Mandatory minicamp concluded for the Buccaneers following the third practice at the AdventHealth Training Center. In the condensed, hour-long wrap-up session on the grass, competition revved up as the offense and defense exchanged friendly banter on the sideline. For this 2025 squad, the hunger and urgency have been evident as the club strives for its fifth straight NFC South crown and more. Following the team period, several noteworthy topics were discussed behind the podium, including standout performers and the Bucs' revitalized offense under the direction of Josh Grizzard.
Emeka Egbuka's Presence
The Buccaneers added to their receiver room in the draft with first-round pick Emeka Egbuka and seventh-rounder, Tez Johnson. Egbuka can line up along the formation in every receiver spot and primarily lined up in the slot at Ohio State. He concluded his career with the most receptions (2015) in Ohio State history and finished second in receiving yards (30 behind Michael Jenkins). Egbuka can generate separation at the stem with nuanced route running and plays with a cerebral approach to the game. He has impressed throughout rookie minicamp and OTAs with his absorption of the playbook and precision on routes. On Thursday, future Hall of Famer Mike Evans gave the rookie high praise.
"He looks like a running back but he catches like Chris Godwin," said Evans. "He is a very polished, very well-rounded player."
Screen Game Strides
The Buccaneers' offense became an NFL onslaught in 2024, reaching several statistical milestones, notably on the ground. Bucky Irving led all rookies in scrimmage yards (1,514), rushing yards (1,122) and rushing touchdowns (eight) last season. He had eight games with at least one rushing touchdown, the most such games by a rookie in franchise history. In addition, Irving finished first in the NFL in forced missed tackle percentage (37.1%) and led all rookies with 76 forced missed tackles. His fabled ability to juke defenders with shiftiness and sensational cutting prowess ignited the offense. Counter traps became Irving's bread and butter, with his patience staying in-phase with pullers and accelerating off the blocker. He created off screens. Showcasing his ability to accelerate and get vertical. Last season, Pass Game Coordinator Josh Grizzard played a vital role in Irving's development at exploiting defenses in space.
"We all know that Grizz has stepped up to offensive coordinator but the crazy thing about it is last year, I was pretty close with Grizz," noted Irving. "I wanted him to coach me up on different things like screens and he always had an answer for me, 'We need you to do this. We need you to do that.' He is a smart guy so knowing that he is coming in and to just be able to follow his lead and knowing that he will put us in the right position, [makes us] want to go out and execute at a high level for him."
Inside Linebacker Room Sets Standard
Todd Bowles referred to the inside linebacker room as the "deepest" on the defensive side of the ball with Lavonte David, Anthony Walker Jr., SirVocea Dennis, Deion Jones, along with Antonio Grier Jr. and Nick Jackson. The unit has embraced the high expectations for 2025 and the room's responsibility to set the tone in Bowles' defense.
"The linebackers on every team is the quarterback of the defense, so that is our standard every day and we've got to be that group, and we have to lead this team," said Walker. "Obviously, we've got guys everywhere on this team that make plays and we have to be the best group on the field for us to get to where we want to be."
Walker Jr. has begun competing with David and Dennis as iron sharpens iron under the Florida sun. Walker, a longtime friend of David's going back to their Miami roots, has started 83 of his 99 career games, splitting time between the Indianapolis Colts (2017-20), Cleveland Browns (2021-23) and Miami Dolphins (2024) during his NFL tenure. He has recorded 571 career tackles (26 for loss), 21 passes defensed, nine quarterback hits, 5.5 sacks, four interceptions, four fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. Walker plays with outstanding awareness in coverage and is effective at covering running backs/tight ends and at blowing up screens. Like Walker's ability to lock down the middle of the field, Dennis made an impact last year on third-down packages with superb route recognition. On Thursday, Walker showered esteem on his young teammate, Dennis.
"He will be a great player in this league for a very long time," said Walker. "We have been talking about it since I met him. The first day of OTAs, he made one of the best plays I have ever seen a linebacker make – including Lavonte David – he is special. He is very cerebral, he knows the game well and can really do everything on the field as a pass dropper, blitzer and as a run defender so, I am excited to see him."
