Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 30 greatest players in franchise history

Although Tampa Bay has lacked talent at the quarterback position throughout their history, they have produced some very good running backs over the years. One of the best to do it in Tampa Bay was Warrick Dunn. A 12th overall draft selection out of Florida State University, Dunn stayed close to home and tore it up in the NFL.

Dunn had two separate stints in Tampa Bay, totaling six seasons. He also spent six seasons with the NFC South rival Atlanta Falcons, bringing his NFL career to 12 seasons. This is quite impressive for a running back.

Playing past the age of 30 is rare, but being productive after that mark is unheard of. Dunn played until the age of 33 and recorded 1,116 all-purpose yards in 2008, the final season of his career with the Buccaneers in 2008.

In Tampa Bay history, Dunn is third overall with 4,986 rushing yards. He only trails Mike Alstott and James Wilder, who will both appear later on this list. In NFL history, Dunn is top-25 in all-purpose yards with 15,665, higher than guys like Randy Moss and Larry Fitzgerald.

Add in that Dunn is one of a select few to have rushed for 10,000-plus yards and record 500-plus receptions in his career, he should find himself in the Pro Football Hall of Fame some day. Although he holds more records for the Falcons, Dunn was incredible for the Buccaneers as well.

He is undoubtedly deserving of a high rank on this list, but having more success in Atlanta drops him a bit here. Perhaps if Dunn hadn’t left one season prior to the 2002 Super Bowl championship, he would have slid into the top-15?