With the 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Game in the rearview mirror and the opening weekend of preseason games set to get underway, we've seen a bit more action in training camp videos that have surfaced on social media. However, one of the most impressive displays of pure skill may have come from Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka during a drill.
In a clip posted by Fox Sports reporter Ralph Vacchiano, Baker Mayfield threw a high ball to Egbuka during a drill, and the second-year standout made easy work of what was ultimately a ridiculous one-handed grab.
Egbuka's ability to make the one-handed grab look as effortless as he did is nothing short of spectacular. It probably shouldn't be all that surprising, though, considering the No. 19 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft hit the ground running in his rookie season.
Over 17 games played in year one of his NFL career, Egbuka hauled in 63 passes for 938 yards and six touchdowns while helping keep the Buccaneers' passing game afloat with both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin missing extended time due to injuries.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Bucs WR Emeka Egbuka made a 1-handed OBJ-esque catch look way too easy

#egbuka #emeka #game #drill

The NFL has seen its fair share of standout offensive and defensive rookie of the year winners over the past few seasons. The voting has been extremely close, with early frontrunners falling behind as the grueling NFL seasons progress.
Last season, for instance, Tampa Bay's Emeka Egbuka looked to be running away with the award but ultimately finished fifth. The AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Award was won by Carolina's Tetairoa McMillan. Heading into the 2026-2027 season, here are four dark horse candidates for offensive and defensive Rookie of the Year Awards.
MORE: Rating every NFL game on the Monday Night Football schedule in 2026
May 1, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Makai Lemon (9) runs drills during rookie minicamp at NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
WR Makai Lemon – Philadelphia Eagles

#philadelphia #year

Mike Evans may no longer be with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but the impact he left on Emeka Egbuka during their lone season together isn't going anywhere.
Egbuka recently reflected on his time playing alongside the longtime Buccaneers receiver and what Evans has meant to the franchise. Underdog NFL shared Egbuka's comments on social media as Tampa Bay prepares for its first season without Evans since drafting him in 2014.
"When you think of Tampa Bay, you think of Mike Evans," Egbuka said. "I'm thankful to have had the year that I had with him."
Tampa Bay selected him in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, giving the rookie an opportunity to spend his first NFL season learning from a receiver who had already established himself as one of the most accomplished players in franchise history.
Now the responsibility inside Tampa Bay's receiver room is shifting. Evans departed for the San Francisco 49ers this offseason, while Egbuka enters his second season after recording 938 receiving yards and six touchdowns as a rookie.

#first #buccaneers #think

Wide receiver is a premium position in the NFL, and it has been reflected in the NFL draft, with 26 of them selected in the first round of the past five draft classes.
The stars of last year's rookie class came from Round 1 – Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan and Emeka Egbuka were ranked first and second in receptions and receiving yards, and the Packers' Matthew Golden had a two-TD game in the playoffs. The Jaguars are still waiting for Travis Hunter to fully emerge, but it appears that they have big plans for him.
But it's also a position that showed its depth last year, and several non-first rounders – Isaac TeSlaa, Luther Burden, Jayden Higgins and more – also shined as rookies and figure to have bigger roles in Year 2.
So with all due respect to the five 2026 first-rounders at the position, including two top-10 picks, there might be more than meets the eye at receiver beyond that.
Thus far in training camp, a number of sub-Round 1 wideouts have stood out early. Are they flashes in the pan? Or promising signs of stronger-than-expected rookie juice? Let's have a look.

#rounders

The contract situation between Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has dominated the early portion of training camp, but the quarterback hasn't allowed it to change what he believes this team can accomplish. After spending time at Buccaneers training camp, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler appears to agree with him.
Mayfield told Fowler that despite his disappointment over failed extension talks, his focus remains on leading the Buccaneers and competing for a championship. "I'm a Buccaneer right now. I'm the quarterback for this team," Mayfield said. "[I'm focused on] how can I lead the best way possible, how I can win as many games as possible and how we can win the Super Bowl."
After getting an up-close look at the roster, Fowler came away believing Mayfield's confidence is justified, writing, "Mayfield is right to think this team is well-positioned." Fowler described Tampa Bay as "loaded at receiver and on the offensive line," with Mayfield himself calling the offensive line a top-three unit when healthy. Emeka Egbuka is entering Year 2, Chris Godwin Jr. reportedly has his explosion back, and the Bucs are expecting big things from Jalen McMillan.
The optimism isn't limited to the offense. Fowler pointed toward Alex Anzalone's addition at linebacker and an improved front seven, while first-round pick Rueben Bain Jr. has apparently been everything the organization hoped for as a three-down edge defender.
There are still major questions surrounding the team, particularly Vita Vea's situation and Mayfield's future beyond 2026. Those issues haven't changed what Mayfield sees in the roster around him, though, and after getting his own look at the Bucs during camp, Fowler seems to agree that this is a team built to compete.

#team

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have enteried unfamiliar territory without Mike Evans in training camp in 2026, and wide receiver Emeka Egbuka admitted "it is a little weird" not having the former Buc around.
Asked about Evans' absence by CBS Sports, Egbuka described the franchise legend as being "Tampa through and through," noting that Evans has become virtually synonymous with the Buccaneers. Evans spent 12 seasons in Tampa Bay before beginning a new chapter with the San Francisco 49ers this offseason.
For Egbuka, however, Evans' impact extends far beyond his production on the field. The second-year receiver expressed gratitude for the opportunity to spend his rookie season learning directly from one of the most accomplished players in franchise history.
"I am just really grateful that I got to spend a year with him," Egbuka said, adding that he expects Evans to accomplish great things in San Francisco.
Now, both sides have moved forward. Evans has begun his next chapter with the 49ers, while Egbuka and Tampa Bay's reshaped receiving corps prepare to establish a new identity without the franchise's longtime cornerstone.

#buccaneers #chapter

Since camp opened, Johnson has consistently been one of the offense's biggest playmakers, making jaw-dropping catches seemingly every practice. Hauling in contested receptions, creating separation with his quickness, or extending to snag passes outside his frame, Johnson has quickly become one of the most talked-about players on the practice field.
Johnson's route running has been particularly impressive. Despite not possessing the size of some of Tampa Bay's other receivers, he has consistently created separation with crisp breaks and elite change of direction ability. His chemistry with quarterback Baker Mayfield also appears to be growing by the day, as Baker has shown increasing confidence in looking Johnson's way during both team drills and red zone work.
Following the departures not only of Mike Evans and Sterling Shepard, who Johnson mostly shared snaps with over the offseason, but opportunities are also available in the Buccaneers' receiver room behind Chris Godwin Jr, Emeka Egbuka, and Jalen McMillan. Johnson entered camp battling to carve out a meaningful offensive role, and through the first several practices, he has done everything possible to strengthen his case.
It's still early, and training camp success doesn't always guarantee regular-season production. However, Johnson is giving the Buccaneers every reason to believe he can become more than just a developmental receiver and the "lone man out" at WR4.
If he continues making highlight reel grabs at the pace he's established over the opening week of camp, it will become increasingly difficult for the coaching staff to keep him off the field once the regular season begins, and the gadget receiver could carve out a major role in his sophomore season.

#receiver #baker

Ohio State is known for its long list of standout wide receivers, and this year's roster will have no shortage of talent. But there's a name that may not be at the top of the list of potential x-factors that could raise the Buckeyes' ceiling even more. According to ESPN, Ohio State freshman wide receiver Chris Henry is labeled as the key x-factor for the Buckeyes' success in 2026.
"Can Henry make an impact as a true freshman, alongside All-American Jeremiah Smith and veteran Brandon Inniss? At 6-foot-5, Henry has the tools to become a dangerous downfield and red zone weapon for quarterback Julian Sayin," ESPN's Jake Trotter wrote. "Defenses will be loading up to slow Smith, which figures to give Henry plenty of favorable opportunities to show he can be Ohio State's next great wide receiver."
Henry was a consensus five-star prospect in the 2026 class and enters his true freshman season as a pivotal part of the offense for Ohio State. While Smith and Innis will be one of the top 1-2 combos at wideout across the entire country, adding the skill and size that Henry brings to the field would be another addition to an already explosive offense.
Ohio State has always had two stars on the outside, but what has made its offense so dependable and effective year after year is the ability to have 3-4 wideouts consistently on the field and producing. Whether it was Smith, Emeka Egbuka, Innis and Carnell Tate or the years of Marvin Harrison Jr, Julian Fleming, Egbuka or the dating back to the early 2020's of Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and Jaxon Smith-Njigba -- the talent level at wideout has made it nearly impossible for opposing defenses to slow down Ohio State's offense.
With the 2026 season right around the corner, though there's still a competition and other veterans in the room, Henry appears to be the guy that Ohio State is looking at to step up and be impactful from day one.

#freshman

The Bucs' offense was among the best in the NFL in the first half of the season in 2025. They had a breakout rookie in Emeka Egbuka, a strong offensive line, an efficient run game, and an MVP candidate at quarterback. That all came crashing down rather quickly, as the end result was that they ended up losing the division and missing the playoffs.
Now, in 2026, the Bucs' offense is healed up and ready for a bounce back.
A lot is going to be riding on the play of this offensive line again, as well as the skill players stepping up. This side of the ball should not be a problem for the Bucs, but that doesn't mean we will be looking at some more than others. Here are three players we will be looking at closely as time rolls around for camp to be in full swing.
The Bucs almost didn't get to see Jalen McMillan in 2025 after he fractured three vertebrae and suffered herniated discs after a tough hit in the preseason. He would return in December and play in just four games before the team missed the playoffs, which delayed his effectiveness. Now, with a full offseason to heal and the departure of Mike Evans in free agency, he is poised for a major role increase. McMillan realistically could be the team's WR2 by season's end, working on the outside.
He showed as a rookie that he has a strong connection with Baker Mayfield from both a work and trust standpoint. Seeing how that connection works early on in camp will be telling for how much of an impact he can make in 2026.

#bucs #line

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers knew this offseason would mark the end of an era. Franchise icons Mike Evans and Lavonte David both moved on, leaving behind massive holes in the locker room and on the field after serving as the faces of the organization for more than a decade. While many expected the departures to send Tampa Bay tumbling down the NFC South standings, one national outlet believes the Buccaneers are far from the division's weakest team.
Bleacher Report recently predicted the last-place finisher in every NFL division entering the 2026 season, and the Buccaneers weren't the team selected in the NFC South. Instead, the Atlanta Falcons were projected to finish at the bottom of the division, signaling confidence that Tampa Bay has enough talent to remain competitive despite losing two franchise legends.
General manager Jason Licht has spent the past several seasons building a roster capable of sustaining success instead of entering a lengthy rebuild whenever veteran stars depart. That approach will be tested this season, but the foundation remains in place. Baker Mayfield is coming off another productive yet turbulent-at-times season and still has one of the league's better offensive lines protecting him, led by All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs. On the outside, second-year receiver Emeka Egbuka is expected to take on a much larger role following Mike Evans' departure, while Chris Godwin Jr provides a proven veteran presence in the receiving corps.
Defensively, Todd Bowles still has plenty of talent to work with. Vita Vea remains one of the NFL's premier defensive tackles, Antoine Winfield Jr. continues to anchor the secondary, and the additions of Alex Anzalone and first-round edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. should help soften the loss of Lavonte David while adding more playmaking ability to the front seven. There are certainly questions surrounding the Buccaneers as they enter a new chapter without two of the greatest players in franchise history. Replacing Evans' production and David's leadership won't happen overnight.
However, Tampa Bay's roster still features enough proven veterans and ascending young talent to compete in the NFC South. If Bleacher Report's projection is any indication, the Buccaneers may be transitioning into a new era, but that doesn't mean they're headed for the bottom of the division.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are an offensive unit often considered among the best in the NFL. In 2025, injuries hampered them a bit, and they missed out on winnable games down the stretch and the playoffs. Heading into 2026, most of the offense returns, with some additions and subtractions, and now they are being reviewed by ESPN.
ESPN's Bill Barnwell ranked all the offensive skill player groups in the NFL. For the Bucs, they dipped a bit in the rankings from 7th to 22nd in 2026, and he broke it down by position group in his reasoning. For the wide receiver, it all centered around the uncertainty surrounding so many of the players in the position group.
Barnwell writes, "What can we count on from the Bucs' new 'Big Three' in 2026? Emeka Egbuka was awesome to start the season, averaging 2.3 yards per route run through Week 10. He was down to 1.3 afterward, below guys such as Adonai Mitchell and Xavier Hutchinson. Chris Godwin Jr. came back from his gruesome ankle injury, dealt with fibula issues after initially returning and wasn't back for good until Week 12. He had solid games against the Cardinals and Dolphins, but at 30 and with multiple serious injuries in his past, I'm not sure it's realistic to project a peak-caliber season from Godwin, even after Evans' departure."
The departure of Evans is proving to be more of a hit than many folks had expected. Having an aging Chris Godwin doesn't help matters, but folks are also discounting Emeka Egbuka's ability. Things should allow them to outplay that 22nd ranking, especially if the wide receivers overperform.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: What did ESPN think of the Bucs' wide receivers heading into 2026?

The NFL offseason brought plenty of change, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were no exception. Veteran wide receiver Mike Evans departed in free agency to join the San Francisco 49ers. As Evans nears the end of his career, he secured one final major contract before retirement. His departure creates a significant opportunity for other receivers on the roster, including Jalen McMillan.
McMillan impressed during his rookie season, hauling in eight touchdown receptions and quickly establishing himself as a reliable target. Despite the Buccaneers selecting Emeka Egbuka in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, all signs pointed toward McMillan taking another step forward. Unfortunately, a frightening neck injury cut his season short.
MORE: NFL decision on supplemental draft leaves Brendan Sorsby out of options for 2026
The good news is that McMillan is making a full recovery. With Chris Godwin still working his way back from a midseason injury and Egbuka expected to ***** ume the WR1 role, McMillan has a clear path to increased opportunities. He could develop into a dependable WR3 for Baker Mayfield—or even emerge as a legitimate WR2 option.
Dec 28, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (11) runs for a gain past Miami Dolphins cornerback Rasul Douglas (26) during the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

In 2025, Emeka Egbuka became the first wide receiver selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of the NFL Draft since 2014 when the team selected future Hall of Famer Mike Evans.
While the No. 19 overall pick out of Ohio State burst onto the scene in his rookie season and lived up to his high draft capital early on, Egbuka’s end to the season was a lot less spectacular.
Heading into his second season, Egbuka is looking to recreate the success he had in the first 10 games of his career.
During mandatory minicamp on Jun 17, Egbuka talked about his focus for his sophomore season.
“Overall explosiveness and making big plays with the ball in my hands,” Egbuka said when asked about what he is working on during offseason workouts. “Obviously we aren’t tackling in practice, but creating good habits when it comes to catching the ball and running after the catch. Making moves on defenders, having strong hands at the catch point, staying on your feet is a big one, and that’s something that I’m really honing in on.”

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made one thing clear during the 2026 NFL Draft: they wanted to add a different dimension to their receiving corps. That's exactly what they got in third-round pick Ted Hurst.
As the mandatory minicamp is underway, a few players on the roster are more intriguing than the former standout receiver. With Mike Evans now in San Francisco and Emeka Egbuka expected to slide into a larger role, Hurst has a legitimate opportunity to carve out playing time much sooner than many rookie receivers typically do.
At 6'4" and possessing legitimate downfield speed, Hurst gives the Buccaneers something they simply don't have elsewhere in their receiver room. While Chris Godwin Jr, Egbuka, and Jalen McMillan excel with route running, separation, and versatility, Hurst brings the size and catch radius needed to win on the boundary and make contested catches downfield.
In many ways, his skill set fills some of the void left behind by Evans' departure. The Buccaneers have already hinted at how they plan to use him. Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson has mentioned Hurst working primarily as the true "X" receiver, allowing Egbuka to spend more time at the "Z" position, where his route running and versatility can be maximized. That role could put Hurst in a position to contribute immediately if he proves he can handle the responsibilities that come with playing on the outside. Minicamp will offer the first extended glimpse of how quickly that transition is coming along.
One of the biggest challenges for rookie receivers is earning the trust of their quarterback. Baker Mayfield has never been shy about throwing contested passes to receivers he believes will make a play on the football. Hurst's combination of size, length and ball skills could quickly make him an attractive target in those situation and the opportunity is certainly there.

In their first World Cup match for 28 years, the Norwegian national team faced underdogs Iraq. Julian Ryerson started on the right-hand side of defence, as usual. There were slight doubts about the Scandinavians’ chances of winning the match when the Iraqis managed to equalise in the 39th minute following Erling Haaland’s opener (29). Another goal from Haaland (43), along with goals from Leo Østigard (76) and an own goal in stoppage time, sealed Norway’s comfortable 4-1 victory.
Jordan caused the Austrian team more of a headache. With Marcel Sabitzer in the starting line-up for the Red-White-Reds, the match developed into an evenly matched contest. Austria took the lead through Romano Schmid (20), but Jordan equalised early in the second half (50). The turning point came with the introduction of BVB forward Carney Chukwuemeka in the 60th minute. The Austrians subsequently dominated the match and ultimately won 3-1 in the closing stages following a Jordanian own goal (78) and a penalty from Arnautovic in stoppage time.
Global superstar Lionel Messi put on a masterclass, so Dortmund defender Ramy Bensebaini was left empty-handed at the end of the first matchday for Algeria. In the clash in Kansas City between Algeria and Argentina, the best player of the last World Cup scored all three goals for the Albiceleste. Bensebaini, who had recovered in time for the clash with the reigning world champions after a lengthy injury lay-off, played the full 90 minutes in Algeria’s central defence.

Borussia Dortmund are potentially in the market for an attacking midfielder this summer, and AS Roma’s Matias Soulé features on the Bundesliga side’s shortlist, Sky Germany understands.
Initial talks have already taken place between Dortmund and the Argentine’s representatives regarding Soulé, who scored six goals and provided five ***** ists in 33 Serie A games as Roma secured a return to UEFA Champions League football for the upcoming season.
The 23-year-old reportedly has a release clause between €25m and €30m, although the Ruhr club face competition from Premier League clubs.
With Julian Brandt departing Dortmund upon the expiry of his contract after seven seasons, Carney Chukwuemeka slowly working his way into Niko Kovač’s plans and Samuele Inácio still developing, Dortmund’s interest in Soulé isn’t too far fetched. Additionally, reports originating from Italy suggest that Roma are open to selling Soulé as they look to raise funds before 30 June.
GGFN | Daniel Pinder

No fewer than four Borussia players are in the German national team line-up: Waldemar Anton, Maximilian Beier, Nico Schlotterbeck and Felix Nmecha will be competing in Group E. Ramy Bensebaini represents Algeria in Group J, while Carney Chukwuemeka and Marcel Sabitzer are also competing for Austria in Group J. This will see the first-ever Borussia derby in the tournament. Gregor Kobel is between the posts for Switzerland (Group B), Julian Ryerson leads Norway onto the pitch in Group I, and Daniel Svensson kicks off the tournament with Sweden in Group F.
Qatar – Switzerland (21:00 CEST in San Francisco)
Sunday, 14.06.2026
Germany – Curaçao (19:00 CEST in Houston)
Monday, 15.06.2026

For much of his rookie season, Emeka Egbuka looked exactly like the polished, NFL-ready receiver the Tampa Bay Buccaneers believed they were getting when they drafted him. His route running, reliability underneath, and versatility quickly made him an important piece of Tampa Bay’s passing attack.
So when his production slowed during the second half of the year, some fans naturally began wondering whether Egbuka hit the rookie wall. But there are several legitimate reasons why the statistical dip should not be viewed as a major concern.
For starters, Egbuka battled through hamstring and groin injuries late in the season, two issues that can significantly impact a receiver’s explosiveness, burst out of breaks, and overall movement. Lower body injuries often linger for skill position players, particularly receivers whose games rely heavily on sharp cuts and acceleration.
Context around the Buccaneers’ offense also matters. Tampa Bay’s offensive line situation became increasingly unstable due to injuries. At various points, the Buccaneers were forced to operate with multiple starters sidelined while shuffling linemen across different positions just to keep continuity up front. That instability naturally affected timing and protection, often preventing intermediate- and longer-developing plays from coming together. The constant reshuffling up front also impacted quarterback timing and overall offensive consistency, making it difficult for the passing attack to maintain the same rhythm it had earlier in the year.
Even with the statistical slowdown, Egbuka’s underlying traits never disappeared. His route running remained pro-ready.