Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka is facing Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff National Championship tonight, giving him another chance to help his NFL Draft stock.
After a strong season, Egbuka is widely regarded as a first-round talent. Let’s examine his scouting report, potential landing spots, and where he went in our latest mock draft.
Emeka Egbuka’s Scouting Report for the 2025 NFL Draft
Egbuka joined the Buckeyes in the same recruiting class as 2024 No. 4 overall pick Marvin Harrison Jr. In fact, Egbuka was the higher-rated recruit coming out of high school.
A five-star recruit out of Steilacoom, Wash., Egbuka drew comparisons to past early-round picks. And as soon as he reached eligibility, it seemed as though he was following that same trajectory.
Alongside Harrison in 2022, Egbuka racked up 74 catches for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns while also adding 87 yards and two scores on 11 carries. As both a RAC weapon and a surgical independent separator, Egbuka showcased extremely enticing potential.
That potential was still prevalent in 2023, but new uncertainties came to light. Egbuka struggled to stay healthy throughout the season and ended up needing surgery for an ankle injury. Through it all, he managed only 41 catches for 515 yards and four scores.
Ultimately, Egbuka chose to return to school for his senior season in order to improve his stock after a down year. This season, he has caught 70 passes for 896 yards and six touchdowns.
Egbuka is one of the most exciting utility WRs to hit the circuit in recent years. And when you run Egbuka’s profile through the three-level threat framework, his physical tools and his projected versatility begin to shine.
As an athlete, Egbuka is extremely explosive, fluid, and flexible, with more than enough vertical speed. He can sear and slice his way through zone coverage looks but also has the intentional movement, snappy suddenness, and spatial awareness to win against man coverage.
Though he isn’t quite as consistent at the catch point, Egbuka has flashed the skills of a fairly instinctive converter with good reaction speed and body control, and he also has an ideal RAC profile with his lean 205-pound frame, explosiveness, and agility.
Overall, Egbuka has the feel of a solid three-level threat WR with exciting alignment and usage versatility. Coaches can scheme him touches on jet sweeps, swings, drags, screens, and other short routes. But he also has the full route tree and complete skill set to be employed in countless other ways. With his high-end tools and his ability to blend into many different roles, Egbuka is no doubt a Round 1 prospect.
Latest Projection in PFN’s 2025 NFL Mock Draft
In Pro Football Network’s latest seven-round 2025 NFL mock draft, Egbuka is projected to get picked No. 17 overall by the Cincinnati Bengals. Here’s what PFN’s Dalton Miller had to say about the projected pick: “The Egbuka selection here comes with the caveat that Tee Higgins will not be around next season. Egbuka brings a necessary element that should help unlock another level for an already unbelievable Joe Burrow.
“He doesn’t have the catch radius or above-the-rim game of Higgins, but he does something potentially even more valuable in the Bengals offense. He wins IMMEDIATELY and consistently as a route runner. Don’t let that fool you into thinking he’s some third-down chain mover. Egbuka isn’t a speed demon, but he’s quick and sturdy enough to be a true three-level threat at the next level because he is already a professional route runner. In fact, he’s been a professional route runner for the better part of three seasons.”
Miller also lists Egbuka as the No. 18 overall player on his Top 100 NFL Draft Big Board: “Egbuka has the natural play strength, frame, and technical detail to play on the outside at both outside designations. However, his skill set would be best utilized in the slot, allowing him full freedom to operate as the route-running savant he is. Egbuka’s lackluster top-end explosiveness theoretically limits his ceiling, but he’s in a similar mold to Amon-Ra St. Brown, who has rounded into one of the most dangerous pass-catchers in the league.”
Looking at PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator, Egbuka has an ADP of 19.4. Users controlling the Denver Broncos select him the most (12.3% of the time in the first round), followed by users controlling the Atlanta Falcons (8.9%) and Houston Texans (7.7%).
Here’s a look at how Egbuka’s ADP has changed over time.
Potential Landing Spots for Egbuka in the 2025 NFL Draft
Here are several possible destinations for the Ohio State star wide receiver.
Pittsburgh Steelers
While the Steelers must figure out their quarterback situation this offseason, the best thing Pittsburgh can do right now is provide weapons for whoever ends up being their signal-caller long-term.
George Pickens is Pittsburgh’s only reliable wide receiver at the moment. While the Steelers have been linked to numerous wide receivers on the trade market, they haven’t been able to land a high-profile name via trade. While they acquired Mike Williams before the deadline, he didn’t move the needle much and is a free agent this offseason.
Landing a wide receiver who complements Pickens and improves the passing attack will likely be a priority this offseason. Pairing the 22-year-old Egbuka with the 23-year-old Pickens could give Pittsburgh a solid one-two punch going forward.
Denver Broncos
Bo Nix appears to be the Denver Broncos’ long-term solution at quarterback, but who is Denver’s long-term answer at wide receiver?
Courtland Sutton has stepped up and developed a strong connection with Nix, but he turns 30 years old next season and is entering the final year of his contract.
Marvin Mims Jr. has disappointed, and Troy Franklin hasn’t emerged as a significant contributor. Seventh-round pick Devaughn Vele has been a pleasant surprise, but he’s more of a depth piece.
The Broncos will want to get Nix another weapon so he can take the next step in his development.
Washington Commanders
Quarterback Jayden Daniels has taken D.C. by storm this season, putting together arguably the best rookie season in NFL history. The best way for Washington to support the ascending superstar is by surrounding him with more weapons.
Veteran wide receiver Terry McLaurin has been excellent this year, but like Sutton, he’s about to turn 30 years old and enter the final year of his contract. Pairing McLaurin with another threat could make the Commanders’ offense even scarier.
Washington doesn’t have a reliable WR2 on their roster. Aside from McLaurin, the Commanders’ WRs are Olamide Zaccheaus, Noah Brown, Dyami Brown, and Luke McCaffrey. The lack of a WR2 is why tight end Zach Ertz has essentially become Washington’s No. 2 option this year, which isn’t sustainable since he’s 34 years old.
This team is already one game away from the Super Bowl, but imagine what Daniels could do with another star wide receiver?
