Entering this season, fans were skeptical of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 2025 draft class. Jason Licht has proven in the past he's a master drafter, but there were some pretty interesting swings that had us all wondering how things would play out.
Through eight games this season, Tampa's rookie class has stepped up and led the team to a strong 6-2 start.
Emeka Egbuka is the clear standout pick. The 19th overall pick out of Ohio State wasn't an immediate necessity, but turned into one pretty quickly. Entering the year, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Jalen McMillan were all healthy and coming off fantastic seasons. Unfortunately, all three are now injured, but Egbuka has captivated the league in their absence.
While Egbuka is the leader in the clubhouse for not only the best pick the Bucs made but the best pick of the entire draft, he's not the only rookie standing out for Tampa Bay -- which is amazing.
Here's how the Bucs' 2025 draft class has aided a dominant first half of the season
Egbuka has totaled 34 receptions, 562 yards, and five touchdowns. The rookie has led the broken receiver room in every category, all when they needed him most. His connection with Quarterback Baker Mayfield is undeniable, and he's turned into a star receiver immediately.
Even if Godwin, McMillan, and Evans returned at some point this season, Egbuka has carved out a sizeable role in the offense. If a few of these receivers return from injury, this Tampa Bay offense will only grow scarier.
Another standout pick is seventh-round selection Tez Johnson. The 235th overall pick has also stepped up amongst an injured receiver room and solidified himself as a strong option. Through the last four games, Johnson has 14 receptions, 205 yards, and two touchdowns. Opposing defenses know Egbuka is difficult to guard, but Johnson has emerged as a strong WR 2 behind him.
Second-round selection, cornerback Benjamin Morrison, hasplayed fantastically despite dealing with injuries. Through five games, Morrison has allowed only 46% of completions his way, and is only improving. Though a small sample size, the Notre Dame product is off to a strong start in the secondary, and has added great depth to a mediocre secondary room.
Third-round pick Jacob Parris has struggled at times, but provides solid upside. The cornerback out of Kansas St. has allowed completions on 70% of targets, but tallied two sacks, three QB hits, and five tackles for loss. The 21-year-old certainly has some work to do, but early-season success shows he has a high ceiling.
The Bucs draft class is far from proven, but the first eight games have shown promise. Despite drafting two main positions, cornerback and wide receiver, these rookies have given fans a reason to trust General Manager Jason Licht and staff.