Did the Bucs Make the Right Call or Blow It?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers The first round was quite surprising. There were many predictions suggesting that the Buccaneers would either trade back or choose a defensive player. However, they remained at their original position and selected Emeka Egbuka—a wide receiver—to join what is already an exceptionally gifted group within the franchise. This decision has garnered varied reactions from fans, to put it mildly.

Despite this, the Buccaneers remained forthright during the pre-draft proceedings, repeatedly asserting that they would not overlook strengthening their offensive capabilities to address deficiencies on defense. Both Todd Bowles and Jason Licht consistently hinted that bolstering the wide receiver position was high on their priority list, hence the astonishment should not have come as such a surprise. The skepticism stemmed from the fact that Tampa Bay’s offense ranked among the best last year, whereas Todd Bowles' defense appeared sluggish and ineffective at times. As with all situations, there are advantages and disadvantages here — these are the areas where the Buccaneers succeeded and those where they fell short.

How the Buccaneers Made It Work

After getting over the initial disappointment that Tampa did not acquire a defensive playmaker, Emeka Egbuka emerges as a promising prospect. He comes with an impressive background in wide receiving, following in the footsteps of notable predecessors.

The Buccaneers may not need an extra wide receiver was added, however, the receiving corps faced significant depth issues last season. Both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin were sidelined during the game. Baltimore Ravens Jalen McMillan participated in just 13 games, and Baker Mayfield had to step up for crucial, season-defining matches with Ryan Miller and Sterling Shepard leading the way.

The Buccaneers' choice of Egbuka appears to ease Jason Licht's concerns regarding his team's capability to throw the ball effectively. However, their capacity to prevent opposing teams from completing passes continues to be a potential problem, which starkly contrasts with our initial observation.

What Went Wrong for the Buccaneers

In the 2025 draft, we witness an unusual scenario where criticism towards a choice stems not from the individual picked but rather from broader circumstances. For fans of the Tampa Bay team, choosing Egbuka is extremely perplexing and nearly infuriating because numerous other positions required significant improvement and deserved higher-quality reinforcements. The Buccaneers boast one of the best offenses already and managed to retain all eleven starting players from last year’s lineup, indicating minimal weaknesses surrounding quarterback Baker Mayfield.

Last season, the team showed moments of solid defensive play, yet they struggled significantly against Kirk Cousins in two encounters. Additionally, during the playoffs, they were unable to force even one punt and faced multiple instances where making a crucial stop or playing decisively could have sealed victories for them. Instead of capitalizing on these opportunities, Todd Bowles' squad faltered under pressure. This consistent inability to perform when needed has frustrated fans over recent years and eventually led to changes within the organization as Tampa sought improvements heading into the new season.

To find more Bucs coverage, visit us here:

@Will_Walsh_NFL (X)

@Bucs_Nation (X)

@Will_Walsh_NFL (YouTube)