Fantasy Football Player Notes

Emeka Egbuka's rookie season was a rollercoaster, but the underlying usage points toward a major Year 2 breakout in Tampa Bay. The former Ohio State standout earned elite target volume for a rookie and looked like a future star early in the season before injuries and shifting usage slowed his momentum late in the year (top-10 WR from Weeks 1-11). With Mike Evans gone, Egbuka is positioned for a much larger role in Zac Robinson's offense. He is one of the more appealing second-year breakout WR candidates in fantasy football.

Chris Godwin's last two seasons have been derailed by injuries, and 2025 raised additional concerns about potential age-related decline entering his age-30 campaign. Even when healthy, Godwin struggled to command high-end volume or efficiency in Tampa Bay's crowded receiving corps. Still, the veteran remains an important part of the Buccaneers offense and flashed signs of life late in the year with a strong Week 17 performance. If fully healthy entering 2026, Godwin could rebound into fantasy relevance, although his ceiling appears much lower than it was during his prime seasons.

Jalen McMillan's 2025 season was essentially wiped out by injury, but the flashes he showed in limited action — and previously as a rookie — remain intriguing. The former Washington product continued to post strong efficiency metrics when healthy, highlighted by a huge Week 17 performance and over 2.0 yards per route run in a small sample. The issue has never really been talent; it has been availability. McMillan remains an upside stash in deeper formats, but fantasy managers need to factor in the growing injury concerns entering Year 3.

Ted Hurst is one of the more intriguing Day 2 receivers from the 2026 class after dominating at multiple collegiate stops and testing like a true NFL athlete. The Buccaneers landed a size-speed prospect with legitimate downfield chops, as Hurst led the FBS in deep-ball production while showcasing strong contested-catch ability and red-zone upside. Tampa Bay offers a realistic path to early playing time with Mike Evans gone, giving Hurst an opportunity to compete for outside snaps immediately. He may be somewhat raw entering the league, but the athletic profile, target-earning ability, and landing spot make Hurst an appealing upside bet for both dynasty and deeper redraft formats.