The 2010 Buccaneer draft review
The Bucs traded 2nd and 5th round picks to the Oakland
Raiders for a 2nd round pick. They traded two 7th round picks
to the Denver Broncos for a 2011 5th round pick. The additional
2nd round pick came from Chicago in the Gaines Adams' trade.
The Bucs' original 5th round pick went to Cleveland to complete
the Kellen Winslow trade. The additional 5th round pick came
from New England for TE Alex Smith. The additional 7th round
pick came from Jacksonville for QB Luke McCown.
DRAFT ANALYSIS - A real boom or bust draft with Gerald McCoy being one of the best
picks in franchise history and the selections of Mike Williams and Erik Lorig being
excellent together with the depth provided by Dekoda Watson and Cody Grimm. Myron
Lewis was a bust and both 2nd round picks had terrible injury problems with ruined their
chances of success. There really were no in-betweens with this draft.
Gerald McCoy
Brian Price
Arrelious Benn
Myron Lewis
Cody Grimm
Dekoda Watson
1 - DT - Gerald McCoy - Oklahoma
Was the heart and soul of the Buccaneer defense for nearly a decade and one of the finest players in franchise history. Had six straight Pro
Bowl selections from 2012-2017 and finished his Buc career 4th all-time in sacks. Was also a team leader off the field and several times was
the Bucs nomination for the Walter Payton Award. Was signed to the largest contract in franchise history when he extended his rookie deal
in 2014. Released in a salary cap move after the 2018 season and bounced around the NFL with injury issues before finally retiring in 2021.
2 - DT - Brian Price - UCLA
Was traded to the Bears before the start of training camp 2012. Had made an amazing comeback from a serious pelvic injury and started all
bar two games at defensive tackle in 2011. Never played another down in the NFL after leaving Tampa.
2 - WR - Arrelious Benn - Illinois
Had an injury-plagued career in Tampa and after showing flashes of ability in his first two years, only had 10 further receptions in his NFL
career, four with the Bucs in 2012 and then six more in total with Jacksonville before leaving the NFL for good.
3 - CB - Myron Lewis - Vanderbilt
Had three disappointing seasons as a member of the Buccaneer secondary but never showed any real ability to play at a high level and was
eventually released in the 2013 pre-season. Became nothing more than a special teams' coverage player in his final season in 2012.
4 - WR - Mike Williams - Syracuse
Spent four seasons in Tampa mostly as the No.2 receiver and posted excellent numbers in his first three years. Fell off in terms of
performance in 2013 and was eventually traded to the Bills for a low draft pick in 2014 where he had only eight more receptions before
leaving the NFL for good.
6 - P - Brent Bowden - Virginia Tech
Did not make the full roster out of training camp after a disappointing pre-season and after one week on the practice squad, was released.
7 - S- Cody Grimm - Virginia Tech
Had a solid three-year career in Tampa having made the team as a long-shot 7th round pick in 2010. Twice became a starter in the
defensive backfield due to injuries elsewhere and scored his first NFL touchdown in his second ever start in Cincinnati. Returned to the Bucs
in 2019 as an assistant coach.
7 - LB - Dekoda Watson - Florida State
Spent four seasons as primarily a special teams player but also made six starts in the process at strongside linebacker. Recorded his first
NFL interception off Drew Brees in 2013 and was involved in several punt blocks in his four years in Tampa too. Went on to play several
more seasons with other NFL teams in a similar role.
7 - FB/DE - Erik Lorig - Stanford
Became a solid hard-working full back during his four years with the Buccaneers and had made the position his own when he reached free
agency and moved on to the New Orleans Saints. Went into his rookie training camp as a defensive end and was a gameday inactive in the
season opener at that position. Switched to full back and after two weeks on the practice squad, came back up to the full roster as a
member of the offense.
Erik Lorig
Mike Williams
