When rookie wide receivers are drafted to the NFL, there are often obstacles between them and a starting position. It could be a size consideration, or maybe a coach deciding they just need some more time to mature.

For Emeka Egbuka, the Buccaneers’ first-round draft pick from the 2025 Draft, it looked like the existing talent was going to be the biggest speed bump between him and reps in the regular season. Even the fact that the Bucs selected him was a surprise; they have a shoo-in Hall of Famer, a top-10 slot receiver and a young technician who had a breakout 2024 rookie campaign already on their WR payroll. But the pick showed their faith in his talent — and now, because of some unfortunate circumstances, he is going to get to prove them right.

During Tampa Bay’s preseason tilt with the Steelers last weekend, the aforementioned young technician — Jalen McMillan — had his legs swept from under him by Daryl Porter Jr. while leaping to make a grab. He landed with his full weight on his neck, suffering what head coach Todd Bowles reported to be a “severely” sprained neck. Early reports and speculation said he could be out until about halfway through the season.

The Bucs, who have one of the top receiving corps in the league on paper, were forced to sideline him next to Chris Godwin, who is steadily healing from the dislocated ankle he suffered in the middle of the 2024 season. With the regular season coming down the pipe, that nucleus of top-tier wideout talent is now stripped down to Mike Evans — and Egbuka.

Welcome to the show, kid. Your team needs you.

If early reports from OTAs, fall camp and joint practices are any accurate indication, that “kid” is going to be a problem. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has showered him with praise on multiple occasions, calling him an “absolute stud” and “the real deal.” Evans, who has been a part of the team’s corps since 2014, said this is the best the group has ever been.

Watching Egbuka’s film and camp tape, the Bucs got a steal, even if receiver wasn’t the biggest hole they needed to fill. He’s an all-facet tool — great hands, strong at the catchpoint with a full route tree. With the Bucs’ two established slot options on the bench, Egbuka is going to be given the reins in the slot, and even NFL nickels and linebackers are going to have a really tough time dealing with him. If joint practices count, they already have.

Every dialed-in fan is curious what this Buccaneers offense is going to look like. The group lost its coordinator but kept all the pieces on the field, and then added Egbuka with first-round capital. The most likely scenario is that the new offensive coordinator, Josh Grizzard, who was an understudy of the departed Liam Coen, will run a modified version of his system. That means allowing Mayfield to take the top off the defense and using the backs to open the passing options.

If you remember the first six weeks of last season, Godwin ate defenses alive from the slot in Coen’s offense. If Grizzard is doing similar things, Egbuka has all the skills to be next up at the feast.

Egbuka’s college career was a picture of consistency — two 1,000+ yard seasons with double-digit touchdowns, even operating in an offense where there was no shortage of mouths to feed. He has been producing at a high level since he was in high school (a five-star prospect).

Mayfield loves him, Bowles harps on his work ethic and he is in a favorable offense. Expect his consistency to continue and his talent to win him reps moving forward. McMillan might have some tough competition for the WR3 job when his neck heals.