When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected receiver Emeka Egbuka in the first round of the draft, many questioned the decision, given the abundance of weapons already on offense.
No one is questioning that decision now.
Through eight games, Egbuka has already posted 562 yards and five touchdowns from 34 receptions to easily lead the Buccaneers in all three categories. Granted, injuries to Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Jalen McMillan have meant Egbuka has gotten more snaps, but he's made the most of them.
As such, for CBS Sports' Bryan DeArdo in revealing his choices for the major NFL awards at mid-season, he's given the Offensive Rookie of the Year award to Egbuka.
"With Chris Godwin and Mike Evans injured, Egbuka has stepped up for a Buccaneers team that has overcome myriad injuries during the season's first half," DeArdo writes. "Egbuka appears destined to continue the lineage of successful receivers that have come out of Ohio State."
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Egbuka the ace in Josh Grizzard's deck
Already with two 100-yard games under his belt, Egbuka has become Baker Mayfield's go-to target given the host of injuries to the skill position group.
And the rookie has answered the call.
But now, with Evans out for most of the year with a broken collarbone, and we aren't sure when Godwin or McMillan will be returning, which means Egbuka will have to fly the flag for the offense with the help of Mayfield.
He's done so superbly well so far, but as we know, the rookie wall is real, so the Buccaneers will want to guard against that in the coming weeks.
But make no mistake about it, of all the weapons at Mayfield's disposal, Egbuka might be the best one, and for a rookie, that is some statement.
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