Buccaneers: Five Best Defensive Backs of All Time

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Nov 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; A view of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers logo on the player tunnel’s cover at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won 36-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Brian Kelly

Brian Kelly was drafted by the Bucs in the second round of the 1998 draft. The early part of his career was spent in a backup role, but he began to take over in 2001. He started 11 games that year, and then broke out in 2002. The year of the Super Bowl title, Kelly led the league from his left cornerback position with eight interceptions. He also posted multiple interceptions twice that year, including the final game of the year in a shutout over the Bears.

During his career in Tampa, he started 79 out of 130 games, picking off 22 passes. He had one pick six to his credit, 75 passes defended, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He also recorded 387 tackles. He wasn’t known as a dominant force for his career, but here is an interesting side note. The Bucs had the opportunity to trade up in the draft that yielded Calvin Johnson. The catch was that Kelly needed to be part of the deal, and that turned out to be a deal breaker.

They wouldn’t part with Kelly, and that says quite a bit.

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