Buccaneers: Five Best Third Round Draft Choices in Franchise History

2. John Lynch

We all know that the real resurrection of the Tampa defense began in 1995 with the selections of Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks. That’s when they began their giant leaps towards what would end up becoming a Super Bowl championship. Despite that, however, there is one guy that was here to see it all through. One guy saw it build up from the ruins into one of the most dominant units in league history.

His name is John Lynch.

Lynch was selected in the third round of the 1993 draft. It took him a couple of years to work his way into the starting lineup, but once he did, he made it his own. Specifically, he became the guy that changed the safety position. There is an expression in baseball about a guy being a “five tool” player. It means that he can do it all, run, hit, throw…etc. If that term was appropriate for anyone, it was appropriate for John Lynch.

He could get after the quarterback. He could come up and make a play against the run. He could intercept a pass when called upon. Boy, could he level a hit or what? Remember…

Aren’t memories just grand? “Hitman 47” was a well-earned moniker. He could terrorize any player that came his way.

Why is he not in the Hall of Fame? You already know that we don’t get it. Hopefully he is part of the 2018 class. Lynch will certainly hold a special place in the hearts of Bucs fans everywhere.