The Worst NFL Drafts From All 32 Teams Since the Year 2000
By Erik Lambert
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 2002
See? The same exact scenario as Seattle. Before 2002 the Tampa Bay Buccaneers enjoyed a solid run of good drafts, finding at least one or two able starters each year. Unfortunately their aggressive pushes to get more talent to complete the roster for a Super Bowl run hurt them in this draft. They didn’t have a 1st or 2nd round pick. Their lack of preparation for that scenario really showed as only one of the eight players they took ultimately did anything on the roster.
That was 5th rounder Jermaine Phillips who became a decent safety for five years but in no way made up for other misfires like Marquis Walker and Travis Stephens. Those two were such flops that they combined for one game played in the NFL. Just one. Stephens managed to catch a single pass for six yards. That was the extent of his contribution. It’s hard not to say that while Tampa won the Super Bowl that year, this draft began their slow demise afterwards.