The 1987 Buccaneer draft review
The Bucs drafted first throughout each round of this draft and did a mountain of deals
prior to it taking place. The first additional 2nd round pick came from the 49ers
together with a 4th round pick and cash for QB Steve Young. The second extra 2nd
round pick came from New England for G Sean Farrell. A draft day deal to swop 2nd
round picks netted an extra 4th round pick from the Bills. The additional 5th round
picks came from New England in return for a 4th rounder the following season and for
the rights to Doug Williams from the Redskins - the original 5th round pick had been
traded to the Patriots for a 6th rounder the previous year. The Bucs traded their own
6th round pick to the Steelers for C Dan Turk but gained one back from an earlier deal
with San Diego for the rights to LB Andy Hawkins. The original 8th round pick was
traded to the Jets for T Marvin Powell but a replacement was gained from the Colts for
CB John Holt. And finally, the extra 12th rounder came from the St.Louis Cardinals for
LB Rick DiBernado.
DRAFT ANALYSIS - The most picks in a draft in franchise history and a whole bunch of contributors. Ray Perkins had to stock a desperately-
depleted squad after two years of Leeman Bennett and picked up an entire receiving corps in the form of Carrier, Hill and Hall. Reynolds and
Moss were great picks but it comes down to how you view the selection of Vinny with the No.1 overall pick. Giving Perkins the benefit of the
doubt, this will go down as one of the best drafts the Buccaneers have ever had.
Vinny Testaverde
Ricky Reynolds
Winston Moss
Don Smith
Ron Hall
Bruce Hill
1 - QB - Vinny Testaverde - Miami
It is difficult to say whether this was a terrific or terrible pick. Vinny had a long NFL career but never lived up to his billing as the No,1 overall pick.
But then again, how many QBs have? He had some good days in Tampa but he certainly never performed at a consistently high level when
starting for the Bucs. He did OK in his six seasons in Tampa but nothing more than that.
2 - CB - Ricky Reynolds - Washington State
Played seven seasons with the Bucs and started at cornerback for most of that time. One of the best cornerbacks in team history.
2 - LB - Winston Moss - Miami
A solid starting linebacker for four seasons who went on to become a long-time assistant coach in the NFL.
2 - RB - Don Smith - Mississippi State
Scored a TD in the Super Bowl for Buffalo, but did absolutely nothing for the Bucs. His main claim to fame was receiving a long prison sentance
for cocaine distribution.
3 - WR - Mark Carrier - Nicholls State
Went on to become the leading receiver in franchise history. Enough said.
4 - LB - Don Graham - Penn State
Hampered by injuries and only ever played two games in his rookie season. Did not make the 1988 team out of training camp.
4 - TE - Ron Hall - Hawaii
Had a really solid all-around receiving and blocking career for seven seasons in Tampa Bay.
4 - WR - Bruce Hill - Arizona State
How to build a receiving corps in one draft - Hill, Carrier and Hall spent five seasons as a tremendous trio for the Bucs.
5 - LB - Henry Rolling - Nevada-Reno
Played as a back-up for two seasons. Bounced around the NFL a little after leaving Tampa but was really nothing more than a special teams
player.
5 - S - Tony Mayes - Kentucky
Never played a down for the Bucs. Did appear for the St.Louis Cardinals in their three replacement games however. Had been a three-year starter
in college and played both cornerback and safety at Kentucky.
6 - traded to Pittsburgh for C Dan Turk
Played a couple of seasons on the offensive line and then bounced around the league as a specialised snapper. It was his bobbled snap for
Washington in the 1999 post-season that saw the Bucs advance to the NFC championship game.
6 - RB - Steve Bartalo - Colorado State
Played part of the 1987 season. Scored his debut in the season-opening blowout of the Falcons and it went downhill from there.
7 - NT - Curt Jarvis - Alabama
Solid lineman whose promising career was curtailed by a neck injury. Played three and a half years in Tampa and was always one of the most
popular players with the fans in that time.
7 - DE - Harry Swayne - Rutgers
Converted to offensive tackle and went on to play in four Super Bowls after leaving Tampa as a forgotten Plan B free agent in 1991.
8 - NT - Stan Mataele - Arizona
Never played a down for the Bucs. Did appear in two of the replacement games for the Green Bay Packers however. A native of Hawaii, he led the
Pac-10 in tackles in his senior season.
8 - traded to NY Jets for T Marvin Powell
A former All-Pro who was totally washed-up and injury prone by the time he arrived in Tampa. Thankfully it was only an 8th round pick that Leeman
Bennett gave up for him in 1985.
9 - RB - Joe Armentrout - Wisconsin
Never played football in the NFL at all. Was voted Wisconsin's Offensive Player of the Year as both a junior and senior but was more of a blocking
back specialist than out-and-out ball carrier.
9 - P - Greg Davis - The Citadel
Went on to kick for the Cardinals for a number of seasons and ended his NFL career with nearly 1,000 points scored.
10 - G - Mike Simmonds - Indiana State
Hampered by injury but did start five games in 1989. Went on to coach high school football in the Tampa area.
11 - RB - Reggie Taylor - Cincinnati
Never played football in the NFL at all. By far the smallest offensive player ever drafted by the Bucs at just 5-5. Was an honorable mention All-
American as a senior but was just too small to make it in the pro game.
12 - DE - Scott Cooper - Kearney State
Not related to the former Scottish Claymores' wide receiver. Never played football in the NFL at all. Was a long-shot draft pick from a small college
who had led his team in tackles his two final years.
12 - QB - Mike Shula - Alabama
Spent all of 1987 as a clipboard holder and then became the Bucs' offensive co-ordinator a decade later.
Curt Jarvis
Mark Carrier
