The Pewter Plank
FanSided

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Re-drafting the historically bad 2016 NFL Draft

By Cory Kinnan

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: Vernon Hargreaves III of Florida holds up a jersey after being picked #11 overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: Vernon Hargreaves III of Florida holds up a jersey after being picked #11 overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 8
Next
NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 24: Michael Thomas of the New Orleans Saints is tackled by Brent Grimes #24 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 24, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 24: Michael Thomas of the New Orleans Saints is tackled by Brent Grimes #24 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 24, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

Round 2, Pick 39: Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State

Original Selection: Noah Spence, EDGE, Northern Kentucky

With their first of two second round selections, the Buccaneers took edge rusher Noah Spence out of Northern Kentucky. Spence was considered as a fringe first rounder and getting him in the second round seemed like a steal at the time of his selection. However, Spence has only started six games in three years and has only recorded six-and-a-half sacks on his career.

Spence was also benched by former defensive coordinator Mike Smith last season and recorded just three tackles in 2018. Still on the board at the time of Spence’s selection was All-Pro receiver of the division rival Saints, Michael Thomas out of Ohio State; ironically enough a former teammate of Spence before he was dismissed from the team.

While Spence has struggled thus far in his career, Thomas has been named to two Pro Bowls and been named an All-Pro once through his first three seasons in the NFL. He has recorded a total of 321 catches already (two seasons with over 100 catches) for nearly 3,800 yards and 23 touchdowns for the Saints.

Spence has one more year to prove he belongs in Tampa Bay as he is in his contract year. If defensive coordinator Todd Bowles cannot get the best out of him, then maybe nobody can.

Home/Bucs Draft