At the midway point of the 2025 NFL slate, evaluations monopolize the internet in an annual report card for each NFL club. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers own the top spot in the NFC South standings at 6-2, ahead of the next-placed 4-4 Carolina Panthers. Several members of the Bucs' rookie fraternity have made significant contributions on the field with an injury-ravaged roster in Tampa Bay, including receivers Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson, along with cornerbacks Banjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish. Edge rusher David Walker was placed on injured reserve in July after suffering a torn ACL in practice that required ensuing reparative surgery, prematurely ending his rookie debut in a comparative redshirt campaign. Defensive lineman Elijah Roberts has been utilized in a rotational role in sub-packages to bolster the Bucs' pass rush and has recently moved into the starting lineup.
Egbuka, the Bucs' first-overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, has become the offensive catalyst with injuries to Mike Evans, Chris Godwin Jr. and Jalen McMillan. The Ohio State product and September Offensive Rookie of the Month became the only player in NFL history with 25-plus receptions, 400-plus receiving yards and five-plus receiving touchdowns through his first five career games. He leads the Bucs in receiving with 562 yards on 34 receptions and has taken the NFL by storm with his fluidity on routes. Egbuka wins with nuances and subtle maneuvers to separate from coverage at the stem and commands the catch point. He tracks the ball effectively from anywhere on the field and has been used interchangeably at all three receiver spots. Egbuka looks more like a savvy veteran than a rookie and matches the timing of his routes to Baker Mayfield's dropback and progression. With his ability to stretch defenses vertically, Egbuka gains an advantage to sell the go or post, which creates opportunities underneath.
Johnson, the Bucs' seventh-round selection out of Oregon, has added another dimension to the Bucs' offense with his YAC ability. He finished top-five in Oregon annals in career catches (169), despite only playing two seasons in Eugene and playing for two different quarterbacks. Johnson ranked No. 2 in the FBS with 35 catches behind the line of scrimmage in 2024 and has made a smooth transition to the pros, earning the trust of Mayfield. He has built a rapport with the signal-caller and has adjusted routes to make himself available to the quarterback after reading the depth of defensive backs and their leverage/drops. Johnson has compiled 213 yards on 15 receptions and pairs change-of-direction agility with quick-twitch athleticism. He can manufacture yards in space and wins quickly underneath then accelerates. Johnson thrives when he is put in motion to create free releases and advantageous angles against defenders.
Bucs' second-round selection Benjamin Morrison has rotated in with Zyon McCollum and Jamel Dean to maximize his talents on the field. Morrison has only logged 135 snaps, but he has shown his smooth backpedal and lateral movement skills. He maintains leverage and has displayed effective positioning on receivers, helping to fortify the back end when on the field. Parrish, the Bucs' primary nickel, has racked up 362 snaps this season, swarming the opposition. He has accumulated three pass breakups, 2.0 sacks, five tackles for loss and three quarterback hits in 2025. Parrish has controlled footwork at the top of routes to match receivers and disrupts vertical threats downfield. In press, he is physical with his hands to reroute receivers and quickly closes in off-coverage. Parrish is a stout open-field tackler, utilizing effective pad level to wrap up rushers.
