Ten years of No. 20

We're all about predictions and forecasting in sports media, so, in an effort live up to that stereotype, I did a little research to see what kind of player the Bucs might expect to uncover at pick No. 20.

If history is an accurate indication, the Bucs have a chance to come away with a solid player -- or not.

There have been some very productive prospects picked in their slot over the years. That should be somewhat comforting for those of you who are sweating what kind of star power the Bucs can find picking 20th overall. But here's the bad news: a few teams have managed to screw up royally at No. 20, so there's no guarantee the Bucs will get this right.

I went back 10 years for the purpose of this exercise and researched the 20th pick each year. Let's take a look:

2007: Texas CB Aaron Ross, Giants -- Started nine regular-season games and three of four postseason contests, including the Super Bowl. Pretty solid pick.

2006: Penn State DE Tamba Hali, Chiefs -- A starter in all games in the past two seasons, netting a combined 15.5 sacks. No quibbles here.

2005: LSU DE Marcus Spears, Cowboys -- Hard to say he has lived up to his status as a first-team All-America selection his senior year, but he has been a decent full-time player for Dallas.

2004: USC DE Kenechi Udeze, Vikings -- Was coming along with five sacks in 2007 before being diagnosed last month with a form leukemia.

2003: Georgia OT George Foster, Broncos -- Didn't fit into the Broncos' blocking scheme and was traded to Detroit in 2007, where he has been an off-and-on starter.

2002: FSU WR Javon Walker, Packers -- As far as the Raiders are concerned, Walker's turned out just fine given the $55-million contract they just gave him. A dangerous receiver when healthy.

2001: Arizona State S Adam Archuleta, Rams -- First five seasons were very solid, though he's slipped the last couple years, bouncing from Washington to Chicago.

2000: Oklahoma OT Stockar McDougle, Lions -- Has battled injuries and changed teams twice in the past three years. Missed all of '07 with an Achilles injury for the Jaguars.

1999: North Carolina DE Ebenezer Ekuban, Cowboys -- Fairly productive with 19 sacks in his past three seasons; Missed all of '07 for the Broncos with an Achilles injury.

1998: Tennessee CB Terry Fair, Lions -- Injuries derailed his career just a few seasons in, with a neck injury in 2005 ultimately ending his final attempt at a comeback.

Comments

[Draft Junkie]

all things considered, that #20 spot has produced some quality players

Are pick at 20 will be Desean Jackson

[Duane]

Excellent research. Thanks. Now if you could look into how teams fared in FA the last five years. I believe the Saints were credited with the best FA class last year and look what happened.

[DanW]

I say with the #20 pick we draft either Deseasn Jackson, or Mike Jenkins. Both are solid players, and after reading what monte had to say about jenkins after his pro day workout I would like to see us try and pick up Bryant Johnson and then get Jenkins in the draft, therefore both needs would be filled with solid young players.

lol...two of those busted picks were by none other than the detroit lions

[The Guy on the Couch]

Are pick at 20 will be Desean Jackson

Posted by: | March 11, 2008 at 05:27 PM

Funny, I think OUR pick will be Desean Jackson. Try reading a book for once in your life.

[DR]

Bucs fans are Man-tards...

[Valrico Rick]

We don't need a junior size speedster receiver we need a big, physical, reciever that catches the ball anywhere on the field. Good corners can run and jump too, why would you want a receiver that is shorter than the corner covering him? His speed doesn't help because all they have to do is roll the safety, who will also be able to out jump him for the ball, over the top of him and he his completely taken out of the game.

[John]

Only two things come from Texas...and I don't think DR is a Steer.

[DR]

We got retards again i see. I'm not from Texas.

[ANDY]

I think the bucs should go after Mike Jenkins if he is still avaialable. WR is to hard to predict, generally speaking there are not many Randy Moss's out there who produce quick

[shane]

DR only sneers and queers come from Texas and you don't seem much like a sneer so that narrows it down a bit. but seriously if you hate the bucs so much stop readin into them so much and go read about your little choke artist tony romo and the cowboys and stop disrespecting my team

[The Guy on the Couch]

Hey Shane, you're making us Bucs fans look even more retarded! What the h3ll is a sneer? I mean, are you serious? IT'S STEER. And yes, DR is queer, but who cares, he's a Cowgirls fan. And for all you other Bucs fans, please, go get an education before you post things like "are team" instead of "our team". Jeez.

[DR]

I love Tony Romo, but that doesn't make me gay.

[dv7401]

Is Michael Irvin available?

[Stephen_Holder]

Now, now.... Let's keep it clean. We've been doing so good around here for so long. Let's don't screw it up now. I ain't a babysitter, so let's play nice.

[John P]

Cover 2 corners can be had in the 2nd or 3rd round. Why waste it on a #1?

On the other side, a WR makes sense. D Jackson is a very small body kind of guy, but I'd see him being one heck of a punt returner. But unless they're convinced he's a future Steve Smith at wideout his size is a little small.

James Hardy would be my pick at #20. At 6'5, 240 and a 4.5 in the 40 - he's freaking huge, fast and has the hands and ability to be a #1 target. Malcolm Kelly or Limas Sweed would be my first choices at WR, but they both should be gone by the 20th pick.

[John]

If your not from Texas what qualifies you to be a Cowboys fan?

[Kurt]

I still think we need D-line help more than WR. Go early with the big 6'7" athletes. You can find skill positions on day two. Look at how Bush and CJ have been letdowns. Yet guys like MJD and Colston happen on a yearly basis. The better the trenches, the better everyone else looks. NYG won this last SB because of that DL, not CB.

[Draft Junkie]

I am intrigued with adding a guy like Limas Sweed as well
according to Mel Kyper's most recent mock draft, we're going to take Jackson --- not sure I am interested in a WR that's 5'10" tall and weighs less than 170 lbs !
Sweed will be there @ #20

[ScottE]

Look I am tired of seeing tall slow receivers here. Antonio Bryant is a good signing if he plays well we win if he sucks we release him owe nothing and we win. D. Jackson is a great return man but when did we start drafting punt returners in the 1st rd? I would like D, Jackson but only if we think he can play a big role at WR other wise lets get a RB like Stewart or Jones. 2nd and 3rd round picks should be CB all the way.

[Mike]

I'm with you Kurt. We need D-line help. We built the o-line throught the draft over the past few years and now its time to turn to the d-line.

[DR]

I love me some hot dogs!