In an impressive showing, rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka emerged as a key player for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during their 23-20 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Egbuka, entering his first professional regular-season game, caught four passes for a total of 67 yards and scored two touchdowns, making him the primary target for quarterback Baker Mayfield.

Late in the fourth quarter, as the game was hanging in the balance, Mayfield threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Egbuka, sealing the win for his team. Postgame, Mayfield expressed his admiration for Egbuka, stating,

“He’s so good. He really is. All the natural things that you try and get receivers to do, it just comes easy to him. You combine that with how intelligent he is, his football IQ, it’s a dangerous combo that he’s got working for him. The lights will never be too bright for him.”

Egbuka’s transition into the NFL seems seamless, and he is being counted on more as veteran receiver Chris Godwin is currently sidelined due to an ankle injury. The Buccaneers notably selected Egbuka with the 19th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after his standout collegiate career at Ohio State, where he totaled 2,868 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns over four years.