The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted Emeka Egbuka in the first round of last year’s NFL Draft.
Heading into his second season, the team is expecting some big things from their young wide receiver. With Mike Evans departing in free agency, they’ll need Egbuka to step into a big role for the offense and be a reliable target for Baker Mayfield.
There’s another rising star wide receiver that plays for an NFC South rival that was also drafted in the first round last year and will provide Egbuka some competition and motivation from afar as he looks to elevate his game in 2026.
Emeka Egbuka and Tetairoa McMillan have developed some friendly completion
Egbuka was the second wide receiver drafted last year, with Tetairoa McMillan being drafted to the Carolina Panthers ahead of him.
Egbuka appeared on Up & Adams hosted by Kay Adams and revealed he and McMillan have actually become close as a product of being in the same draft class.
Bucs WR Emeka Egbuka LOVES his rivalry with Tetairoa McMillan 💪
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) May 6, 2026
"When it comes to competition, I know we're in the back of each other's minds... It's just extra motivation"@officialnalo | @heykayadams pic.twitter.com/HogYjwbGHG
They trained together during the pre-draft process, and even went head-to-head for Rookie of the Year honors. Both were finalists for the award, with McMillan ultimately bringing home the hardware.
That friendly competition will continue into year two and through the remainder of their careers.
"When it comes to competition, I know we're in the back of each other's minds,” said Egbuka. I feel blessed to have that type of competitive atmosphere and that type of rivalry. I think it’s just extra motivation and an extra driving factor."
The Panthers seem poised to be a real thorn in the Bucs’ sides for years to come. Carolina won the NFC South last year, snapping Tampa Bay’s streak of four consecutive division titles.
The Panthers had arguably the best offseason in the NFL, thanks to aggressive free agency moves like signing Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd, and a slam-dunk draft class.
The Bucs will need all hands on deck to take back the NFC South, and Egbuka will be a key factor in the team’s success as he takes on a significant role in the offense.
His rivalry with McMillan adds a fun layer to the division rivalry as the two young wide receivers blossom into stars at the NFL level.
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