The 1976 Buccaneer draft review
The Bucs won a coin toss with the Seattle Seahawks for the first overall selection (they
chose first in the expansion draft instead). The Bucs were given two additional picks in the
2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th rounds. The draft was also 17 rounds this year. Selections in the 2nd,
3rd, 4th and 8th rounds were traded as shown below. This was the final year where there
were 17 rounds in the NFL draft.
DRAFT ANALYSIS - The whole draft is highlighted by the selection of Lee Roy Selmon with
the first overall pick. Seeing how the Bucs screwed up this advantage almost every other
time they had it, credit must be given here for doing the right thing first time round. Two
good trades for Mike Washington and Steve Spurrier are positives, as are the selections of
Curtis Jordan, Dewey Selmon and Jimmy DuBose. Negatives are pretty much everything
from rounds 3 to 5 especially with the extra selections.
Lee Roy Selmon
Jimmy DuBose
Dewey Selmon
Steve Young
Steve Wilson
Curtis Jordan
1 - DE - Lee Roy Selmon - Oklahoma
What can you say about the Bucs' first-ever selection? A perennial Pro Bowler, the first Buc in the Hall of Fame, as successful off the field as on it
and was a real pillar of the Tampa Bay society. Holds the franchise records for sacks and was the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year in 1979. The
best Buccaneer ever.
2 - RB - Jimmy DuBose - Florida
Played three seasons with the Bucs and started 15 games. Injured during 1978 when stretching for an errant Doug Williams pass and never
played pro football again just after he reached the 100-yard mark
2 - traded to San Francisco for QB Steve Spurrier
Played the first season with the Bucs at the end of his NFL career, starting 12 of the 14 games. Was only a stop-gap measure while the rest of the
team was built around him.
2 - DT/LB - Dewey Selmon - Oklahoma
Younger brother of Lee Roy who played five seasons with the Bucs, starting 65 games at both the defensive tackle and linebacker positions.
Moved on to San Diego later in his career.
3 - T - Steve Young - Colorado
Started 11 games at left tackle for the expansion Bucs having become a starter when Dave Reavis was lost for the season through injury. Was
traded to the Dolphins in a deal for CB Jeris White before the 1977 season and played every game for Miami that year. Was briefly with the
Packers before leaving the NFL for good.
3 - traded to Baltimore for CB Mike Washington
One of the finest cornerbacks in team history. Played 100 games for the Bucs from 1976 to 1984 and started 97 of them. A key member of the
1979 defensive unit that ranked the best in the NFL.
3 - LB Steve Maughan - Utah State
Never played a down for the Buccaneers. Missed his entire rookie season with a shoulder injury and then spent 1977 battling Hogkins' disease.
Was given a clean bill of health to enter camp in 1978 but did not make the roster. Had been coached in college by futue Bucs' GM Phil Kreuger.
4 - traded to L.A. Rams for LB Jim Peterson
Played three games in the 1976 season and started two. Injured his knee in the Buffalo game and was placed on IR within a month of the season
starting
4 - WR - Richard Appleby - Georgia
Never played football in the NFL at all. Had played TE during his senior year with the Georgia Bulldogs and caught 13 passes but was most
known for the 80-yard option TD pass he threw to Gene Washington to beat the Florida Gators that season.
4 - G - Everett Little - Houston
Played 10 games in the 1976 season and started just the one. Was in camp the following year but did not make the 1977 roster. Never played in
the NFL again after leaving Tampa Bay.
5 - DB - Mishael Kelson - West Texas State
Never played football in the NFL at all. Attended Phoenix Junior College before attending West Texas State. Unusual first name is correct and not
a misprint.
5 - T - Steve Wilson - Georgia
Played 10 seasons with the Bucs and switched to center where he remained a fixture on the Buccaneer offensive line for almost a decade.
Retired after the 1985 season as the team leader in games played (126).
6 - DB - Curtis Jordan - Texas Tech
Played five seasons with the Bucs and started 33 of the 71 games he played in the defensive secondary. Went to the Washington Redskins and
won a Super Bowl ring with them in 1982.
7 - QB - Parnell Dickinson - Mississippi Valley State
Appeared in eight games during the 1976 season and started one in place of Steve Spurrier.
8 - traded to N.Y. Jets for LB Steve Reese
Played in all bar one game in the 1976 season and started 10.
9 - G - Bruce Welch - Texas A&M
Never played football in the NFL at all and not related to the Shadows' guitarist of the same name. Was an Honorable Mention All-American in
1975 and had played both guard and center during his time with the Aggies.
10 - LB - Sid Smith - BYU
Never played football in the NFL at all. Only played linebacker his senior year for the Cougars having switched from center.
11 - DB - Melvin Washington - Colorado State
Never played football in the NFL at all. Started his senior year in college and known for his track speed (5.3 in the 50-yard dash) more than his
footballing skills.
12 - WR - George Ragsdale - North Carolina A&T
Switched to RB and spent three seasons with the Bucs playing 39 games without ever starting one.
13 - TE - Brad Jenkins - Nebraska
Never played a down for the Buccaneers. Did not even attend camp having announced to the Bucs after being drafted, that he did not want to
pursue a career in professional football.
14 - KR/WR - Carl Roaches - Texas A&M
Never played a down for the Buccaneers but did return a kick for a score during the pre-season. Went on to become a successful kick returner for
the Houston Oilers however. Had recorded five return touchdowns during his college career as an indication of his potential.
15 - DT - Bob Dzierzak - Utah State
Never played football in the NFL at all. Had been a three-year starter under future Buc GM Phil Kreuger in college and was probably drafted for
that sole reason.
16 - LB - Tom West - Tennessee
Never played football in the NFL at all. Was drafted as a linebacker despite never having played there since high school. Had been a running back
and then a tight end for the Volunteers in college.
17 - QB - Jack Berry - Washington & Lee
Never played football in the NFL at all.. Had started for over two seasons in the Pac-10 but completed only 47% of his passes and threw 47
interceptions against 27 TDs.
Parnell Dickinson
Everett Little
