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Buccaneers: The Five Best Trades in Team History

By Jerry Stalheim

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 13: Tampa Bay Buccaneers flags are carried on the field after a touchdown during the first half of the game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on December 13, 2015 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 13: Tampa Bay Buccaneers flags are carried on the field after a touchdown during the first half of the game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on December 13, 2015 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images) /
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1. Cornerstones of the Greatest Defense in Buccaneers History – 1995

On the eve of the 1995 draft the Bucs had seven total draft picks with their first one being pick seven in the first round.

Prior to the draft the Eagles wanted to move up from pick twelve, so the Bucs decided they could still get the defensive player they wanted at twelve and agreed to a trade.

First Trade: the Philadelphia Eagles traded their 1995 first round pick (#12) and two second round (#43 & #63) picks to the Tampa for their 1995 first round pick (#7) and third round pick (#72).

With pick #12 the Bucs selected defensive tackle out of the University of Miami Warren Sapp.

As the first round was ending the Bucs made their second trade: sending two (#41 & #63) of their three second round picks (#41, #43, and #63) that they now had to the Dallas Cowboys for their first round pick (#28).

With pick #28 Tampa selected linebacker out of Florida State University Derrick Brooks.

Warren Sapp was the edgy “three-technique” defensive tackle that the Bucs were looking for. Playing nine seasons in Tampa he compiled 400 tackles and 77 sacks which is second all time in Bucs history, and he was selected to seven straight Pro Bowls from 1997-2003. In 1999 was selected as the Defensive Player of the Year.

As a major force on the defensive line he was a major part of the Bucs dominating defense that helped them win the 2002 Super Bowl and was known as the mouthpiece of the team.

In 2013 he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and had his “99” retired as a member of the Bucs Ring of Honor.

Derrick Brooks was the all everything linebacker on the Bucs defense who was also a leader of the defense and won Defensive Player of the Year during the 2002 Super Bowl winning season.

He had some amazing statistical totals during his fourteen year Bucs career, totaling 1,710 tackles (first in franchise history), 13.5 sacks, 25 interceptions, seven defensive touchdowns, was selected to the Pro Bowl eleven times, and didn’t miss a game for thirteen straight seasons.

In 2014 he like Sapp received his Gold Jacket as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and also had his “55” retired as a member of the Bucs Ring of Honor. Some call him the face of the franchise.

In the 1995 draft GM Rich McKay found two of the best Bucs ever and two of the team’s three Hall of Famers, and he did so in the first round of the same draft which is amazing.

Next: Has Gerald McCoy had Enough?

Those are my selections of top five trades in Bucs history hope you enjoy them and feel free to give me your input in the comments section or contact me on Twitter @ND1Bucsfan.

Now who’s ready to enjoy some training camp fun? So all of the #StickCarrier be sure to be United at training camp and enjoy the show and as always GO BUCS!!!

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