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NFL Draft: Greatest pick from each franchise’s history

By Hans Themistode

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 22: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a pass prior to the NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at State Farm Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 22: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a pass prior to the NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at State Farm Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /
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Warren Sapp
Warren Sapp (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) /

NFL Draft: Greatest pick from each franchise’s history: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, DT Warren Sapp

Pick: 1995 NFL Draft, 1st round number 12 overall

Stats: 

  • 96.5 sacks
  • 578 total tackles
  • 91 tackles for loss

Awards: 

  • 7 time Pro Bowler
  • 1 time Defensive Player of the Year
  • 4 time First Team All-Pro
  • 1 time Super Bowl Champion

There were few players on the defensive side of the ball that could match up physically with Warren Sapp. It didn’t matter if he was doubled-teamed or if the line shifted over in his direction for maximum coverage, more times than not, he was going to get his paws on the quarterback.

With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers taking him with the 12th overall pick in the 1995 draft, he was given no choice but to sit on the bench and learn from the sidelines. Once they felt he was completely ready, they let him roam free in year two. Sapp had no problem rushing through defenders on the year, racking up nine sacks. On four separate occasions, he registered double-digit sacks and was an annual member of the Pro Bowl with seven picks.

Outside of this past season, the Buccaneers have never been in the championship hunt. With that said, he was a major reason why the Buccaneers annihilated the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVIII.

The Buccaneers haven’t had the best of luck when it comes to drafting generational players but in the case of Warren Sapp, it was the best pick this franchise has ever made.

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