Buccaneers: The Last Five Selections at Their Current Spot, Number 19
2012: Shea McClellin
Back in 2012, the Bears looked to commandeer help off of the edge by selecting Shea McClellin with the 19th overall pick. He was quite the active player in college (per Sports Reference), posting 130 tackles, 33 for loss and 20.5 sacks. His draft profile listed these strengths and weaknesses:
"Strengths McClellin is a strong player inside for the Broncos who uses good leverage to get under heavier offensive linemen and jolt them back in their stance. He is aggressive, stout, and can hold off linemen and smother tight ends at the point of attack. He has no problem tackling and is a good pass rusher. Weaknesses McClellin will have a tough time convincing teams, even though he has been productive, to take a shot on him early in the draft because of his size. He has displayed enough athletic ability for teams to consider him at outside backer, but he could stand to lose weight as he enters the next level."
He showed excellent speed at the Combine, running the forty yard dash in 4.6 seconds. McClellin spent the first four years of his career in Chicago with modest success. His sack totals peaked with four in 2013 and his career high in tackles came in 2016 when he posted 71. He earned his way into the lineup, however, starting 21 of his final 24 games in a Bears uniform.
McClellin signed with the Patriots prior to the 2016 season and played a depth role with the Super Bowl champs. He now holds the record for the longest fumble return in franchise history during a win over the Dolphins (69 yards). He posted 39 tackles, two fumble recoveries and a sack for Bill Belichick’s squad.
Overall, the position has been very offensive line heavy over the past five years. It’s interesting that not a single offensive skilled position player has been taken. Might the Bucs change that with Dalvin Cook? Only time will tell, if they even stay at number 19.