Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Best Non-First Round Picks in Team History

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had a top-five overall pick in the NFL draft nine times in their 37-year history.

While most names, such as Lee Roy Selmon (No. 1), Bo Jackson (No. 1), Vinny Testaverde (No. 1), Paul Gruber (No. 4) and Cadillac Williams (No. 5) ring familiar, very few of those high picks ever fully panned out.

All told, the Bucs have chosen 34 players in the first round in team history, most recently safety Mark Barron (No. 7) and running back Doug Martin (No. 31) in 2012.

Yet, despite their numerous first-round choices, history has shown us that they have had much better luck drafting players from the second round on. Because for every Gaines Adams (No. 4) and Broderick Thomas (No. 6) that they've missed on, there have been equally as many mid-round gems.

To that point, here are the best non-first round picks in Buccaneers team history.

Best Second Round Picks

While first round picks garner the attention and are considered the "sexy" picks of the draft, the truth is teams and dynasties are built by the subsequent draft choices made.

Which explains why scouting has been and will continue to be an area of importance for each of the 32 NFL teams.

When it comes to the Bucs, the second round in particular has been good to them.

Notable second-round picks:

• RB James Wilder, No. 34 overall in 1981; the team's all-time leading rusher (5,957 yards) and receiver (430 receptions); 14 career games of 100-plus rushing yards; 46 total TDs are second-most in team history.
• WR Courtney Hawkins, No. 44 overall in 1992; 48 career starts; 206 receptions, 2,744 yards and 13 TDs in five seasons with the Bucs. 
• WR Kevin House, No. 49 overall in 1980; 286 receptions, 4,928 yards and 31 TDs. Had 14 games of 100-plus receiving yards in seven seasons with the Bucs. His 31 receiving TDs are second-most in team history. 
• *FB Mike Alstott, No. 35 overall in 1996; 137 starts in 11 seasons; 71 career touchdowns are most in team history; second-most rushing yards (5,088) and fourth-most receptions (305) in team history.
• *CB Brian Kelly, No. 45 overall in 1997; 79 starts in 10 seasons; 22 career interceptions are seventh-most in team history.
• *G Cosey Coleman, No. 51 overall in 2000; 63 starts in five seasons.
• LB Barrett Ruud, No. 36 overall in 2005; 68 starts in six seasons; 585 tackles and six INTs.

*Denotes member of 2002 Super Bowl championship team

Best Third Round Picks

Much like the second round, the Bucs found many high-quality players in the third round, including two future Hall of Famers.

Notable third-round picks:

• WR Mark Carrier, No. 57 overall in 1987; played six seasons in Tampa Bay, tallying 321 receptions, 5,018 yards and 27 TDs, with 15 games of 100-plus receiving yards. He holds the team record in receiving yards and has the second-most receptions in team history.
• *S John Lynch, No. 82 overall in 1993; 132 starts over 11 seasons. His 23 career INTs are sixth-most in team history. Regarded as one of the fiercest hitters in NFL history.
• CB Donnie Abraham, No. 71 overall in 1996; 78 starts over six seasons; 31 career INTs are second-most in team history.
• *CB Ronde Barber, No. 66 overall in 1997; His 232 starts and 47 career INTs are most in team history; 28 career sacks ranks seventh-most in team history. He is the only player in NFL history to record 25-plus sacks and 40-plus INTs in a career. 
• G Frank Middleton, No. 63 overall in 1997; 50 career starts in four seasons with the Bucs.
• *K Martin Gramatica, No. 80 overall in 1999; made 137 of 179 attempts (76.5 percent) in six seasons with the Bucs; nicknamed "Automatica."

*Denotes member of 2002 Super Bowl championship team

Best Fourth Round Picks

Notable fourth-round picks:

• G Tony Mayberry, No. 108 overall in 1990; his 145 starts over 10 seasons are fourth-most in team history, behind Paul Gruber (183), Derrick Brooks (221) and Barber (232); played nine-consecutive seasons without missing a single start.
• WR Lawrence Dawsey, No. 66 overall in 1991; 41 career starts over five seasons; 206 receptions, 2,842 yards and five TDs.
• *S Dexter Jackson, No. 113 overall in 1999; 42 starts over six seasons with eight career INTs; Named MVP of Super Bowl XXXVII.
• WR Mike Williams, No. 101 overall in 2010; 47 starts in three seasons; 193 receptions, 2,731 yards and 23 TDs.

*Denotes member of 2002 Super Bowl championship team

Best of the Rest

Notable picks from the fifth round on:

• DT Chidi Ahanotu, No. 145 overall in 1993; 109 starts over nine seasons; his 34.5 sacks are fifth-most in team history.
• G Ian Beckles, No. 114 overall in 1990; 81 starts over seven seasons
• DT Santana Dotson, No. 132 overall in 1992; 36 starts and 23 sacks over four seasons.
• *S Jermaine Phillips, No. 157 overall in 2002; 74 starts and 11 INTs over eight seasons.
• DT David Logan, No. 307 overall in 1979; his 39 sacks are fourth-most in team. history, while his 624 tackles are 10th-most; played eight seasons in Tampa Bay.
• WR Gerald Carter, No. 240 overall in 1980; his 239 receptions are 10th-most in team history.

*Denotes member of 2002 Super Bowl championship team

By looking back at the draft classes of the last 40 years, one thing jumps out: the lack of quality mid-round picks over the last decade. Of the 23 players listed, only four were drafted after 2000.

So, what does that mean?

Well, for starters it explains why the Bucs have struggled as much as they have over the last few seasons. Without the quality depth needed to succeed, the Bucs have been dead in the water, so to speak.

Compare that to the 14 players listed who were drafted between 1990 and 1999. Is it any surprise then that the Bucs began to turnaround their franchise when they started drafting better?

The results speak for themselves.

All stats and records used are courtesy of Buccaneers.com. Draft year and positions courtesy of NFL.com.

You can also reach J.J. by e-mail at [e-mail]