1. Derrick Brooks – LB – 1995 – 1st Round (28th Overall)
The Bucs’ 1995 draft will go down as one of the best team drafts in the history of the NFL. Although only 2 players from that draft contributed substantially in the league, those 2 players were Derrick Brooks and Warren Sapp – both almost guaranteed to be first ballot Hall of Famers.
Entering his 15th season with the Bucs, Brooks has never missed a game – 224 and counting. And despite that many games on his resume, Brooks is still considered one of the best outside linebackers in the game. He has been selected to 11 Pro Bowls (and was the MVP in 2006) and 9 All-Pro teams.
Brooks had his best season in 2002 when he won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year and then returned an interception for a touchdown in the Bucs’ Super Bowl victory. Only 3 other players in NFL history have been named to at least 10 Pro Bowls, been awarded the Defensive Player of the Year, and won a Super Bowl – Mike Singletary, Lawrence Taylor, and Reggie White (all currently in the Hall of Fame). Not bad company for Brooks to be in.
2. Lee Roy Selmon – DE – 1976 – 1st Round (1st Overall)
3. Warren Sapp – DT – 1995 – 1st Round (12th Overall)
4. John Lynch – S – 1993 – 3rd Round (82nd Overall)
5. Ronde Barber – CB – 1997 – 3rd Round (66th Overall)
6. Mike Alstott – RB – 1996 – 2nd Round (35th Overall)
7. Warrick Dunn – RB – 1997 – 1st Round (12th Overall)
8. Paul Gruber – T – 1988 – 1st Round (4th Overall)
9. James Wilder – RB – 1981 – 2nd Round (34th Overall)
10. Doug Williams – QB – 1979 – 1st Round (17th Overall)