Buccaneers: Five Best First Round Picks in Franchise History

4. Warrick Dunn

Warrick Dunn was drafted number 12 overall in the 1997 draft. At 5’9″, 180 pounds, some believed that Dunn was too small to make a significant impact in the NFL. Boy were they wrong. He stormed the scene in 1997 with back to back 100 yard performances in weeks two and three. His 24 carry, 130 yard performance against the Detroit Lions helped his team to a 24-17 win, and himself to a Pro Bowl selection. That year, Dunn finished with 978 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. He was a strong threat in the passing game as well, catching 39 passes for 462 yards and three touchdowns.

His first 1,000 yard rushing season came in 1998, when he racked up 1,026 yards on 245 carries and two touchdowns. He also upped his receiving number from 39 catches to 44. In 1999 he dropped his career high in receptions (64) and receiving yards (589). His second Pro Bowl appearance with the Bucs came in the year 2000 when he rushed for a career high 1,133 yards and eight touchdowns. The following year was the end of his first stint with the Bucs. That year, Dunn’s rushing yards took a hit, but his receiving totals were solid, with 68 catches for 557 yards and three touchdowns.

After six years with the Falcons, Dunn returned to Tampa Bay for his final NFL season. He posted 786 rushing yards and 330 receiving yards on 47 catches. He may not have been big, but he was fast and dominant. In six years with the Bucs over his two stints, he ran the ball 1,256 times for 4,986 yards and 19 touchdowns. He added 306 pass receptions for 2,704 yards and nine touchdowns.