The 2005 Buccaneer draft review
The additional 3rd and 7th round picks from San Diego
came in the Keenan McCardell trade. The additional 5th
round pick from San Diego came in the Roman Oben
trade. The additional 7th round pick from the NY Giants
came in the Jason Whittle trade. A 6th round pick was
traded to Cleveland for QB Luke McCown.
DRAFT ANALYSIS - The selection of Cadillac was a good
one as no-one could have forseen the two terrible knee injuries
he would suffer down the road. Hits on both Ruud and Smith
followed and Buenning was a useful player in his first season
as a Buccaneer. The trade for McCown was a pretty good one too. Had Cadillac stayed healthy, it would
have been a super draft class.
Carnell Williams
Barrett Ruud
Alex Smith
Chris Colmer
Donte Nicholson
Anthony Bryant
1 - RB - Carnell Williams - Auburn
Named Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2005 and set an NFL record with over 400 yards in his first three games. His second season was
hampered by a lack of a passing offense around him and then suffered a pair of crippling knee injuries to further set back his career before
returning in 2009 for two more seasons in the Buccaneer backfield.
2 - LB - Barrett Ruud - Nebraska
Spent two seasons waiting his turn behind Shelton Quarles at middle linebacker but once he got the chance to start, showed that he was
every bit worth the high draft pick. Always made a ton of tackles but most of them seemed to be yards behind the line of scrimmage. Moved
on after the 2010 season.
3 - TE - Alex Smith - Stanford
Another excellent offensive selection as he scored twice on his NFL debut and started 10 games in making 41 receptions for over 300 yards
during the season. Seemed to plateau a little after his rookie campaign but was a solid receiver and blocker for the Buccaneers.
3 - T - Chris Colmer - N.Carolina State
Was a gameday inactive in every game as a rookie but then had a recurrence of Parsonage-Turner Syndrome in the 2006 off-season and
spent the entire year on Injured Reserve before being released the following spring. Sadly died in 2010 at the age of 30.
4 - G - Dan Buenning - Wisconsin
Started every game as a rookie at left guard and saw most of Cadillac Williams' yards come from his left side behind himself and Anthony
Davis. Named to every All-Rookie team and started for the 2006 season to until being placed on injured reserve with a knee problem. Never
regained a starting role for the team and was traded to Chicago prior to the start of the 2008 season.
5 - S - Donte Nicholson - Oklahoma
Played in nine games as a rookie primarily on special teams but did also see some action in the defensive backfield in the road game in
Atlanta. Was released in the 2006 pre-season but re-signed late in the year when injury hit the defensive depth and repeated the trick in both
2007 and 2008.
5 - WR - Larry Brackins - Pearl River CC
Did not make the final roster but was re-signed to the practice squad where he remained all season. Was released the following pre-season.
6 - DT - Anthony Bryant - Alabama
Big run-stuffing defensive tackle who played in three of the first four games as a rookie but then only one other as he was named a gameday
inactive the rest of the time. Was on the practice squad for the entire 2006 season.
7 - WR - Paris Warren - Utah
Was inactive for each of the first five games and then waived before being re-signed to the practice squad. Made the 2006 roster and saw
action in eight games as a fourth receiver before getting hurt in the 2007 pre-season just when it seemed he had a chance to become a
useful NFL receiver.
7 - S - Hamza Abdullah
Did not make the team out of camp but was signed by the Denver Broncos during the season and played in one regular season game and
both playoff encounters for the AFC team on special teams.
7 - FB - Rick Razzano - Mississippi
Was on the transactions list almost every week as he moved between the main roster and practice squad frequently having been suspended
for the first month of the year for steroid use at college. Actually only saw action in one regular season game.
7 - WR - JR Russell - Louisville
Was inactive for each of the first 11 games and then waived before being re-signed to the practice squad. Did not make the 2006 team out of
Paris Warren
Dan Buenning
