The 1985 Buccaneer draft review
The Bucs drafted 8th overall throughout this draft. The additional 12th round pick came from the Los Angeles Rams for
DE Booker Reese. A 2nd round pick was sent to Kansas City for QB Steve DeBerg, a 5th rounder to the New York Jets
for RB Scott Dierking and a 6th rounder to Cincinnati for T Don Swafford.
DRAFT ANALYSIS - Not brilliant but better than 1984 and a whole lot better than the disaster that was 1986. Holmes did
OK but nothing special, and the trade for DeBerg proved to be a success. Only the picks of Randle and Igwebuike
proved worthwhile beyond that however.
Ron Holmes
Ervin Randle
Mike Heaven
Mike Prior
Steve Calabria
Donald Igwebuike
1 - DE - Ron Holmes - Washington
Always suffered from the stigma of having to replace Lee Roy Selmon, an impossible task. Holmes was a good NFL end, nothing overwhelming
but a good solid starter and he did OK in Denver after leaving the Bucs. The Bucs needed an end and he was the best one there.
2 - traded to Denver for QB Steve DeBerg
DeBerg started for most of 1984 and led the Bucs to what remains their highest offensive ranking in their history. He was with the Bucs through
1987 and was a lot better value than the first round pick that was given up for his predecessor Jack Thompson.
3 - LB - Ervin Randle - Baylor
Started at linebacker for the Bucs for three of his six years and showed some pass-rush abilities in his final year when given more of a free rein on
third downs. Wound up with the Chiefs at the end of his NFL career.
4 - S - Mike Heaven - Illinois
Never played football in the NFL at all. Had been a three-year starter at Illinois and was a second team All-Big Ten in both his junior and senior
years. Had been playing in college as a cornerback and never adjusted to safety in the pro ranks at all.
5 - traded to N.Y. Jets for RB Scott Dierking
Solid back-up with the Jets but the emergence of James Wilder as a do-it-all back for the Bucs made pretty much every other running back on the
roster superfluous.
6 - traded to Cincinnati for T Don Swafford
Never played a down for the Buccaneers. Had been a four-year starter in the Canadian Football League and was acquired from Cincinnati during
the 1984 pre-season. Played in all four exhibition games that year before sustaining a back injury and missed the entire year. Did not make the
1985 team out of training camp.
7 - S - Mike Prior - Illinois State
Only played one season as a nickel back and special teamer with the Bucs but stayed in the NFL for over a decade before winning a Super Bowl
ring with the Packers. Had a real knack for recording interceptions against Tampa Bay over his career.
8 - WR - Phil Freeman - Arizona
One of the better kick returners in franchise history - his chances to do well at receiver were hampered by injury. Recorded the longest kick return
in franchise history at the time, the very first time he touched the ball (1985 opener in Chicago).
9 - QB - Steve Calabria - Colgate
Never played football in the NFL at all. Had been a record-setting Division 1-AA QB in college and ranked fourth all-time in passing yardage when
he was drafted.
10 - K - Donald Igwebuike - Clemson
One of the best kickers in franchise history. Played five seasons in Tampa and never missed a kick of inside 33 yards in his career. The first kicker
the Bucs ever drafted.
11 - RB - Punkin Williams - Memphis State
Never played football in the NFL at all. Real name was James Williams, Punkin being a childhood nickname he always used thereafter. Led
Memphis State in rushing his junior and senior years but got hurt in his final season when colliding with a sideline camera.
12 - S - Jim Rockford - Oklahoma
Never played a down for the Buccaneers. Played in just one NFL game in his career in 1985 with the San Diego Chargers. Started his final two
years in college having been recruited as a receiver out of high school.
12 - LB - Jim Melka - Wisconsin
Never played a down for the Buccaneers. Did appear in one of the replacement games in 1987 for the Green Bay Packers and recorded an
interception. Was one of 11 Wisconsin Badgers drafted in 1985 and was the school's leading tackler for his final three years in college. Was an All-
American running back in high school.
Punkin Williams
Phil Freeman
