Drafting A Different Tampa Bay Buccaneers Team

Below are the abbreviations for the positional players:


QB = quarterback
RB = running back
FB = full back
WR = wide receiver
TE = tight end

C = center
OT = offensive tackle
OG = offensive guard

DT = defensive tackle
DE = defensive end

LB = line backer

CB = corner back
S = safety
SS = strong safety
FS = free safety

P = punter
PK = place kicker
KR = kick returner

The Buccaneers did not have a 1st round draft selection in the 2003 NFL Draft. In round 2, the Bucs drafted Dewayne White (DE). White is a solid player, but Tampa Bay could have gotten more value from this pick if they took Lance Briggs (LB) or Jason Witten (TE).

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers wasted a draft choice in round 3 picking Chris Simms (QB) as he was only a starter for 15 games during his five-year tenure with the team. Simms was thought to be the future franchise quarterback for Tampa Bay. A better option here would have been Asante Samuel (CB) or Terrence McGee (CB).

In the 4th round, the Buccaneers had two picks, which were used on Lance Nimmo (OT) and Austin King (C). Nimmo and King never played a game for Tampa Bay. Instead of these disaster draft selections, the Bucs should have drafted David Diehl (OT), Dan Koppen (C) or Robert Mathis (DE).

Sean Mahan (OG) was taken in round 5 and has been a starter for a good portion of his career, so let's consider this a good pick for Tampa Bay. In round 6, the Bucs picked Torrie Cox (CB) and he is not considered a game changer. The Buccaneers should have taken Tony Romo (QB) who went undrafted. Other undrafted NFL stars were Antonio Gates (TE) and Kris Dielman (OG). The Bucs ignored these players, however they did sign one undrafted free agent, Earnest Graham (RB). Graham had filled-in nicely while "Cadillac" Williams was recovering from a severe leg injury. Tampa Bay found a gem with Graham.


Summary Of Players The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Should Have Acquired In 2003

Lance Briggs
Asante Samuel
David Diehl
Dan Koppen
Tony Romo
Antonio Gates
Kris Dielman

The Buccaneers drafted Michael Clayton (WR) with the 15th overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. Clayton had an outstanding rookie season (80 receptions, 1,193 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns). But his production has fallen off remarkably since his rookie campaign. Clayton's receiving yards in his next three seasons combined (2005 - 2007) don't even equal his rookie output (only 1,029 yards). The Bucs should have selected Shawn Andrews (OT), Will Smith (DE), Vince Wilfork (DT), Chris Snee (OT), Bob Sanders (SS), Nick Hardwick (C) or Darnell Dockett (DT). There were plenty of better players to chose from than Clayton who had shown promise, but failed to live up to it.

Marquis Cooper (LB) was drafted in round 3. Cooper played only two years with Tampa Bay and never started a game. A better draft pick here here would have been Nathan Vasher (CB), Chris Cooley (TE) or Matt Schaub (QB). In round 4, the Buccaneers selected Will Allen (FS) who has not been an elite NFL player. The Bucs just drafted the wrong Allen; they would have been better off selecting Jared Allen (DE).

In the 5th round, Tampa Bay picked Jeb Terry (OG) and never was starter except for one game. The Buccaneers should have taken Michael Turner (RB). The team wasted another draft selection on Nate Lawrie (TE). Lawrie played only two seasons with the Bucs. A better value pick here would have been Patrick Crayton (WR) or Derrick Ward (RB).


Summary Of Players The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Should Have Acquired In 2004

Bob Sanders
Nathan Vasher
Jared Allen
Michael Turner
Patrick Crayton

1. Warrick Dunn
2. Jeff Garcia
3. Earnest Graham
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense
5. Antonio Bryant

The Buccaneers had an outstanding 12 draft picks in the 2005 NFL Draft (four of them in round 7, however). Tampa Bay chose Carnell "Cadillac" Williams (RB) with the 5th overall pick. "Cadillac" had a real strong rookie year (1,178 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns). He was much like Clayton, so much so that "Cadillac's" stats also declined after his rookie year and then suffered a severe leg injury in 2007. It is too early to tell if "Cadillac" Williams was a bad draft choice, but more reliable players like Roddy White (WR), DeMarcus Ware (LB) or Logan Mankins (OG) were still available on the draft board.

In the 2nd round, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Barrett Ruud (LB) and has become more of a force for the defense when he became a full-time starter in 2007. However, another player has played at even higher level and is a multi-time Pro Bowler, Lofa Tatupu (LB).

Alex Smith (TE) was drafted in round 3 and has not made a name for himself. A better pick here would have been Justin Tuck (DE). The Bucs had another 3rd round pick, which was used to grab Chris Colmer (OT). Colmer, in two seasons, never played a game with Tampa Bay. The Bucs should have drafted Marion Barber III (RB).

In the 4th round, the Buccaneers took Dan Buenning (OG) who became just an average player. A better option here would have been Brandon Jacobs (RB) or Trent Cole (DE). Round 5 brought Donte Nicholson (S) and Larry Brackins (WR) to the team. Nicholson is not a starter and Brackins never recorded a stat during his two-year stay. Tampa Bay should have picked Atari Bigby (S) and Josh Cribbs (KR). Both players were undrafted free agents as well as Ryan Grant (RB) and Nate Washington (WR). The Bucs could have used their draft picks to select these guys instead of letting them sign with other teams.


Summary Of Players The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Should Have Acquired In 2005

DeMarcus Ware
Lofa Tatupu
Justin Tuck
Marion Barber III
Trent Cole
Atari Bigby
Josh Cribbs
Ryan Grant
Nate Washington

With the 23rd overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, the Buccaneers selected Davin Joseph (OG). Joseph has been a starter for most of his career, but has not be recognized as an elite player. Marcus McNeill (OT), however, is a multi-time Pro Bowl player.

The Bucs drafted Jeremy Trueblood (OT) in round 2. Trueblood also has been a starter for nearly every game he has played in and this will be considered a good pick, because no other impact offensive lineman were still available after Trueblood was drafted.

In the 3rd round, the Bucs chose Maurice Stovall (WR) and it was not good pick. Stovall has started few games, so a better pick here would have been Brandon Marshall (WR) or Owen Daniels (TE). The Buccaneers took Alan Zemaitis (CB) in the 4th round and he was only with the team for one year. A better option here would have been Barry Cofield (DT).

Julian Jenkins (DE) was taken in round 5 by the Bucs. Jenkins played one season and never started a game. The Buccaneers would have been better off drafting Omar Gaither (LB).

Tampa Bay grabbed Bruce Gradkowski (QB) in the 6th round. Gradkowski was the starting quarterback for 11 games in 2007, but failed to impress coaches. The Bucs should have picked Antoine Bethea (FS). With another pick in round 6, the Buccaneers selected T.J. Williams (TE) and it was another terrible pick as never recorded a stat with Tampa Bay. A much better selection here would have been Marques Colston (WR).


Summary Of Players The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Should Have Acquired In 2006

Marcus McNeill
Brandon Marshall
Barry Cofield
Omar Gaither
Antoine Bethea
Marques Colston

Tampa Bay has certainly mismanaged a lot of their draft picks. They had the propensity to select more busts than studs. As mentioned before, every NFL team will make mistakes drafting a few duds. But even drafting a couple of star players can possibly increase the team's success.

The Buccaneers "team" listed below could have actually been drafted by Tampa Bay. The team is based on draft locations and franchise needs.

Tony Romo (QB)

Marion Barber III (RB)
Ryan Grant (RB)
Michael Turner (RB)
Earnest Graham (RB)

Marques Colston (WR)
Brandon Marshall (WR)
Patrick Crayton (WR)
Nate Washington (WR)

Antonio Gates (TE)
Chris Cooley (TE)

Dan Koppen (C)
Sean Mahan (OG)
Kris Dielman (OG)
Logan Mankins (OG)
David Diehl (OT)
Marcus McNeill (OT)
Jeremy Trueblood (OT)

Will Smith (DE)
Jared Allen (DE)
Justin Tuck (DE)
Trent Cole (DE)
Barry Cofield (DT)

Lofa Tatupu (LB)
Lance Briggs (LB)
Omar Gaither (LB)

Asante Samuel (CB)
Atari Bigby (S)
Antoine Bethea (FS)

Josh Cribbs (KR)