Emeka Egbuka's Fantasy Outlook After Bucs Rookie Makes NFL Preseason Debut vs. Titans

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka might be getting more targets next season than is being indicated by his position on the team's depth chart.

Egbuka gave a first glimpse at his fantasy value by making the first catch of his NFL career during Saturday's preseason opener against the visiting Tennessee Titans.

The rookie wideout's first catch came on a 21-yard pass from Kyle Trask during the Bucs' opening drive.

Trask targeted Egbuka again on a third down, but the pass was incomplete and the Bucs were forced to settle for a field goal.

Egbuka was back out on the field for the punt return after the Titans' first drive stalled out at Tennessee's 34-yard line.

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles' heavy usage of Egbuka on the first two drives of Saturday's preseason opener could be seen as an indication that the team is considering giving him significant playing time this season.

The Buccaneers listed Egbuka behind Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan on their first unofficial depth chart of the preseason.

Godwin, however, is still on the physically unable to perform list. ESPN's Jenna Laine reported in July that the veteran wide receiver, who underwent ankle surgery during the 2024 season, had undergone another procedure on the ankle this spring.

Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said on Tuesday that Godwin has "still got a ways to go," calling into question whether the wide receiver will be available for Week 1 of the 2025 season.

Enter Egbuka, who became the first Buccaneers wide receiver since Evans in 2014 to be drafted in the first round when the franchise called his name at No. 19 last spring.

ESPN's Dan Graziano reported on Monday that he would "expect Egbuka to be a big part of things for whatever time Godwin is out, and maybe even once he's back."

"This is a team that wants to put three wide receivers on the field as much as possible," Graziano noted.

Fantasy managers should keep an eye on both Godwin's injury status and Egbuka's preseason and training camp usage this month. Both could be indications as to whether the rookie could be getting significant targets as part of a trio with Evans and McMillan this fall.