The 2013 NFL Draft has come and gone, and now it’s time for some reflection. While some teams traded around to get who they want, others stood pat to see who would slide to them — and if there’s one thing to remember about this draft it’s players that slid around the rounds. But now that the draft is behind us, the all important grading phase has begun, so lets take a look at how the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did in this year’s NFL Draft.
Draft Picks
- (43) Johnthan Banks, db, Mississippi State
- (73) Mike Glennon, qb, N.C. State
- (100) Akeem Spence, dt, Illinois
- (126) William Gholston, de, Michigan State
- (147) Steven Means, de, Buffalo
- (189) Mike James, rb, Miami.
Best Pick: Johnthan Banks, CB/Mississippi State
Banks was being mocked to the Bucs in the first round as recently as a month ago, but after trading their first-round pick, the Buccaneers still managed to get him in the second round without having to move up. Banks will come in and be the Bucs No. 2 cornerback and will eventually be part of a deadly duo with Darrelle Revis.
Worst Pick: William Gholston, DE/Michigan State
The Buccaneers got rid of Kellen Winslow, Aqib Talib and LeGarrette Blount for pennies after they proved to be problem children. Gholston’s main highlight from college was punching a Michigan player in the jaw during a game with his helmet still on. Everything about that drips with stupidity and the Bucs better know what they’re doing with this one.
Analysis: The Buccaneers put together one of the best drafts this year, and that says a lot considering they didn’t have a first-round pick. Darrelle Revis will be huge for them, Johnthan Banks is going to be a monster and Akeem Spence will plug a huge hole in the middle of the defensive line. There were some misses, but the Bucs drafted brilliantly this year, which bodes well for their future.
2013 Draft Grade: A-