The Bucs had a pretty decent draft in 1999 with Booger, King, Gramatica and Jackson. After that its been pretty sad and it wasn't just the Gruden years. You can't judge 2018 yet of course. So my top 3 drafts from 2000 on:
1) 2015 Winston, Smith, Marpet, Alexander. Sure they got the 1st pick, but after that getting Marpet and Alexander in the middle of the draft is looking pretty good so far.
2) 2017 Howard, Evans, Godwin and Beckwith. After only one year this draft is already looking like the 2nd best, and that says more about how miserable the other drafts have been.
After that its tempting to say the rest are tied for last. But I'll pick ...
3) 2012 Barron, Martin, David, and Tandy. Barron didn't fit in very well here, but he's still contributing in the league. Martin and David were excellent picks and Tandy a good late round pick.
Tied for last: The rest.
1st round picks:
Kenyatta Walker - not so much,
Michael Clayton - unremarkable,
Cadillac Williams - all downhill,
Davin Joseph - OK but not writing home,
Gaines Adams- Bust.
Aqib Talib off the field problems,
Josh Freeman- Reservation for Rehab.
Gerald McCoy - Reservation for Ring of Honor.
Adrian Clayborn - Reservation for Injured Reserve.
Mark Baron - Drafted by wrong team apparently.
Doug Martin - 2 good years!...out of 6.
Mike Evans - Some drops and some dings, but a stud.
Jameis Winston - Frankly, the jury is still out.
Vernon Hargreaves - Even if he turns it around, he won't live up what a 7 pick should do.
OJ Howard - Looking like a good pick, but too soon to say if this "pans out".
So how many of the 15 1st round picks have met expectations of their draft status?
2 Jury out: Winston, Howard
3 Met/exceeded expectations: Evans McCoy, Joseph
10 Below Expectations: All the rest.
Grade for Bucs drafting year 2000 and beyond: F
