Since their conception in 1976, the Bucs have enjoyed the worst win percentage in the entire NFL. They have also had some truly awful draft decisions, including picking one of the best running backs in history despite him promising he would never play for them. However, they have what a lot of teams do not- a Superbowl. Here are the five best and five worst first round draft selections by the Buccaneers.
5th worst – Josh Freeman – 2009
Freeman came into the league in 2009 off the back of a successful collegiate career with Kansas State, yet the warning signs were there that he turned the ball over far too often and was not the most gifted passer. His first season with the Bucs was a nightmare, and he threw 18 interceptions to just 10 TDs as they finished with a 3-13 record. His sophomore season showed much improvement, with his passer rating almost doubling from the season prior as he led the Bucs to 10-6. However, it only went down from here. 39 fumbles and 68 interceptions in just 62 games was not acceptable, and he was cut in 2012.
5th best – Aquib Talib – 2008
Drafted in 2008 with the 20th pick, Talib quickly became known around the league as being one of the toughest corners there was. Although he had problems with injuries, Talib was a lockdown defender from 2009-2011 for the Bucs. He had 10+ pass deflections in all three seasons and 13 interceptions overall. Problems off the field led to his trade to the Patriots in 2012, but he was dominant in his time with the Bucs.
4th worst – Reidel Anthony – 1998
Anthony was an entirely forgettable receiver drafted with the 16th pick in 1997. He had one decent season in 1998, with 700 yards and 7 touchdowns, but he only ever managed to start 37 games and was used mostly in special teams. He accrued more yards with kick-off returns than he did receiving. Not exactly the impact you want from your first-round selection.
4th best – Warrick Dunn – 1997
As the 12th overall pick in the 1997 draft, Dunn exploded onto the scene, winning offensive rookie of the year and earning a Pro Bowl selection in the process. He was so close to a 1000 yard rushing season, which he then got in both 1998 and 2000. Dunn rushed for almost 11,000 yards in his impressive 11-year career, adding 4339 more in receiving. He was one of the first of the new wave running backs that were just as good in the receiving game as there were on the ground.
3rd worst – Vernon Hargreaves – 2016
Hargreaves was supposed to be the man that helped that Bucs pass defence become somewhat competent. Instead he did the exact opposite. He had just two picks in four years whilst getting constantly exposed by opposition receivers. The Tampa Bay secondary was arguably the worst in the league from 2016-2019, the years Hargreaves lasted in the squad. He’s now with the Houston Texans, much to their dismay.
3rd best – Warren Sapp – 1995
Sapp was furious at his selection to the ‘Yuks’ as he called them. He got on with it though, winning defensive player of the year in 1999 and being named to seven Pro Bowls and four All Pro First Teams. He was dominant on the defensive line, throwing his blockers to the side as he hunted quarterbacks. He amassed 16.5 sacks in 2000, and ended his career with an incredible 96. He was a vital part of the ruthless Buccaneers defence of the early 2000s, winning a Superbowl in 2002. He was rightly inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013.
2nd worst – Jameis Winston – 2015
Coming out of Florida State in 2015, Winston was supposed to be the next big thing in the NFL with his huge arm and ability to escape the pocket to make big plays. His rookie season was promising, as he became the first ever rookie to amass 4000 yards passing. His 15 interceptions and six fumbles were brushed off as rookie season inevitabilities, but his turnover problem was only just beginning. He turned the ball over 59 times in the next three seasons, as the Bucs failed to make the playoffs in any of his seasons. Then came 2019 and his worst season yet, 30 interceptions. The most picks ever thrown in a season by an NFL quarterback. This was the final straw as he was finally let go, to the joy of the fans. Safe to say we won’t miss moments like these…
2nd best – Lee Roy Selmon – 1976
Selmon was the first ever draft pick by the Bucs after they became a new expansion team in 1976. Drafting him seemed like a sure thing at the time, with the defensive end totalling a monster 28 sacks in just his final two years at college. Selmon came good in a huge way, making six straight Pro Bowls and being name the defensive player of the year in 1979. He was unfortunately forced to retire in 1984 after a serious back injury, but was still inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Worst – Bo Jackson – 1986
Jackson was a once in a generation type of athlete that took the league by storm for the short time that he played in it. He also played baseball to an elite level. Jackson was taken by the Bucs first overall, a no brainer considering his talent. The only problem was, he never suited up in orange. The Bucs had flown him out to their facilities in the hope that he would be impressed. However, this broke college baseball regulations and Jackson was suspended for his final season. He was furious. He told the Bucs that they could pick him if they wanted, he would just refuse to play. For some reason they selected him anyway and Jackson proceeded to sign with the Kansas City Royals in the MLB instead. This is what the Bucs missed out on:
Best – Derrick Brooks – 1995
Brooks is arguably the greatest line-backer of all time. The perfect combination of skill and athleticism, Brooks did things no other line-backer could at the time. His dominance led to 11 Pro Bowl selections, five All Pro First Team selections and an induction into the Hall of Fame. Then there was the small matter of a pick-six in the 2002 Superbowl. Brooks played for the Bucs for 13 years, playing all 16 games in every single season. He is undoubtedly the best to ever pull on the Buccaneers jersey.
For more best and worst, see the up and down Wales career of Warren Gatland.