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Buccaneers rookie Emeka Egbuka nominated for two weekly awards after Falcons game

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have struck gold with former Ohio State Buckeyes wideout Emeka Egbuka.
River Wells|
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) celebrates with wide receiver Mike Evans (13) after scoring a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) celebrates with wide receiver Mike Evans (13) after scoring a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter. | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

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There were high expectations for Buccaneers wideout Emeka Egbuka after the team drafted him with the No. 19 pick in the NFL Draft despite defensive needs elsewhere. Those expectations only soared when experts and fans saw what Egbuka could do in the preseason and in training camp, and in Week 1 of the NFL season, Egbuka met those expectations and more.

Egbuka scored two touchdowns on 67 yards receiving to help the Buccaneers beat the Atlanta Falcons 23-20, accounting for two of Tampa Bay's three touchdown receptions. Egbuka is already showing off his ability as a producer, and he even called his shot on the game's go-ahead touchdown.

With all that in mind, it should come as no surprise that Egbuka is up for not one, but two weekly awards after his big performance.

Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka is already getting his flowers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons. | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Egbuka showed out in his first NFL game, so this first one makes sense. Egbuka was nominated as one of six finalists for the Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week alongside some tough competition — he'll be competing with Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Denver Broncos running back R.J. Harvey, Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson, Indianapolis Colts wideout Tyler Warren and Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr.

Don't just compare him to the rookies that came to the league with him this year, though — compare him to everyone. Egbuka is also up for a second award, being nominated as one of six nominees for the FedEx Air & Ground Player of the Week. Egbuka was nominated alongside Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert, Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers, Jacksonville Jaguars RB Travis Etienne and Baltimore Ravens RB Derrick Henry.

It will be tough to either of these awards, but it means that Egbuka is already in the national conversation, and it took just one week for that to happen. If he keeps balling the way he is, Tampa Bay's offense could get even more dangerous as the season progresses.

Egbuka will have his next opportunity to dazzle when the Bucs play the Houston Texans on the road for Monday Night Football in Week 2.

READ MORE: Former Buccaneers All-Pro explains why Bucs are biggest threat to Eagles

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River Wells
RIVER WELLS

River Wells is a sports journalist from St. Petersburg, Florida, who has covered the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since 2023. He graduated with a journalism degree from the University of Florida in 2021. You can follow him on Twitter @riverhwells.

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