Best Buccaneers NFL Draft fits: Inside wide receiver

The NFL Draft is right around the corner, and the Buccaneers have put themselves in a great position entering draft weekend. The Bucs have Mike Evans on the outside, but could add another big body to the fold.

We've already gone over Tampa Bay's potential targets at inside wideout. In this series, we’ll take a look at the best fits for Tampa Bay at the slot receiver position for each round. The draft is unpredictable, but if any of these players are on the board, the Buccaneers could be wise to make the selection.

Buccaneers potential draft targets and best fits: Slot wide receivers

Slot Wide Receivers

Round 1

Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State (6'0" / 201 / SR)

Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka jumps for a catch during the College Football Playoff semifinal game. | Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Egbuka is a pro-ready, complete receiver with excellent football IQ. He knows how to set up routes and dictate coverage to gain separation and get open. He displays tremendous ball-tracking skills to turn and locate the ball and high-point the catch with strong hands. He's always working back to the quarterback and was a threat in the red zone. On the flip side, Egbuka can get redirected in press coverage by more physical corners, doesn't have high-end acceleration, and can be a little tight-hipped in and out of his breaks. He isn't much of a YAC threat, and though he's willing, he needs to do a better job as a blocker. Egbuka finished as the Buckeyes' all-time receptions leader. His senior year, he compiled 81 receptions for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns. A team captain, he projects best out of the slot and also adds value as a kick and punt returner.

How he fits: There hasn't been any direct connection linking Egbuka and the Bucs, but this feels like it could be an under-the-radar move like Calijah Kancey two years ago. Egbuka might be the most pro-ready receiver in the draft. He would fight for snaps immediately and provide insurance if Godwin suffers any setbacks or doesn't return to form. Bowles said he wants horses, and Egubka is a workhorse. He brings value as a returner and will become Baker Mayfield's best friend as a reliable receiving option. It would be a shocker if the Bucs went receiver in the first round, but Egbuka is one of the best in the class.

Round 2

Jaylin Noel, Iowa State (5'11" / 194 / SR)

Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Jaylin Noel is held up by Miami Hurricanes defensive back Markeith Williams. | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Noel profiles best as a slot receiver with an excellent release and quickness into crisp routes. He displays exceptional hands, plucking balls away from his frame. He has sudden burst to pull away from defenders and is smooth in and out of his breaks. Noel understands how corners are trying to play him and uses it to his advantage to find soft spots in coverage to make the quarterback's life easier. However, Noel doesn't have much experience against press coverage, isn't a true vertical threat, and won't win with size in coverage. He's not going to break many tackles, has had more focus drops than you'd like, and will need to get stronger to be a factor as a blocker. Noel racked up 80 receptions for 1,194 yards and eight touchdowns in his senior season for the Cyclones. A two-year captain, he offers ability as a punt and kick returner and was very durable over his four years.

How he fits: Noel is a speedy slot with excellent ball skills. With McMillan poised to take most of his snaps outside with Godwin in the slot, having someone who can rotate in there and be a matchup threat opposite Godwin would give the Bucs offense a different look. Noel has exceptional character and work ethic and was voted captain for his final two years. He's been extremely durable, missing just one game, and can provide impact on punt and kick return. He had an informal interview with the Bucs at the NFL Combine and was brought in for an official 30 visit.

Round 3

Jack Bech, TCU (6'1" / 214 / SR)

TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Jack Bech makes a leaping catch over Oklahoma State Cowboys DB. | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Bech brings inside and outside versatility as a big, strong receiver with tremendous ball skills. He's quick off the line with good footwork to work in and out of his breaks, and he's not afraid to get physical at the top of his routes with subtle push-offs and an almost veteran savvy. Bech will make catches with defenders draped over him and knows how to make the first man miss, with 17 missed tackles forced. He'll fight to get off press coverage and knows how to find the soft spot in zone coverage. However, Bech has just average speed and athleticism, can get jammed up and rerouted by physical corners, and is not an effective blocker. He needs to show more nuance to his route running and has just one year of starting experience. He also battled injuries throughout his college career. He finished his senior season with 62 receptions for 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns.

How he fits: Although Bech saw a majority of his snaps outside last season, he is likely better suited to play slot at the next level. Heady and productive, Bech provides versatility to the offense with skills that should flourish in the NFL. He runs routes like a veteran with great ball skills and the ability to pick up yards after the catch. Bech brings physicality to the position that rarely drops a pass and has been compared to Puka Nacua. He projects better as a slot receiver and had a formal meeting with the Bucs at the NFL Combine.

Round 4

Tez Johnson, Oregon (5'9" / 154 / 5SR)

Oregon Ducks wide receiver Tez Johnson avoids the tackle by Penn State Nittany Lions safety Zakee Wheatley. | Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

Johnson is a quick, explosive slot receiver who, despite his size, knows how to win. He can start and stop on a dime, utilizing sharp cuts to create instant separation from defenders. A crisp route runner, he knows how to use leverage and plays good tempo and awareness to find soft spots in the defense, and is strong at the catch point. Lethal with the ball in his hands, he gets up to top speed quickly and is a threat in the return game. Despite that, his size does present limitations when facing more physical corners and when he's asked to block. He will struggle with contested catch situations and has a smaller catch radius and will too frequently double catch or body corral passes, leading to drops. He can be guilty of telegraphing his routes and will need to expand his route tree. Johnson was a high-volume target and reeled in 83 receptions for 898 yards and 10 touchdowns in his final year at Oregon.

How he fits: Johnson is a small, speedy wideout who can do damage from the slot. He knows how to run sharp routes and leverages corners to get open. He's a weapon in the screen game with the ability to rip off big runs due to his size, speed, and elusiveness. He'd bring a different element to the Bucs offense and could be a gadget-like player as he develops into a more rounded wide receiver. He also offers electric return ability. He had a formal interview with the Bucs at the NFL Combine.

Round 5

Jaylin Lane , Virginia Tech (5'9" / 191 / 5SR)

Virginia Tech Hokies wide receiver Jaylin Lane runs for a touchdown against Wake Forest Demon Deacons. | Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Lane is a speedy slot receiver who can also be utilized on end-arounds, jets, screens, and gadget plays. He gets up to top speed with quick acceleration, putting safeties on their heels as a three-level threat. He displays good spatial awareness to find soft spots in coverage, is challenging to bring down after the catch, and is a dynamic returner. However, despite his speed, Lane wasn't used much as a deep threat; he telegraphs his routes and isn't a contested catch threat, either. He needs refinement as a route runner — he'll short-step through his route, hindering his ability to separate with quickness and allowing defenders to close the gap, and he has limitations as a blocker due to his size. The speedy 4.34 receiver finished his final year with the Hokies with 38 receptions for 466 yards and two scores, adding 116 yards and two touchdowns on the ground and one through the air.

How he fits: Lane is a take-the-top-off slot receiver the Bucs haven't had in quite some time. He can be used in a variety of ways and has the sudden acceleration to be a problem on screens and sweeps. Lane brings something different to the Bucs' receiver room. He's a more dynamic Kam Johnson and would allow the Bucs to do some creative things on the offensive side of the football. The Bucs had a formal visit with Lane at the Combine.

Round 6

Jordan Watkins, Ole Miss ( 5'11" / 196 / 5SR)

Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Jordan Watkins breaks a final attempted tackle from Duke Blue Devils safety DaShawn Stone. | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Watkins produces at all three levels and has top-end speed to stack corners and pull away down the field. He's compact and physical and has no problem with contact off the snap or along the route, with good play strength to fight for the ball. He has a good feel for zone coverage and transitions smoothly as a runner after the catch. However, Watkins doesn't always play to his timed speed, didn't run a full route tree in college, and isn't shifty enough to create quick, sudden separation. His smaller catch radius will hinder him in contested catch situations, and though willing, he's inconsistent as a blocker. Watkins projects best as a possession slot receiver at the next level and finished his final year with the Rebels, hauling in 49 passes for 906 yards and nine touchdowns.

How he fits: Another quick and speedy slot guy, Watkins is a threat on all three levels with a good understanding of how to set corners up to pull away deep. Speed and size are two things the Bucs are lacking on their roster, and while Watkins doesn't have elite size, his 4.37 timed speed is a weapon for offenses. He had the most touchdowns in the SEC last year and is dangerous as a punt returner. He had an informal meeting with the Bucs at the NFL Combine.

Round 7

Konata Mumpfield, Pitt (5'11" / 186 / SR)

Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Konata Mumpfield runs after a catch against the Youngstown State Penguins. | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Mumpfield is a versatile route technician who wins with a savvy football IQ to find open windows against the defense. He catches defenders off guard with the suddenness of his releases and runs every route with purpose. He displays the athletic ability and body control to make adjustments mid-air to come away with contested grabs at the catch-point, and has good vision and slipperiness as a ball carrier. However, Mumpfield won't win with size or speed and won't create a ton of separation out of his breaks. He can be guilty of double-catching the ball, isn't a big YAC guy, and doesn't offer much experience on special teams. A team captain, Mumpfield finished his senior year with 52 receptions for 813 yards and five touchdowns.

How he fits: Mumpfield isn't an elite athlete, but he knows how to get open. He runs routes like a seasoned pro and has a quick release to create initial separation. A permanent move to slot is likely at the next level, but he could provide some versatility outside. He has the type of character and consistency the Bucs look for and would be a developmental guy that could impress in camp due to his meticulous detail and toughness. He had an informal meeting with the Bucs at the NFL Combine.

Stick with BucsGameday for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2025 offseason.

Follow BucsGameday on Twitter and Facebook

More Tampa Bay Buccaneers News

• Trade for Tampa Bay Buccaneers legend among best draft deals of all time

• Buccaneers potential draft targets and best fits: Slot wide receivers

• Buccaneers star Mike Evans sends message to Baker Mayfield

• NFL analyst says Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield could use 'Rory McIlroy-like moment'