The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and general manager Jason Licht shocked many by selecting Ohio State wideout Emeka Egbuka in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Tampa Bay was thought to want a top defensive player here, but the selection of Egbuka showed the draft prowess of Licht.
Several media outlets labeled the pick as "questionable" at the time, but now that we know the circumstances surrounding the recovery of Chris Godwin, the pick makes perfect sense.
Especially considering the defensive players Licht was able to get in Green Bay later in the draft.
Egbuka was one of the rookies who CBS Sports labeled as "having the most to prove at mandatory minicamp."
WR Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers
"The announcement of Egbuka as Tampa Bay's selection in the first round came as a surprise. The presence of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan did not deter them from taking a long-term approach to the position. By taking Egbuka, it suggests that he was rated more highly than others available to them in that moment. Will he prove to them that was the correct decision from Day 1?
"The announcement of Egbuka as Tampa Bay's selection in the first round came as a surprise. The presence of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan did not deter them from taking a long-term approach to the position. By taking Egbuka, it suggests that he was rated more highly than others available to them in that moment. Will he prove to them that was the correct decision from Day 1?"
Now that minicamp is over for the Bucs, I think it's safe to say be proved a lot.
Star wideout and future Hall of Famer Mike Evans was impressed with Egbuka at mandatory minicamp.
"I didn't [expect to draft a receiver] either, but you know Jason has always been great in drafts, and we wanted to pick the best players available, and from what I've seen so far, he was definitely the best player available," Evans said on Thursday. "So, looking forward to a great year for him, Emeka."