchdowns. 

He even had three games over 100 yards in his first nine games. 

Grizzard has always shown his confidence in the rookie. 

He previously praised him as being “light-years ahead” of most young receivers and someone who “embodies everything we want” at the position. 

Despite his recent struggles, that confidence hasn’t wavered internally. 

Grizzard was heavily involved in the draft process that led to Egbuka’s selection and has repeatedly emphasized his belief in the rookie’s long-term role within the offense.

For Tampa Bay, getting Egbuka involved early could help stabilize an offense that has struggled with consistency as of late. 

For fantasy managers heading into Week 17 title games, Grizzard’s comments provide some optimism. 

But Egbuka still carries real risk based on how he’s been used lately. 

Egbuka’s Production Has Slipped

Despite the strong internal support, Egbuka’s on-field production has taken a noticeable dip.

After opening the season as a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate, Egbuka has failed to top 65 receiving yards in six straight games.

He has also found the end zone just once since Week 5.

His role has also been impacted by personnel changes due to the returns of Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan.

This has coincided with two of Egbuka’s lowest snap shares of the season over the past two weeks.

There have also been growing pains typical of a rookie asked to do a lot early.

Grizzard has acknowledged that Egbuka has been tasked with playing multiple receiver spots.

He views this as a major challenge that can slow production even for highly polished prospects.

A few costly drops during this stretch haven’t helped either, further limiting his opportunities.

Still, Grizzard insists the organization’s belief in Egbuka hasn’t changed. 

If the Bucs follow through on that plan, the final weeks of the season could be an important stretch for Egbuka. 

It would give him a chance to regain momentum and show why he was widely viewed as one of the most pro-ready receivers in the draft.

As great as the sign of confidence from his OC is, we will have to see if that translates to improved play on the field.

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