Mike Evans compares rookie Emeka Egbuka to Bucs’ $66,000,000 star WR during minicamp

Rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka is already turning heads within the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After being drafted with the No. 19 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Ohio State product is eager to make a statement in his first season as a pro.

Egbuka's four-year college tenure ended with 49 games played, 205 receptions for 2,868 yards, and 24 touchdowns. One of his veterans, Mike Evans, spoke highly of the 22-year-old wide receiver, comparing him to $66 million Chris Godwin, Evans' partner in crime for several years now.

Bucs' reporter River Wells shared the short, yet strong message that Evans, who is looking to record his 12th consecutive season racking up at least 1,000 yards, sent to the exciting rookie.

“He looks like a running back, but he catches like Chris Godwin.”

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have two terrific wide receivers working alongside Baker Mayfield and the addition of a rookie with the traits of Emeka Egbuka can only help this organization. Mike Evans even said that this year's wide receiver room is the best he's been in during his NFL career.

The Buccaneers are coming off a 2024 season full of ups and downs. They got away with the NFC South division title (10-7), but their playoff journey didn't last long, as the inspired Washington Commanders stopped them in the first round.

Emeka Egbuka can add an extra fire to this offense, which is ready to make some noise in the NFC.

Baker Mayfield praises Emeka Egbuka ahead of 2025 NFL season

Emeka Egbuka's impact on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hasn't gone unnoticed. Besides Mike Evans' praise, Baker Mayfield also had positive things to say about the rookie wide receiver. Despite having a complex relationship with the Buckeye Nation after he planted the Oklahoma Sooners' flag in Ohio Stadium, he's cool with Egbuka, with whom he's built chemistry already.

"You can plug-and-play him at any receiver spot." Mayfield said. "That's just him being a pro already. He's not a rookie. He doesn't act like it, at least. It has been really good to take that ownership. He takes it extremely seriously, but he's in constant communication. He always wants to be in the right sport at the right time."

The Atlanta Falcons appear to be a serious threat to the Buccaneers, but the latter's revamped offense can't be slept on.