The 10 Worst First Picks in Tampa History

With the draft approaching, an article by rivals.com gave me an idea. Who are the worst first picks in Tampa’s draft history? Simply put, who are the worst players that the Bucs have selected with their first overall pick in their draft history? Let’s take a look.

10. 1998-Jacquez Green, WR, Florida

This was a pick that they got from Oakland, and Green wasn’t selected until the second round. He started in two seasons, but never really had the size to be successful. In four years, he caught 157 passes for 2,217 yards and 7 touchdowns. He left the Bucs in 2002.

9. 1989-Broderick Thomas, LB, Nebraska

As the sixth overall pick, more was expected of Thomas. His highlight as a Buc was setting a record for sacks for linebackers in a single season. He recorded 461 tackles in 5 seasons before being released in 1993.

8. 1985-Ron Holmes, DE, Washington

The Bucs picked eight overall, and Holmes had to fill in the void left by Lee Roy Selmon. He was decent as a starter, but never quite lived up to that 8th pick status. He had 238 tackles over 4 seasons before getting traded to Denver in 1989.

7. 1996-Regan Upshaw, DE, California

Upshaw was never truly spectacular, and had to play on the same defensive line as Warren Sapp. He had 90 tackles and 18.5 sacks over four seasons, before being traded to Jacksonville in 1999.

6. 2001-Kenyatta Walker, T, Florida

The Bucs actually traded up with Buffalo to grab Walker. He started the majority of his six seasons, but had a bad attitude all around. While he had decent numbers, his injury and attitude problems caused the Bucs to release him after the 2006 season.

5. 1991-Charles McRae, T, Tennessee

The Bucs drafted seventh overall, and McRae never lived up to it. He spent five years in Tampa before signing with the Raiders in 1996.

4. 2002-Marquise Walker, WR, Michigan

The Bucs didn’t get a selection until the third round, where they picked up Walker. He broke his thumb a few months later, and was traded to the Cardinals in 2003. He never played a down for the Bucs.

3. 1993-Eric Curry, DE, Alabama

With the sixth pick in the draft, the Bucs grabbed an SEC alumni. Curry never became the pass-rusher that everyone expected him to be. He had 82 tackles and 12 sacks in five seasons before signing with Green Bay in 1998.

2. 1990-Keith McCants, LB, Alabama

The Bucs bypassed Junior Seau to grab McCants fourth overall. He couldn’t play linebacker or defensive end in the pros. He had 156 tackles and 12 sacks in three seasons with the Bucs. He was cut in camp in 1993, which led to a fight with Buc great Hardy Nickerson.

1. 1986-Bo Jackson, RB, Auburn

The worst, most wasted pick of them all. The Bucs knew about Jackson’s multi-sports efforts. However, with the first pick overall in the 1986 Draft, the Bucs took a chance on him. Unfortunately, he didn’t pan out. Jackson refused to play for the Bucs, and went to the MLB. He wound up getting drafted by the Raiders in 1987, providing a slap in the face for the Bucs, making him their worst first pick ever.