Transitioning to the "Z" role under Zac Robinson, Emeka Egbuka prepares to maximize his yards after catch by leveraging the same space-creating scheme that fueled Cooper Kupp’s stardom.
Tampa Bay wide receiver Emeka Egbuka had a breakout rookie season for the Buccaneers in 2025, registering 63 receptions for 938 yards and six touchdowns.
While the Ohio State product was the early front-runner for the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, a nagging hamstring injury, combined with quarterback Baker Mayfield playing through multiple injuries, derailed Egbuka’s hot start.
Through the first six games, Egbuka averaged 17.3 yards per catch and 78.1 yards receiver per game and had five touchdowns before being injured in a Week 6 30-19 win against the San Francisco 49ers.
What makes his hot start to his rookie season is that Egbuka was playing in an offensive scheme that was not catered to using his strengths, according to Matt Harmon of Reception Perception.
Last season 68.6 percent of Egbuka’s routes came as an outside receiver with only 30.2 percent of his routes in the slot. Along with Egbuka coming into the league as a projected slot receiver, Harmon pointed out that of his routes run, 64 percent came when he was lined up on the line of scrimmage—which is not one of Egbuka’s strengths.
This season, according to Harmon, could be an even bigger year for Egbuka with the addition of Zac Robinson as the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator.
In Robinson’s offense Egbuka will play in the “Z” role, allowing him to run the routes he’s excelled at (post, dig, slant) and line up as an off-the-ball receiver to take advantage of his ability to manipulate coverage in space.
As the Los Angeles Rams’ passing-game coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2021, Robinson’s “Z” receiver was Cooper Kupp. That season Kupp went on to secure the receiving “Triple Crown” by leading the league in receptions (145), yards (1,947) and touchdowns (16), earning him AP Offensive Player of the Year honors. Kupp crowned his legendary season by being named the Super Bowl LVI MVP in the Rams’ win against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Along with being healthy coming into training camp Egbuka’s new role opens up the opportunity for squeezing out additional yardage after the catch. During his Triple Crown season Kupp had an eye-popping 846 yards after the catch with an average depth of target (ADOT) of 8.6 yards. He also caught nearly 76 percent of his 191 targets. Last season Egbuka had just 335 yards after the catch and an ADOT of 12.1 yards, while catching just 49.6 percent of his 127 targets.
Regardless of lining up on the outside or in the slot in Robinson’s offense, lowering Egbuka’s snaps lined up on the line of scrimmage will allow him to create more separation prior to the snap and once he has the ball in his hands.
Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
