The 1995 Buccaneer draft review
The Bucs drafted alternately 7th, 6th and 5th through the rounds of
this draft. The Bucs traded their 1st and 3rd round pick to the Eagles
for their first (12th overall) and two second round picks. They then
traded the two second round picks to the Cowboys to move back into
the first round and select Derrick Brooks. The additional seventh
round pick came from the Kansas City Chiefs for CB Darren Anderson.
DRAFT ANALYSIS - It will never probably get any better in terms of any NFL draft
anywhere than the selections of Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks. Great draft-day work by
the front office to secure the players and both selections were perennial All-Pros and future
NFL Hall of Famers. Even though Melvin Johnson never worked out as well as hoped, this
will have to go down as the Bucs' best draft ever.
Warren Sapp
Derrick Brooks
Melvin Johnson
Jerry Wilson
Wardell Rouse
Stephen Ingram
1 - DT - Warren Sapp - Miami
The Bucs traded down from the 7th overall selection when the Eagles fell in love with Mike Mamula. Tampa happily took Warren Sapp at No.12,
well below his pre-draft ranking due to rumours of marijuana use prior to the scouting combine. History has proven that this was one of the best
selections in franchise history.
1 - LB - Derrick Brooks - Florida State
Followed closely if not actually behind the selection of Brooks. The Bucs moved up into the first round again in a deal with Dallas and took the
supposedly-undersized Brooks from Florida State. He merely became the second Buc first round pick from 1995 to become an NFL Defensive
Player of the Year.
2 - S - Melvin Johnson - Kentucky
Had three years in Tampa, two as a starter, but never really established himself in the way the Bucs hoped he would. Wound up being traded to
Kansas City before the start of the 1998 season, one in which he probably would not have made the final roster.
4 - CB - Jerry Wilson - Southern
His potential career with the Buccaneers was hampered by injury although he did go on to play in the NFL for many years with Miami and for San
Diego.
5 - CB - Clifton Abraham - Florida State
Saw very limited time on special teams as a rookie and was then soon gone from Tampa.
6 - LB - Wardell Rouse - Clemson
Spent parts of two seasons as a Buccaneer special teams player and back-up linebacker without seeing any substantial playing time on the
regular defense.
7 - G/T - Stephen Ingram - Maryland
Moved between the practice squad and full roster a couple of times over a three-year period, but only ever saw playing time in two games for the
Buccaneers.
7 - DE - Jeffrey Rodgers - Texas A&M Kingsville
Never played football in the NFL at all. Had played two years at A&M Kingsville, the college that produced a good few future Bucs under Tony
Dungy and had been a Division 2 All-American as a senior.
Jeffrey Rodgers
Clifton Abraham
