Rookie Incorporation
Out on the practice fields, both first-round pick Emeka Egbuka and seventh-rounder Tez Johnson have made an impression with their respective play styles. Egbuka, who has primarily lined up in the slot, has taken advantage of the short-to-intermediate area by influencing coverage with tempo at the stem of his routes. The Ohio State product works back to the throw with ease and has been a reliable target for Baker Mayfield. Johnson has displayed his yards-after-catch capability and suddenness in the open field. His acceleration creates push downfield, and the pair have impressed the coaching staff.
"Emeka looked really sharp today running routes and it was not even so much the catches," said Head Coach Todd Bowles. "He was crisp on his route running coming out of breaks and is really starting to settle down and blend in. He is a very smart guy and Tez is as well. They play fast when they know what they are doing and Tez is learning the system very well and I am happy to see him keep progressing."
Bucky Irving's 2025 Mindset
Last season during his inaugural campaign in the NFL, Bucky Irving took the league by storm with his missed tackle theatrics and cutting skills. He helped resurrect a run game that ranked 32nd in the league in 2022 and 2023, into a top-five attack in 2024. Tampa Bay's 5.3 rushing yards per attempt last season set a new franchise record as did its 2,536 total rushing yards. The Bucs rushed for 100-plus yards in 14 of 17 games (82.4%) in 2024 after doing so in just nine of 34 games (26.5%) over the previous two seasons. Bucky Irving's 37.1% missed tackle percentage led the NFL and his 76 missed tackles forced ranked first among rookies. The 2024 PFWA All-Rookie Team Selection led the rookie class in scrimmage yards (1,514), rushing yards (1,122) and rushing touchdowns (eight).
Irving's franchise record 5.4 yards per rush attempt average was the third-highest mark in NFL history among rookies with 200-plus rush attempts in a season, trailing only Adrian Peterson (5.6 in 2007) and Clinton Portis (5.5 in 2002). His 1,514 yards from scrimmage is the second-most by a rookie in team history, trailing only Doug Martin (1,926 in 2012). Despite his impressive stat line and the fanbase's fixation, Irving remains grounded and is focused on the encore. 2024 is in the rearview and Irving is preparing for another historical output come fall.
"One day I want to be one of the greats that played this game and leave my legacy," noted Irving. "I am not really a guy that sets goals. I just go out there when my number is called and when I have the ball in my hands, I try to help my team win in any fashion…It is always on my mind to do better because I am not satisfied."
Antoine Winfield Jr. Splash Plays
Antoine Winfield Jr. was sidelined for four games last season with a knee injury and accumulated three pass breakups, 2.0 sacks, four quarterback hits, and 60 tackles in nine game starts in 2024. The do-it-all safety set an unprecedented stat line in 2023, which cemented his place among the position's elite. Winfield Jr. became the highest graded player by PFF (91.2), and posted 6.0 sacks, three interceptions, 12 passes defensed, six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, six tackles for loss, 122 tackles and eight quarterback hits in 2023. Injuries derailed his 2024 season, but the chess piece is back to his old tricks in 2025. He nabbed two interceptions on Wednesday and collapsed the pocket on a would-be blitz on Friday. Winfield has showcased his range and insatiable appetite for making plays on the football.
"I have to continue to build off that [two interceptions] and at least make one splash play a day," described Winfield. "I know that when it comes game time, I am going to be trying to do that the whole time so I have to continue to make those splash plays."
