Making the Case

Jul 10, 2025

Making The Case For Emeka Egbuka

✅ 5-Star Recruit
✅ Early-Breakout
✅ Position-Versatility
✅ YAC-Ability
✅ Contested-Catch Ability
✅ Route-Running Prowess
✅ Athletic Ability
✅ RD1 NFL Draft Pick
✅ High-Scoring Offense
✅ Situation-Deflated Price Tag
✅ 2nd-Half Upside

Emeka Egbuka isn’t just a great long-term dynasty stash – he’s one of my favorite redraft targets in 2025.

Let me tell you why.

For starters – Emeka Egbuka was a HIGHLY-recruited player.

Egbuka was a 5-Star Recruit (99 Prospect Grade).

He was the top-ranked WR in his class.

Although Egbuka wasn’t really involved as a true freshman, you can’t really fault him considering the Ohio State depth chart consisted of Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr., & Egbuka.

Egbuka was efficient on limited opportunities as a freshman (9/191 on 58 routes; 3.29 YPRR; 74.5 PFF Receiving Grade).

Egbuka then went bar-for-bar with Marvin Harrison Jr. as a sophomore (1,238 yards & 12 TD’s vs 1,295 yards & 14 TD’s), averaging 3.01 YPRR & posting an 84.0 PFF Receiving Grade.

Egbuka dealt with injury as a junior (41/515/4 in 10 games; 2.01 YPRR; 75.2 PFF Receiving Grade), but returned to form as a senior (81/1011/10; 2.51 YPRR; 82.4 PFF Receiving Grade).

He finished as Ohio State’s all-time leader in receptions (205).

Egbuka had a higher career YPRR (2.61) & best-season YPRR (3.01) than both Travis Hunter & Tetairoa McMillan.

Egbuka is prototypical size (6’1”/205). & he has a position-versatile skillset (Egbuka played 30% of his snaps out-wide during his 1,200-yard sophomore season).

Egbuka is very capable after-the-catch (career 6.6 YAC/reception). & he was also good in contested-situations (54.3% career contested-catch success-rate; above 50% in 3/4 seasons).

There isn’t anything he “can’t” do.

Egbuka is also a savvy route-runner. Egbuka was charted as 42nd, 82nd, & 92nd percentile vs Man, Zone, & Press (via Reception Perception).

“His 83.6% success rate vs Zone is an excellent mark. Egbuka actually narrowly bested all prospects from the storied 2024 WR class and is within shouting distance of several other players over the years who earned Tier 1 designations in my stacked rankings.” – via Matt Harmon.

Egbuka is also an above-average athlete.

He has good speed (4.46 Pro Day 40) & great short-area quickness (4.12 Pro Day shuttle).

Egbuka is also a RD1 NFL Draft Pick (19th overall).

The only other 5-Star Recruits to get drafted RD1 in the past decade:

  • Laquon Treadwell
  • Calvin Ridley
  • Devonta Smith
  • Henry Ruggs
  • Ja’Marr Chase
  • Garrett Wilson
  • Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Minus Henry Ruggs (who went to prison) – you’re looking at 1 single bust (Treadwell) + 5 All-Pros.

On top of the RD1 DC – Egbuka was drafted to a team that finished 3rd in passing yards (4,505) & 2nd in passing TD’s (41) last year.

& as far as the established target-earners on the team?

Mike Evans is about to turn 32 years old & Chris Godwin is coming off a broken ankle.

This gives Egbuka MASSIVE upside – particularly over the 2nd-half of the season, where he could potentially emerge as the #1 target in TB.

& just look at some 2nd-half performances (WK9-17) from rookie WR’s in recent seasons.

  • Brian Thomas Jr. (WR11, 17.9 PPG)
  • Malik Nabers (WR12, 17.8 PPG)
  • Ladd McConkey (WR15, 16.6 PPG)
  • Xavier Worthy (WR34, 12.2 PPG)

  • Tank Dell (WR6, 18.9 PPG)
  • Puka Nacua (WR13, 16.4 PPG)
  • Jayden Reed (WR13, 16.4 PPG)
  • Rashee Rice (WR17, 16.1 PPG)
  • Zay Flowers (WR24, 13.6 PPG)

  • Christian Watson (WR12, 15.7 PPG)
  • Garrett Wilson (WR26, 13.6 PPG)

  • Elijah Moore (WR5, 20.1 PPG)
  • Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR7, 18.4 PPG)
  • Jaylen Waddle (WR8, 18.1 PPG)
  • Ja’Marr Chase (WR10, 17.6 PPG)
  • Devonta Smith (WR28, 12.2 PPG)

  • Justin Jefferson (WR6, 18.5 PPG)
  • Brandon Aiyuk (WR9, 17.7 PPG)
  • CeeDee Lamb (WR32, 13.8 PPG)

Rookie WR’s can make a MASSIVE impact over the 2nd-half of the season.

Hell even Jalen McMillan (who’s role Egbuka now occupies) averaged 14.5 PPG (WR24) from WK9-17 as a rookie last season.

Egbuka is being drafted as the WR48 (!!) this season.

That means you don’t even have to draft Egbuka as anything more than your WR4/WR5.

He may only be a bench-stash to start the year – but last time I checked they don’t pay out for winning your WK6 Championship!

Egbuka has the type of upside we covet over the second-half of the season & during the playoff weeks.

Add it all up & Egbuka is one of my PRIORITY targets in 2025.