As we steamroll toward the 2012 NFL draft, we take a brief look back into the annals of Buccaneer history to provide you the best and worst of the previous Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafts. These opinions are of the article's author and not intended to represent the consensus of all the staff of Buc Nation.
Throughout the history of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there have been just some terrible misses in the NFL draft. Many of these occurred between 1980-94 when the franchise was mired in one of the worst runs in sports history. A lot of them occurred in the 2nd or 3rd round - which is as far back in the draft as we wanted to go to consider a bust (after all, if a 5th round pick doesn't amount to much, it's not really a bust - just a waste).
Of all of these bad apples, these are the ten I feel have been the worst picks in Franchise history.
List: 10 Worst Draft picks in Buccaneers History
Previously Listed:
10. Kenyatta Walker, 1st round, pick 14, 2001
9. Dexter Jackson, WR, 2nd round, pick 27, 2008
8. Dan Sileo, DT, 3rd Round, Supplemental, 1987
7. Charles McRae, T, 1st round, pick 7, 1991
6. Rod Jones, CB, 1st Round, pick 25, 1986
Player: Gaines Adams
Position: DE
Ranking: 5th
Draft: 1st round, pick 4, 2007
It almost felt like the Bucs selected Gaines Adams out of disappointment. Certainly, Jon Gruden coveted the dynamic playmaking skills of Calvin Johnson, but when GM Bruce Allen failed to put together a deal that would move the Bucs into position for Johnson, Tampa Bay was left with a decision.
Bucs legendary defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin was pushing for help on defense and Adams was the highest rated defensive player on the board. Despite the fact future Pro Bowlers Adrian Peterson, Patrick Willis and Darrelle Revis were selected shortly after him, the Bucs settled and tried to satisfy Kiffin with Adams.
If it wasn't so sad it might have been a little funny watching Gruden feign smiles and lie through his lips that Adams was the guy they wanted all along.
Credibility was never Jon Gruden's strongsuit.
Adams never lived up to his fourth overall billing, playing too soft and not having any technique as a pass rusher. In college, he would just run by the slower, plodding offensive tackles he'd face. He had no such luck in the National Football League, where every player is the best at what they do.
Adams never achieved more than six sacks in a season and was traded to Chicago for a second round pick at the trade deadline of 2009.
Tragically, Adams passed away from a heart ailment in January 2010. The second round pick eventually brought Tampa Bay wide receiver Arrelious Benn.