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Buccaneers’ Top Ten Moments Of 2016

By Bailey Adams

Nov 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; A view of an official Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmet on the sidelines at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won 36-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; A view of an official Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmet on the sidelines at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won 36-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Noah Spence (57) strips the ball from Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) in the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Noah Spence (57) strips the ball from Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) in the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 10- Vernon Hargreaves, Noah Spence drafted

The 2015 draft was monumental for the Buccaneers. It netted them their next quarterback, who is now destined to become the face of the franchise for years to come. The 2016 draft was a big deal as well, as it included a couple of selections that will shape the Tampa Bay defense for years to come.

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Vernon Hargreaves III (Florida) is selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the number eleven overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Vernon Hargreaves III (Florida) is selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the number eleven overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

The Bucs traded their no. nine overall pick to the Bears, dropping two spots back while receiving a bonus fourth-round selection. At no. 11, general manager Jason Licht drafted who he wanted all along: Vernon Hargreaves. The cornerback out of the University of Florida became the next building block for a Buccaneer defense that was coming off of a difficult year. It instantly added help to a secondary that badly needed it.

On the next night of the draft, Licht addressed another significant need for his defense. With the 39th overall pick, he selected Noah Spence. The defensive end with a knack for getting after the quarterback seemed like a steal at the time, and he has only confirmed those thoughts after one season.

Hargreaves went on to rack up 76 tackles (68 solo), a forced fumble, an interception and nine passes defended. Spence came on stronger as time passed, finishing the year with five and a half sacks and three forced fumbles. With their first two selections of the 2016 draft, the Bucs got two guys that will play key roles in their defense for a long time to come.

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