The 1981 Buccaneer draft review
The Bucs drafted 7th in the first round and then subsequent rounds saw them pick 6th and 7th alternatively due to
tie-breakers. The 3rd round pick had been traded back in 1978 to the Rams for G Greg Horton. A 5th rounder
went to Oakland for QB Mike Rae, a 6th rounder to New Orleans for P Tom Blanchard and a 7th rounder to Dallas
for DE Dave Stalls.
DRAFT ANALYSIS - Two picks, two superstars in Green and Wilder. Holt was a starter, Smith and White both
played three seasons, and all the trades proved to be solid ones too. A shame that the Bucs then went five straight
seasons picking terribly until 1987 after this good year.
Hugh Green
James Wilder
John Holt
Denver Johnson
Ken McCune
Johnny Ray Smith
1 - LB - Hugh Green - Pittsburgh
A superb linebacker who was incredibly highly-rated coming out of college. Hampered by injuries in 1984, he was eventually traded to Miami in
1985 by Leeman Bennett but brought a 1st and 2nd round pick in return. Anchored the Buc defense along with Lee Roy Selmon for three solid
seasons.
2 - RB - James Wilder - Missouri
The finest offensive threat in franchise history - remains the franchise leader in rushing and second in receptions and set NFL records for carries in
a game and season during 1984.
3 - traded to L.A. Rams for G Greg Horton
Spent two seasons starting on the offensive line including the 1979 NFC Central Division title winning team
4 - CB - John Holt - West Texas State
Solid if unspectacular cornerback who spent five seasons with the Buccaneers and started for three of them.
5 - traded to Oakland for QB Mike Rae
Spent two seasons backing up Doug Williams and gave the Bucs a veteran presence behind the young starter in the process. Started five games
when Williams was hurt in 1978.
6 - traded to New Orleans for P Tom Blanchard
Trading this high a pick for a punter is always open to second guessing, but the veteran Blanchard was a solid dependable kicker for the Bucs for
over two seasons before getting hurt.
7 - traded to Dallas for DE Dave Stalls
Led the 1982 strike-shortened season team in sacks and provided a decent pass-rush threat before bolting to the USFL after the 1983 season.
8 - T - Denver Johnson - Tulsa
Never played football in the NFL at all. Had been an All-Missouri Valley Conference selection as a senior and was also named Tulsa's Outstanding
Athlete that year too.
9 - QB - Mike Ford - SMU
Spent two seasons as the Bucs' No.3 QB but never saw any regular season action. In spite of limited playing time through injury as a junior and
senior, he was still eighth on the all-time NCAA passing yardage list when he graduated.
10 - DE - Ken McCune - Texas
Never played football in the NFL at all. Had 15 sacks in his senior year. Left Buc camp voluntarily in 1981 but returned the following year without
success then either.
11 - CB - Johnny Ray Smith - Lamar
Any late round pick who makes the team is a good one and Smith was with the Bucs until the end of the 1983 season as a special teamer and
nickel back.
12 - DT - Brad White - Tennesse
Followed fellow nose tackle David Logan in making the team from his 12th round selection. Played in every game during his career as a Buc but
never made a start and never recorded a sack. Was also a state champion wrestler whilst at high school in Idaho.
Brad White
Mike Ford
