Buccaneers: Five Best First Round Picks in Franchise History

1. Warren Sapp

If you ask the fans in New York, this guy should have been a member of the Jets, not the Bucs. Warren Sapp was the 12th overall pick in the 1995 draft. The New York Jets held the ninth pick, and everyone knew they were looking for an edge rusher. Radio City Music Hall was lined with Jets fans chanting, “We want Sapp!”. Fortunately for the Bucs, Kyle Brady was the Jets choice, and Sapp made it all the way to number 12, and the rest was history.

He started eight games in 1995, notching three sacks and 27 total tackles. He recorded that first sack in his debut against the Philadelphia Eagles. Sapp became the full-time starter in 1996 and didn’t relinquish the position until he left Tampa to head to Oakland after the 2003 season. During his time in Tama, Sapp posted at least ten sacks on three separate occasions, including a 16.5 sack performance in 2000. That year, he posted more than one sack on four separate occasions, including a three sack performance in a win over the Detroit Lions.

Sapp was selected to the Pro Bowl every year from 1997-2003 and was named first team All-Pro four straight times (1999-2002). His 77 sacks rank him at the top of the list in franchise history. In the run to the Super Bowl title, Sapp notched 1.5 sacks, including one in the Super Bowl against the Oakland Raiders. For his career, he posted 5.5 sacks in the playoffs.

Next: Grading the 2016 Free Agent Class

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