As the Buccaneers 2025 rookie class arrives in Tampa, here are five first-year players to keep your eye on

Brianna Dix

The Buccaneers' 2025 rookie class arrived at the AdventHealth Training Center on Thursday. Since the NFL's three-day draft spectacle in Green Bay, the Bucs' brass has received a favorable report card from various media outlets, praising the team's selections in building for the future. After its fourth straight division title, Tampa Bay ushers in its newest acquisitions six players taken in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Bucs selected receiver Emeka Egbuka (19, first round), cornerback Benjamin Morrison (53, second round), cornerback Jacob Parrish (84, third round), outside linebacker David Walker (121, fourth round), defensive lineman Elijah Roberts (157, fifth round) and receiver Tez Johnson (235, seventh round). Throughout rookie minicamp, there will be several intriguing position battles and competition will spark between the hash marks. As the newest Bucs hit the field, here are five players to watch:

Emeka Egbuka

The Buccaneers began the draft by taking Ohio State's Egbuka in the first round. His skillset, which is similar in nature to that of Chris Godwin, was too intriguing for the Bucs to pass up. Egbuka will join a talented receiving room led by Godwin and Mike Evans, bringing his own dimension to the mix. Todd Bowles confirmed that Egbuka will get work at all three receiver spots and will be utilized across the formation to provide juice in the team's offensive juggernaut. Egbuka played primarily out of the slot at Ohio State and finished his collegiate career with the most receptions (205) and ranked second in receiving yards in program history. He runs routes with precision and understands how to manipulate coverage with tempo and footwork variations at the stem. He commands the catch point and will be another friendly target for Baker Mayfield. He quickly finds voids in zone and works back to the football with ease on crossers. Egbuka is also a willing blocker and will be one to watch when he hits the practice field for the first time as a Buccaneer.

Jacob Parrish

The Buccaneers double-dipped at corner in the 2025 NFL Draft, with the second selection going to Kansas State's Parrish. The Bucs addressed one of the biggest concerns on the depth chart, solidifying the position and adding competition to breed success. At Kansas State, Parrish played outside cornerback and also transitioned to nickel on third-down packages. Parrish led the team in passes defensed as a junior and as a sophomore, setting the tone in the secondary with change-of-direction skills and great vertical speed. He looks to disrupt releases with balanced footwork and he boasts strong open-field tackling ability. Parrish possesses inside-outside versatility, and the 2024 Honorable Mention All-Big 12 player is always looking for the ball and will bring his ball skills to the Bay.

David Walker

The Bucs added to the outside linebacker room by acquiring Haason Reddick and re-signing Anthony Nelson to join Yaya Diaby and Chris Braswell, but that did not stop the club's brass from adding more pass-rush firepower with Walker. A three-time Consensus All-American, Walker became one of the most productive players in FCS history, posting 82.5 tackles for loss and 39 sacks over the previous four seasons at Central Arkansas and Southern Arkansas. He imposes his will on blockers with burst off the snap and violent hands. Walker wreaked havoc with 33.8 percent of his career tackles coming in the backfield. With a balanced rush attack of both quickness and strength-based maneuvers, Walker spearheaded the line for Central Arkansas and will add a multi-faceted skillset for Bowles to weaponize.

Elijah Roberts

The Bucs strengthened the defensive line with Elijah Roberts, a two-year starter for the Mustangs. Over the previous two seasons at SMU, Roberts combined for 131 pressures, which ranked No. 1 in the FBS during that span. He utilizes his strength to overpower at the point of attack and bullies with a trademark bull rush. Roberts has an effective speed-to-power conversion and uses his length to set a firm edge. Having played both as a seven and nine-technique for SMU, Roberts will bring his versatile repertoire to the Buccaneers.

Tez Johnson

The Bucs picked up another receiver in the seventh, Oregon's energizer receiver/punt returner Tez Johnson. Johnson provides punt return potential, as well as explosive speed that is evident before and after the catch. He will reunite with former Oregon teammate, Bucky Irving, in red and pewter. Johnson will be one to keep an eye on in the open field during rookie minicamp, as his ability shows up on screens and verticals. He can quickly work over the top of corners and ranked No. 2 in the FBS with 35 catches behind the line of scrimmage in 2024. Johnson can start and stop with ease to redirect and averaged 8.9 yards per punt return in college. Despite only playing two years for the Ducks, he finished in the top-five in Oregon history in career catches (169).