Buccaneers Draft Emeka Egbuka, Receives Praise from Super Bowl Champ

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers surprised many by selecting wide receiver Emeka Egbuka from Ohio State with the 19th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, despite having more apparent needs on defense. Former Super Bowl MVP Dexter Jackson praised the move, noting Egbuka's talent and the opportunity to learn from veterans Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, predicting a high ceiling for the rookie. The Buccaneers also addressed their cornerback concerns by picking Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish on Day 2, with Parrish in particular viewed as a sleeper pick with significant upside thanks to his athleticism and versatility. Parrish’s strong college production and impressive combine performance have drawn positive reviews from analysts. The Bucs opted not to draft a safety, reflecting confidence in Antoine Winfield Jr., whom Jackson and others regard as one of the NFL’s best safeties when healthy. This draft strategy suggests Tampa Bay is balancing immediate improvements to their defense while preparing their offense for the future.