For the first time in the post-Tom Brady era, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are seemingly the focal point of the football world. Even with a plethora of injuries hampering the roster, the team's sizzling 4-1 start, coupled with electrifying comeback wins, has turned the reigning NFC South champions into appointment viewing.
Baker Mayfield has gotten plenty of flowers for the squad's early success, but so has rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka. The 22-year-old, whose name has given national pundits fits to pronounce, is fourth in the league in receiving yards and has all the hallmarks of a franchise cornerstone.
Egbuka's talent in Columbus was often overshadowed by stars like Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison, and Jeremiah Smith, but it was always clear he'd be a problem for defenders at the next level. On a recent episode of "The Arena: Gridiron," ex-Buccaneers corner Aquib Talib was the latest to heap praise onto the Ohio State product, even offering an eye-popping comparison.
Aquib Talib pays Emeka Egbuka the ultimate compliment
"Egbuka is Ja'Marr Chase-like," Talib said. "He is the Rookie of the Year and a legit number one. He's an all-around receiver. He might not be the fastest, but he has that game speed. He special—he's going to score double-digit touchdowns this year."
It's rare to hear such conviction in a take about a player who isn't even two months into his career. Talib's commentary was a bit reactionary, but that just highlights the respect Egbuka has already garnered throughout his brief tenure as a pro.
Chase is far more of a physical specimen—a perfect blend of physical traits and prowess for the position that has jumped off the screen from the second he broke onto the scene with LSU. Egbuka just isn't that same level of athlete, which makes their operations naturally different.
Egbuka has always given off more similarities to a different triple crown winner, Cooper Kupp. Both are technicians in and out of their breaks and exploit every blade of grass. Egbuka might not be as crisp with his routes, but he is a superior vertical threat, which bodes flawlessly for his gun-slinger quarterback.
It'll be fascinating to see Egbuka's production when Mike Evans and Chris Godwin return to the lineup, but that should only make his life easier. By all accounts, Jason Licht did it again, and that should terrify the rest of the NFL. Move over, Pittsburgh, Tampa is officially the new WR factory.