Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
4th round (101st overall) – Mike Williams – Wide Receiver – Syracuse
Williams was on track to be a top of the line prospect at the end of the 2009 season, but quit the Syracuse football team in November after violating team rules and being in the middle of plenty of controversy. He entered the draft anyways, and fell all the way to the fourth round, where the Buccaneers took a chance on him. Having already taken Benn, Williams was viewed as the wild card selection.
It turns out, Williams was the much better choice.
Mike has turned into a very dependable playmaker at wideout, with a great combination of size and athleticism. He’s a great fit with Josh Freeman, and will be the number two receiver in 2013 in what should be a very strong Buccaneer offense.
6th round (172nd overall) – Brent Bowden – Punter – Virginia Tech
Bowden was a very strong college punter for a great Hokies special teams unit. He didn’t pan out as an NFL punter, and despite chances with the Buccaneers and Jaguars, he wound up as the Punter for the UFL’s Virginia Destroyers.
7th round (210th overall) – Cody Grimm – Safety – Virginia Tech
The first pick of a surprisingly good seventh round for the Buccaneers, Grimm was brought in to be a special teams ace and depth at safety, despite being a linebacker in college. He got his chance right away, filling in for the suspended Tanard Jackson. He would be injured later on in 2010, and would also suffer an injury in 2011, and failed to see the field much in 2012, either. However, he’s a solid special teams player who can’t be counted out to make the roster in 2013.
7th round (217th overall) – Dekoda Watson – Linebacker – Florida State
Watson was an impact player for the Seminoles, leading the team in tackles for loss and sacks during his senior season. But weighing in at only 226 pounds, he looked unlikely to assume his same position at the professional level. That’s why it took so long for him to come off the board in the 2010 draft.
He will have the opportunity to fight for his college position this season, with the departure of Quincy Black. Watson might be one of the better pass rushers on the team, and is also a special teams ace for the Bucs.
7th round (253rd overall) – Erik Lorig – Defensive End – Stanford
Lorig started off at Stanford as a tight end, before changing over to the defensive side of the football, and showing fairly well as a defensive end. He would suffer an injury as a senior, and his draft stock would plummet. But it was his versatility that would attract the Buccaneers, who took Lorig with plans to use him on defense, but it was his blocking ability and athleticism as a receiver that earned him a roster spot. He will likely remain the Buccaneers starting full back in 2013, where he has been a tremendous value for the Bucs as one of the final players selected in the 2010 draft.