The 1978 Buccaneer draft review
The Bucs had the first overall selection for the third straight season and became involved in a
monster trade with the Houston Oilers. In return for the first choice that netted the Oilers Earl
Campbell, the Bucs gained TE Jimmie Giles, Houston's first and second round picks, and then
3rd and 5th round picks in 1979. Picks in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 11th round were traded
as detailed below. The additional 11th round pick was part of the Ernie Holmes trade. The
additional 6th round pick came from the Rams for C Dan Ryczek.
DRAFT ANALYSIS - The Bucs had the No.1 overall pick again but just didn't need Earl
Campbell with Ricky Bell having been drafted No.1 overall the previous year. Hence the trade
with the Oilers brought Doug Williams, Jimmie Giles and two high picks and probably is a good
one with hindsight. But the selections of Davis and particularly Moritz with the two No.2 picks
were downright terrible.
Doug Williams
Johnny Davis
Brett Moritz
John McGriff
Willie Taylor
1 - QB - Doug Williams - Grambling
There is little doubt that Williams was the QB that the Bucs needed so badly. In the five seasons he spent in Tampa, Williams only missed six
games, all of which came as a result of a broken jaw. Never known for his accuracy, Williams was almost impossible to sack, once going through
an entire season only being downed nine times. Time has told that allowing him to bolt to the USFL was a terrible decision for the franchise, and
one can only speculate how the Bucs might have performed in the W-L column through the mid 1980s with Doug at the helm.
2 - RB - Johnny Davis - Alabama
Drafted to serve as a blocker and full-back for Ricky Bell but never really excelled at either during three seasons in Tampa Bay. Was eventually
traded to the 49ers for James Owens who was a lot more successful in the role.
2 - G - Brett Moritz - Nebraska
Only played six games in his career for the Bucs having sustained a back injury during his rookie season and did not make the 1979 team at all.
3 - traded to Oakland for G Dan Medlin
Played two seasons for the Bucs on the offensive line in a necessary trade to bring some form of offensive line experience in front of rookie Doug
Williams
4 - traded to Oakland for T Jeff Winans
Another trade with the Raiders for an offensive lineman. Played most of one season as a starter in Tampa before picking up an injury that would
prove to be the end of his NFL career.
5 - traded to Miami for CB Jeris White
Started for three seasons at cornerback for the Bucs as Tampa began its ascent to the top-ranked defense in the NFL. Went on to win a Super
Bowl ring with the Redskins of Riggins and Theismann.
6 - WR - Elijah Marshall - North Carolina State
Never played football in the NFL at all. Four-year player in college with great speed but only had 65 receptions his entire career with the Wolfpack.
Had the legs but not the hands to play pro football.
7 - traded to Atlanta for K Allan Leavitt
The Bucs needed a kicker in 1977 and traded for Leavitt during that season. He only played one season and thanks to the pitiful offense that the
Bucs had that year, managed to lead the team in scoring with a mere 20 points.
8 - LB - John McGriff - Miami
Never played football in the NFL at all. Had one successful year in college recording 87 tackles and five sacks but could not repeat the
performance in camp for the Bucs.
9 - WR - Willie Taylor - Pittsburgh
Never played a down for the Buccaneers . Started for two seasons in college including Pitt's 1976 national championship team but did not make it
out of camp in the NFL with the Bucs.
10 - LB - Aaron Brown - Ohio State
Any time a late round pick remains on a roster for a season or two, it was a worthwhile selection and Aaron Brown played three seasons with the
Bucs. Never more than a special teamer and back-up linebacker, he did go on to success in the Canadian Football League after leaving Tampa
Bay.
11 - traded to Pittsburgh for Ernie Holmes
Had played seven seasons with the Steel Curtain defense in Pittsburgh and had won two Super Bowl rings with Chuck Noll, and looked to be a
steal for the Bucs when obtained in May 1978 for a 10th and 11th round picks. But there was a reason Holmes was traded and that was because
he simply was not good enough any more. He did not make it past camp and never played for the Bucs.
12 - RB - Kevin McLee - Georgia
Never played football in the NFL at all. Ended his college career as the Georgia Bulldogs' all-time leading rusher and was a first-team SEC in his
junior year.
Aaron Brown
Elijah Marshall
