Buccaneers' Emeka Egbuka claims first NFL award after blistering opening month

Adam Schultz

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Buccaneers' Emeka Egbuka claims first NFL award after blistering opening month image

It has been some opening month to Emeka Egbuka's career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the former Ohio State Buckeye has been like a duck to water in Josh Grizzard's system.

Through four games, Egbuka has hauled in 18 receptions for 282 yards and four touchdowns to be Baker Mayfield's go-to guy in the passing game.

He leads Tampa Bay in yards and touchdowns through the first month, and to go with his spectacular one-handed catches, Emeka has now been rewarded for his sensational first four weeks of his career, winning Offensive Rookie of the Month.

The first-round pick has been as advertised since being drafted, with the coaching staff and players marveling at how smart Egbuka is when it comes to his football IQ, knowing routes, where and when to be, along with knowing the jobs of his teammates as well.

It has been a great first month for Emeka, and now he's been rewarded for it.

More: Bucky Irving, Mike Evans injury updates from Bucs' Thursday practice aren't good

Ebguka carrying the offensive load for Grizzard

With the injuries to Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, Egbuka has been forced to be "the" guy for Mayfield in the opening month.

Godwin returned in Week 4, while Evans has been out for a couple of weeks with a hamstring injury, and that has forced Egbuka to become the No. 1 weapon, and he has played like it.

It is easy to forget he is a rookie, but everything we've heard is how mature he is for such a young player and his play on the field mimics that to a tee. 

Granted, it is only a small sample size, but head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Jason Licht surely feel vindicated for their selection of Emeka given how much production he's given the offense.

It is the first award of Egbuka's career, and we bet that it won't be the last.

Adam Schultz

Adam Schultz is a freelance writer at The Sporting News. An Australian journalist with years of experience covering the Dallas Cowboys and the NFL, Adam has interviewed several high-profile athletes in Australia for various sites and brings a unique view on the NFL.