Buccaneers Ex Rival Praises First-Round Draft Pick

Former Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. has no love lost for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Even when he left to join the Baltimore Ravens, the standout receiver would make life miserable for the Bucs.

But even Smith can’t help but speak out on how strong the Buccaneers’ first round selection was.

Tampa Bay drafted Ohio State standout Emeka Egbuka in the first round last weekend in the hopes of being a future star on the team once Mike Evans and Chris Godwin eventually move on in the future.

While Egbuka was not the top receiver taken in the 2025 draft, he remains one of the more consistent from college. And that’s what makes Smith so intrigued with Tampa Bay’s draft selection.

“The biggest thing that I walked away from, talk about a trait — not every guy has this trait, but Egbuka has this trait — quarterback-friendly route running,” Smith said. “He knows where to feel, he knows where the ball should be going and where the ball should not be going and he knows how the defense is being played.”

Egbuka had two 1,000-yard seasons with the Buckeyes during his four-year run with the program and is considered one of the better receivers in Ohio State history.

Smith never played at Ohio State. He wants to see his former Panthers succeed finally after years of dismal football.

But even he can’t deny how good Egbuka is as a player.

And how much the Buccaneers nailed their draft pick here.

Buccaneers Ex Rival Praises First-Round Draft Pick

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