Patriots draft profile: Emeka Egbuka is a plug-and-play receiver

Egbuka was one of the most productive Buckeyes in program history.

Heading toward the NFL Draft, the New England Patriots have plenty of room for improvement at the wide receiver position. While the addition of Stefon Diggs may not force the Patriots hand at the position, the group lacks young, high-upside talent to develop alongside second-year quarterback Drake Maye. In order to find that talent, turning to the draft makes the most sense.

One of the targets to keep an eye on in that regard is Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka, who leaves Ohio State as one of the program’s more productive players all-time.

Hard facts

Name: Emeka Egbuka

Position: Wide receiver

School: Ohio State

Opening day age: 22 (10/14/2002)

Measurements: 6’0”, 202 pounds, 9 5/8” hand size, 31 1/2” arm length, 76 5/8” wingspan, 4.48 40-yard dash, 38” vertical, 4.12s short shuttle, 9.27 Relative Athletic Score

Experience

Colleges: Ohio State (2021-24)

Career statistics: 50 games (38 starts) | 2,035 offensive snaps, 260 special teams snaps | 205 receptions, 2,868 receiving yards, 24 touchdowns, 23 carries, 150 yards, 2 touchdowns | 40 returns (22 kick, 18 punt), 725 return yards

Accolades: CFP national champion (2024), Second team All-Big Ten (2022), Third team All-Big Ten (2023, 2024)

A multi-sport athlete growing up, Egbuka found his calling on the football field where he became a consensus top-10 recruit nationally and the top-ranked wide receiver in the 2021 class. He eventually committed to Ohio State over nearly every powerhouse program (Alabama, LSU, Georgia, Texas, Michigan, etc.).

Arriving in Columbus in 2021, Egbuka joined a talented receiving group (as he would every year) that was led by Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Chris Olave. That crowded depth chart led to Egbuka recording just nine receptions — which he took for 191 yards — in 11 games played.

With Wilson and Olave NFL bound and JSN battling injuries the following year, Egbuka took over as the Buckeyes top receiver next to Marvin Harrison Jr. Starting all 13 games, he recorded 74 receptions for 1,151 yards (including six 100-yard games) and 10 touchdowns en route to earning second-team all-Big Ten honors.

Injuries then plagued Egbuka the following year as an ankle injury costed him three games. He returned after undergoing tightrope surgery in October but was not 100 percent finishing with 41 catches for 515 yards and four scores in 10 games played — still enough for him to be named to third-team All-Big Ten.

A surprise to some, Egbuka returned for his senior season where he teamed up with future high draft selections Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. Serving as a captain, Egbuka was a key piece of the Buckeyes team that went on to win the National Championship — where his six receptions in the finale broke Ohio State’s all-time school record for career receptions with 205. In total, Egbuka ended his senior season posting a career-high 81 receptions to go with 1,011 yards and 10 scores.

Despite never being the most talented receiver on the depth chart in any season, Egbuka entered the NFL Draft as one of Ohio State’s most productive receivers in history. Beyond holding the receptions record, Egbuka finished second all-time with 2,868 career receiving yards — joining Harrison as one of two receivers to post two 1,000-yard receiving seasons — and finished seventh with 24 touchdown receptions.

Draft profile

Expected round: 1-2 (Top 40) | Consensus big board: No. 33 | Patriots meeting: N/A

Strengths: Egbuka may not “wow” you in any fashion, but he’s a damn good football player. He is a smart, tough receiver who is not afraid to work over the middle of the field from both the slot or outside — getting his nose dirty as a blocker throughout his career as well (No. 2 below).

As a route runner, Egbuka is quick and wastes little movement with his footwork which allows him to get off the line of scrimmage and suddenly cut off routes. He is a tough cover in man-to-man — specifically working outside and underneath — and shows a great feel for space in coverage in total and against zone. His IQ, ability to get open and knack of working back to the football project Egbuka as a quarterback’s best friend and chain mover at the next level.

His baseball background is clear when it comes to his ball tracking and adjustment skills. Egbuka consistently showed the concentration ability to work through defenders in his face and haul in throws outside of his frame.

A team captain last season, Egbuka’s knowledge and leadership on and off the field have earned fantastic remarks — highlighted by the viral video of him speaking a game-clinching play in the Nation Championship into existence and being praised by wide receiver coach Brian Hartline after the team’s crushing loss to Michigan last season.

“When we had our trials and tribulations, and we were down in the dumps a little bit, his firmness in believing the kind of guys we were, the coaching staff we were, the team we had, the brotherhood we had, the culture we had, he was convinced that we were good,” Hartline said.

“To hear that coming from Emeka, to see how he brought guys together, his conviction and the things he said really went a long way. After the outcome, the ability for us to win that big one, to see him crying, I just kept thinking of the things he said to our unit with the belief of the guys around him. That was pretty special, man.”

Weaknesses: Quicker than fast, Egbuka does not have elite long speed (clocked a 4.48 40-yard dash) which could limit him as a vertical threat at the next level. Still, he showed the ability to eat up off-coverage and run away from and split defenders with the ball in his hands. There is plenty of athleticism to not limit him.

Egbuka also ran over 80 percent of his snaps in the slot at Ohio State. He struggled at time with physical corners at the line of scrimmage which may led to teams keeping him inside.

Patriots preview

What would be his role? Egbuka is a day one starter for any team that drafts him — especially one like New England who needs wide receiver upgrades. He would be a versatile option for Josh McDaniels and immediately become a reliable target for Drake Maye over the middle of the field.

What is his growth potential? As one of the most productive collegiate receivers with NFL caliber traits, Egbuka’s current game translates well to the next level. While his lack of an elite athletic profile may lower his ceiling compared to others, his floor is extremely high as he should be a big-time part of a successful passing attack — perhaps in a similar fashion to his former teammate Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Does he have positional versatility? Egbuka spent most of his time in the slot for the Buckeyes. That is where he projects best at the next level as a Z or slot receiver who can feast in the short and intermediate areas of the field. However, that shouldn’t stop teams from using him on the outside of times. He also has plenty of experience in the return game (earning a honorable mention all-Big Ten on special teams his freshman year).

Why the Patriots? The Patriots continue to search for pass catching upgrades and Egbuka is one of the top options in this year’s class. His IQ, toughness, and character on and off the field project as exactly what Mike Vrabel is looking for in his players while Egbuka’s skillset would make him a strong pairing with Drake Maye and Josh McDaniels.

Why not the Patriots? New England’s current depth chart at wide receiver lacks size and speed. The 6-foot Egbuka, who lacks elite speed, then could be looked at as redundant to the current group — especially if hope remains for a bounce back from Ja’Lynn Polk.

One-sentence verdict: A pros pro on and off the field, Egbuka is a wise addition to any team looking for an immediate pass catching upgrade.

What do you think about Emeka Egbuka as a potential Patriots target? Please head down to the comment section to share your thoughts.