By With the draft quickly approaching, it’s time to look at the 50 years of draft choices from the Buccaneers. There have been studs such as Ronde Barber, Warren Sapp, and Mike Evans picked in the first round, as well as duds such as Bo Jackson and Vernon Hargraves.
In this article, I will break down what I think are the ten worst draft picks in Buccaneers history. Everyone will have a different list, but this is the Tampa Bay Sports Journal’s top ten list.
10. Eric Curry-Linebacker
As the sixth pick in the 1993 NFL draft, Curry never quite lived up to expectations. Over five seasons, Curry had 12 sacks in Tampa, averaging just over 2.5 per season.
Curry battled injuries throughout his career, and he was never the player in the NFL that we saw in college at Alabama.
Played five seasons with the Buccaneers.
9. Keith McCants-Linebacker
He was the 4th overall pick in the 1990 draft, but he never became the difference-maker and never lived up to expectations as the 4th overall pick.
His best season in Tampa was 1992, when he recorded 58 tackles and had five sacks.
Played three seasons in Tampa.
8. Josh Freeman-Quarterback
Taken in round one of the 2009 draft with the 17th pick.
Showed promise early, then developed accuracy issues and some off-field concerns.
Freeman had one good season in Tampa in 2010, when he led the Bucs to a 10-6 record, passing for 25 touchdowns against six interceptions.
Freeman finished his career in Tampa with a 24-35 win-loss record, with 80 touchdown passes and 67 interceptions.
7. Gaines Adams-Defensive End
Adams was taken with the 4th pick in the 2007 draft out of Clemson and never lived up to his top-five billing.
Managed just 13.5 sacks during his three years with Tampa.
The great Monte Kiffin was the Bucs’ defensive coordinator at the time, and he could not help Adams with his game and technique.
6. Vernon Hargreaves III-Cornerback
Taken with the 11th overall pick in the 2016 draft, Hargreaves was expected to be a lockdown corner, but that never materialized.
Hargreaves struggled badly in coverage and tackling.
He was cut mid-season in 2019.
5. Regan Upshaw-Defensive End
Upshaw was selected as the No. 12 overall pick in 1996.
In three seasons with Tampa, Upshaw recorded 92 tackles and 18.5 sacks, an underwhelming total for a top-12 pick.
Hall of Famers Eddie George, Marvin Harrison, and Ray Lewis were all selected after Upshaw.
4. Noah Spence-Second-round pick in 2016 from Eastern Kentucky.
Flashed potential as a rookie, but was hampered by injuries and never became a consistent contributor.
Registered 34 tackles in 3 seasons with 6.5 sacks.
3. Roberto Aguayo, Kicker, Florida State
One of the greatest kickers in college, he could never replicate that success in the NFL.
The most damning thing about the Aguayo pick was that the Buccaneers traded up into the second round to acquire Aguayo.
Aguayo lasted just one season, making just 71 percent of his kicks.
2. Vinny Testaverde-Quarterback, Miami
The No. 1 pick in the 1987 NFL draft, the Buccaneers thought they were getting a franchise quarterback who would lead the Bucs for the next 10 years.
In his first full season with the Buccaneers in 1988, Testaverde threw 35 interceptions.
Testaverde threw 77 interceptions in five seasons with Tampa and never became the quarterback the team desperately needed.
1. Bo Jackson-Running Back, Auburn
Tampa selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in 1986, even though Jackson had said he would never play for the Bucs.
Jackson chose baseball over signing with Tampa and never played a down for the Buccaneers, making it one of the worst NFL draft picks and the worst in the history of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
