Draft Analysis: Emeka Egbuka

April 8, 2025 /
  • Height: 6’0″
  • Weight: 202 lbs.
  • College: Ohio State
  • Tape watched: 2023 Michigan, Tennessee, Oregon, Notre Dame, Penn State
  • NFL Comparison: Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Pros

  • Route Running

One of the most pro-ready players at the position, Emeka Egbuka shines with his route running abilities. Egbuka, primarily a slot receiver at Ohio State, was trusted with multiple route concepts and all route tree variations. He has NFL-ready polish with his route running IQ. Egbuka’s patience and tempo through his stem and explosion out of his breaks is impressive. While he has adequate NFL-speed, the acceleration and burst Egbuka possesses creates plenty of separation.

Egbuka navigates a lot of traffic and finishes the route with a perfect throwing pocket for the quarterback.
  • Hands

Largely known for having the most reliable hands in the class, Egbuka is a black hole for targets. Egbuka was 4th in catch percentage among the top 30 receivers in total targets with 76.4%. He is a comfortable hand catcher that plucks balls out of the air rather than trapping them with his body.

  • Release

Egbuka has a strong base that pushes upfield with authority. Against press coverage, Egbuka weaponizes his hands, shoots his shoulders, and has technical footwork.

Midline

  • Blocking

I wanted to come away with a positive impression of Egbuka as a run blocker, but he never impressed. Egbuka is late on too many assignments, sets up bad techniques, and can look uninterested overall at times. Egbuka has all the tools and traits to dominate this aspect of his game, and an NFL coach will hopefully help him reach that ceiling.

  • YAC

While Egbuka isn’t overly twitchy, he boasts above-average YAC stats. He will run behind his pads when he needs to and can slip arm tackles as well.

Cons

  • Physicality

Emeka Egbuka is every bit a technician on the field. Where he leaves more to be desired is his effective play strength. Egbuka could really become a more complete receiver through more physicality. His blocking game and release would benefit from more active tenacity.

  • Deep Speed

Egbuka has a paltry career 9.1 yards average depth of target. His success downfiel stems more from his great route running and change of pace than his elite deep speed.

Overview

Emeka Egbuka is a complete and NFL ready receiver. He is reportedly a great locker room character as well. The benefit of drafting Egbuka is knowing exactly what you will get. The downside of him is his ceiling is most likely what he displayed in four years at Ohio State: a steady, dependable receiver who makes occasional splash plays. The latter is the exception, not the standard with Egbuka.

Steady and dependable receivers are hard to find and paid very well in the NFL. Expect as much from Emeka Egbuka.