The 2008 Buccaneer draft review
An additional 5th round pick came from Jacksonville in a
swop of 2nd round picks. This was then surrendered to
Chicago in a swop of 4th round picks but a 6th round pick
gained in return. An additional 7th round pick came from
New England in a swop of 5th round picks. A 6th round
pick was traded to Kansas City in 2007 for RB Michael
Bennett. A 7th round pick was traded to Denver for QB Jake Plummer. The Bucs
picked 20th in the first round and then 21st and 20th henceforth.
DRAFT ANALYSIS - Talib and Zuttah were both excellent picks in terms of on-
field production and Johnson and Hayes were excellent later round selections
but the horrendous reach on Dexter Jackson will remain one of the worst picks
in franchise history.
Aqib Talib
Dexter Jackson
Jeremy Zuttah
Dre Moore
Josh Johnson
Geno Hayes
1 - CB - Aqib Talib - Kansas
One of the poster boys for franchise bad behaviour with an off-season rap sheet for misdemeanours and arrests before the Bucs finally tired
of his antics and traded him to New England in October 2012. On the field he was one of the best cover corners the franchise has ever had
but the price for such talent was too high to pay.
2 - WR/KR- Dexter Jackson - Appalachian State
Will go down as one of the biggest draft busts in franchise history after failing to have a single NFL reception in his seven games before
being released in training camp 2009. Did not even adapt to the NFL style of returning kicks in spite of taking a punt back for a touchdown in
the final pre-season game in Houston.
3 - G - Jeremy Zuttah - Rutgers
Started at a variety of offensive line positions during his six seasons with the Buccaneers but was deemed surplus to requirements by a new
coaching staff and was traded to the Baltimore Ravens in March 2014.
4 - DT - Dre Moore - Maryland
Spent the entire 2008 season on the practice squad but made it on to the active roster throughout 2009 but without having much of an
impact in the process. Did not make the 2010 team out of training camp.
5 - QB - Josh Johnson - San Diego
Spent two and a half seasons as the Bucs' No.2 but did start four games in 2009. Also saw a fair amount of time as a wildcat QB and deep
receiving threat but never actually caught a pass. Left Tampa Bay as a free agent in March 2012 and went on to be a back-up for over a
dozen teams over the next 10 years.
6 - LB - Geno Hayes - Florida State
Spent three seasons as the starting weakside linebacker but his play fell off during his final season in 2011 and hence was allowed to leave
as a free agent after that campaign. Went on to play a year with Chicago and then started 14 games in 2013 for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
7 - RB - Cory Boyd - South Carolina
Was injured between the draft and the start of training camp so never actually suited up for the Buccaneers at any time.
7 - Traded to Kansas City for Michael Bennett
Spent parts of two seasons with the Bucs but was nothing more than a back-up who only saw real playing time at the tail end of the 2007
season when many of the starters were being rested ahead of the playoffs.
7 - Traded to Denver for Jake Plummner
Looked to be a good deal on paper but Plummer decided to retire from the NFL completely so turned out to be a wasted pick. The Bucs did
sue get a portion of his signing bonus back though.
Cory Boyd
