10 Biggest Bucs Draft Steals In The Past 10 Seasons

Last month, ESPN went through the 50 biggest NFL draft steals of the past decade (ESPN+ subscription required). On the list, however, they failed to include one Buccaneer in the rankings, although Ryan Jensen (drafted by the Ravens) and Chris Godwin were on the “Who just missed?” list.

This topic begs an interesting question; who are the biggest Bucs draft steals using the same rules?

For this exercise, I follow most of their guidelines in not including first-rounders and 2023 draft picks. Apologies to Mike Evans, Vita Vea, and Tristan Wirfs. All players from the 2013 to 2022 Bucs’ drafts were considered.

Also, if you would like to see a more in-depth evaluation of recent Bucs’ draft classes and each pick’s relative hit rate, Josh Queipo and I did a series on this earlier this offseason.

Let’s begin:

1. WR Chris Godwin

Drafted: Pick No. 84 in 2017 Draft

While Chris Godwin was snubbed from ESPN’s list, he ranks first here among his fellow Bucs. Since being taken in the third round in 2017, Godwin has already become the second-best receiver in team history to Mike Evans through his first six seasons.

In the timespan, he has 5,666 receiving yards, with three 1000-yard seasons on his resume. Godwin has proved to be a versatile, do-it-all threat that can cause havoc in the screen game, in the slot, and lined up outside.

Having just turned 27, he has plenty of time to continue establishing himself as one of the best receivers in the league. By the time it is said and done, he may very well be one of the most underrated wideouts in the days of highlight-reel players at his position.

2. S Antoine Winfield Jr.

Drafted: Pick No. 45 in 2020 Draft

Tampa Bay did well by selecting the two best players they could have in going on to win the Super Bowl in 2020. Taking Antoine Winfield Jr. was a big part of it.

Winfield has helped to solidify the secondary both then and now alongside other young Bucs’ defensive backs. Through three seasons, he has shown to be a swiss-army knife through his coverage abilities, blitzing (nine career sacks), and lining up as the primary nickel back last season.

There is volatility at every position, but finding elite defensive backs is hard. Especially ones who can play within Todd Bowles’ defense. Already in his short career, Winfield is one of the best at his position. Alongside Tristan Wirfs, both have “anchored” key positions on the field immediately.

If Winfield can avoid the injury bug, he is well on the way to emulating his father in having a long, productive NFL career.

3. OG Ali Marpet

Drafted: Pick No. 61 in 2015 Draft

Someone who did have a productive NFL career is Ali Marpet. Although he retired after the 2021 season at the age of 28, no one can question the impact he had along the offensive line.

Marpet started the majority of seven seasons, appearing in 101 games total. He saved his best campaign for last, being a Pro Bowl nod in 2021.

His fun-loving personality has been missed, but general manager Jason Licht said it best following his retirement. “It has been one of my greatest professional thrills to see his rapid ascension from a small college standout into one [of] the NFL’s best all-around offensive linemen.”

Licht went into uncharted waters by taking Marpet from a D-III school. But it proved to be an incredible find, and in Buccaneer terms, an act of piracy that rivals Sir Francis Drake’s days of conquest.

4. CB Jamel Dean

Drafted: Pick No. 94 in 2019 Draft

Jamel Dean does not like to make a scene, but he put on quite the show last season in his contract year. In doing so, he played his way into a new contract and put a stamp on his status as a draft steal.

The counting stats do not do Dean justice. Although his two interceptions in 2022 did not jump off the page, his coverage abilities did. There were questions heading into the season on if he could beat Sean Murphy-Bunting for the outside cornerback spot opposite of Carlton Davis III, and he answered them convincingly.

Dean gets the slight nod on this list over Davis for being taken later in the draft and proving to be equally effective. They have paired up since their college days, and also line up nicely with each other as quality finds.

5. CB Carlton Davis III

Drafted: Pick No. 63 in 2018 Draft

Carlton Davis III, at the time of this article, has recently made it clear that he bows to no man. This chip-on-his-shoulder mentality has been instilled into him since he was a kid, but five seasons into his NFL career, he has grown into a No. 1 cornerback for the Bucs.

Davis had his biggest season in 2020, and it is no coincidence that his play helped lead the team to the Lombardi trophy. He parlayed his tenacity of making plays into a second contract, and it is evident that he is far from making his presence known on a more national scale.

It is no secret to those that watch the Bucs that Davis is a well-rounded defensive back. From being a sure tackler to his hard-nosed coverage, he has been a consistent player week in and week out since first donning the red and pewter.

While the next step will be piling up more turnovers, Davis has already proven to be well worth his second-round selection. As the season approaches, opposing receivers — in practice or on Sundays — will not be looking forward to matching up against someone as hungry and physical as him.

6. OT Donovan Smith

Drafted: Pick No. 34 in 2015 Draft

Fans may have soured on Donovan Smith after last season, a year in which he had his share of struggles. In 13 games, he was called for 12 total penalties.

But it is a disservice not to mention his high points as well. As an eight-year starter, Smith held down the fort on the blindside.

He continued to trend upward throughout his tenure up to last season, with his level of play increasing as the Bucs added high-end talent on offense. 2021 was his highest-graded season — 83.3 per Pro Football Focus — and he was a big part of the offensive line’s success.

While he did not have a storybook ending in Tampa Bay, Smith had an overall productive Bucs career as a player who flashed near Pro-Bowl caliber play.

7. DL Will Gholston

Drafted: Pick No. 126 in 2013 Draft

The oldest player on this list (32 on July 31st), Will Gholston has been with the Bucs for a decade. Throughout his time in Tampa Bay, he has seen the highs and lows of the franchise.

While the question remains whether he will rejoin the team for another season, one cannot question his status and impact.

Gholston has never been a star, but rather a role player who has served the role of a mentor and a great locker-room presence. He has had respectable, consistent numbers. Over his ten seasons, he has tallied 401 combined tackles, 19.5 sacks, 58 tackles for loss, and 77 quarterback hits.

For a day-two selection, an area of the draft where many players fail to last more than a couple of seasons, Gholston has been a relative steal.

8. S Jordan Whitehead

Drafted: Pick No. 117 in 2018 Draft

The last three players on this list did not see a second contract in Tampa Bay, but other teams rewarded them for their play. Slotting in here is Jordan Whitehead.

Whitehead was a plug-and-play starter in the secondary for four seasons, recording five interceptions in four seasons. He made plenty of big tackles in the secondary and was sure to get his hands on the ball to deflect passes.

After his best stretch of play in 2021, he turned that into a two-year, $14,500,000 deal with the Jets.

9. OG Alex Cappa

Drafted: Pick No. 94 in 2018 Draft

Licht found plenty of draft value in the 2018 draft. Not only did he select Carlton Davis III and Jordan Whitehead, but he also hit on another unheralded offensive lineman.

Alex Cappa was only a starter for three years, but he was a steady cog on one of the best offensive lines in football during his time as a Buccaneer. It’s fascinating to consider just how much the offensive line has changed in the two seasons following his departure.

Although he was injured during the team’s Super Bowl run and would go on to sign with the Bengals, Cappa makes the cut based on starting 46 games and developing into another successful small school find for Jason Licht.

10. S Mike Edwards

Drafted: Pick No. 99 in 2019 Draft

Last but not least is Mike Edwards. If there is one word to describe his play style, it would be ‘Ballhawk.’ In four seasons, Edwards had seven interceptions, three of which he brought to the house.

Yes, there is a strong argument to be made that he did not hit his ceiling as a playmaker. Last year was his first starting most of the games at safety, but he failed to take the next step up in production. He made splash plays, but there would also be stretches of games where he failed to make a wave.

Regardless, Edwards served his role well, being apt at making plays in a fill-in role before playing adequately as a starter.

Who Just Missed?

There are two players deserving of mention who could climb this list quickly with a productive season or two. At the moment, each misses the cut after only playing one season.

1. RB Rachaad White

Drafted: Pick No. 91 in 2022 Draft

Starting with Rachaad White, there is a lot about his game to like. He comes into this season with hype building around him after taking the reins in the Bucs’ running back room. Based on the circumstances surrounding him, his rookie year was an overall success.

As last season progressed, White began to see more of a share of carries as Leonard Fournette failed to amass more than 72 rushing yards in a game after Week 1.

From Week 10 on, he averaged roughly 11 carries and four targets a game. In that eight-game span, there are some reasons to believe that further success and progress are in the cards.

He averaged exactly four yards a carry and caught 90.9% of passes thrown his way. His ability to have respectable numbers in an archaic run scheme is one thing. But being so sure-handed in the receiving game is another.

The next step for him is becoming a 1,000-yard back. With Dave Canales directing the offense and Skip Peete leading the running back room, the environment could allow White to blossom and break out. Stay tuned.

2. TE Cade Otton 

Drafted: Pick No. 106 in 2022 Draft

Among all rookie tight ends in 2022, Cade Otton had the best start to his career. Despite splitting time with Cam Brate, Otton demonstrated the ability to move the chains and stretch the seam of the field.

Overall, he caught 42 passes for 391 yards and two touchdowns. With more emphasis on ball distribution, it is easy to see him increase these numbers further and grow into a top-10 to top-15 tight end.

But before all of this happens, development within the tight end room is key. Between Otton, Ko Kieft, and Payne Durham, it is the youngest group of tight ends in the NFL.

If Otton can emerge from them as the starter and build on his rookie year, it would serve him well for qualifying as a draft steal.