Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 3 biggest draft steals in franchise history

3. John Lynch, third round, 1993

The Buccaneers landed an icon of their team in the third round of the 1993 draft in safety John Lynch. The Pro Bowl safety will be forever remembered by his waffle iron facemask and by his fearlessness when it came to laying the big hit, and to get him with just a third round pick makes his accomplishments even more astounding.

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Throughout his 15 year career in the NFL, Lynch played 11 seasons in Tampa Bay for the Buccaneers before finishing his career out in Denver and retiring after the 2007 season. Lynch was the starting safety for the latter eight years for the Buccaneers, and in that span was named as an All-Pro twice and a Pro Bowler five other times.

Even after leaving Tampa Bay, Lynch made the Pro Bowl in the final four years of his career with the Broncos. After retiring as a player, Lynch decided he was not done and has continued his legacy as the general manager of the San Francisco 49ers.

A player who started out as just a third round pick, Lynch is now recognized as one of the best safeties in the game to even strap up a helmet. How sweet that he played his most successful seasons in the pewter and red.