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Top 5 Second-Round Picks in Buccaneers History
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- Top 5 Second-Round Picks in Buccaneers History
(Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images)
As the NFL draft kicks off on Thursday, BucsRoundtable takes a look in the rearview at key contributors the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have previously drafted in the second round who made big impacts for the team during their tenures.
The Buccaneers have made over 50 picks in the second round since 1976. Some players did not have productive years in a Buccaneers jersey, while others flourished and earned multiple career honors in Tampa Bay .
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BucsRoundtable will take a look at five of the best second-round picks in Buccaneers history -- players who have either left their mark in the franchise's history or are still writing their story.
No. 5: Antoine Winfield Jr.
Winfield Jr. is the only active player on this list, as he was the 45th pick in 2020. In six seasons with Tampa Bay, he has made the PFWA All-Rookie Team, was the NFL co-leader in forced fumbles in 2023, became a two-time Pro Bowler, made first-team All-Pro and is a Super Bowl LV champion.
The 5-foot-9 safety is still writing his story as a Buccaneer. Winfield Jr. is heading into his seventh season and is under contract through the 2027 season.
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No. 4: G Ali Marpet
Marpet was the 61st pick for Tampa Bay in 2015, becoming the highest drafted Division Ill player ever (Hobart College). Although he retired after seven seasons in the NFL, he made an impact as one of the most consistent offensive linemen in Buccaneers history. He made the PFWA All-Rookie Team, made the Pro Bowl in the following year, and became a Super Bowl LV champion.
Marpet's consistency earned him a five-year, $55.25 million contract extension in 2018, as Tampa Bay quarterbacks were sacked 4.5 percent of the time when he was on the field in 2017.
No. 3: James Wilder Sr.
Wilder was the 34th pick in the 1981 draft for Tampa Bay, back when the draft was 12 rounds. He is the franchise's leading rusher with 5,957 yards.
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Coming out of Northeastern Oklahoma, Wilder became a Pro Bowler and was named second-team All-Pro in 1984. He rushed for 1,544 yards that season, which became the franchise's single-season record.
No. 2: Mike Alstott
Alstott played for Tampa Bay from 1996-2007, spending his entire career with the franchise after being selected with the 35th pick. The Buccaneers' bruising fullback, a fan favorite throughout his career, earned multiple accolades in his 12 seasons.
He was a six-time Pro Bowler, a second-team All-Pro, three-time first-team All-Pro and a Super Bowl XXXVII champion.
Alstott finished his career with 5,088 yards and 58 touchdowns on 1,359 carries. Barring the 2003 season, when he played four games, the 6-foot-1 fullback consistently played over 13 games.
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No. 1: Lavonte David
David is a franchise legend for the Buccaneers, who recently retired after 14 seasons. The 12-time captain earned many accolades in a Tampa Bay jersey: PFWA All-Rookie Team, Pro Bowl, two-time second-team All-Pro, first-team All-Pro and the Super Bowl LV champion.
David was the 58th pick back in 2012, and he's etched his name in the record books. A stalwart at linebacker and sure-fire Buccaneers Ring of Honor laureate has the most forced fumbles (33), most tackles for a loss (176), most fumble recoveries (21) and tied Derrick Brooks for the most tackles in franchise history (1,714).
David's career was the embodiment of what it meant to be a Buccaneer, and he has kick-started his waiting period to become a potential first-ballot Hall of Famer.
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