![Gerald McCoy has been one of the league's best defensive tackles. [Image Source: Flickr | imgacademy]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2019/3/5/660x290/b_502x220x82/gerald-mccoy-has-been-one-of-the-leagues-best-defensive-tackles-image-source-flickr-imgacademy_2220065.jpg "Gerald McCoy has been one of the league's best defensive tackles. [Image Source: Flickr | imgacademy]")
After looking at the best recent draft picks by the teams who currently have the first four selections in April's draft (Cardinals, 49ers, Jets, Raiders), it's time to look at the Buccaneers who will be selecting fifth. Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports has Tampa Bay taking offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor out of Florida with that pick.
The Buccaneers haven't necessarily utilized the draft to the best of their ability, in recent years, and that is part of the reason they haven't reached the playoffs since the 2009 season. That doesn't mean they are free of draft picks though who made a positive impact on the field. Here are their top 10 draft selections since 2000.
Note: Only time with the Buccaneers was considered for the list. Aqib Talib is a five-time Pro Bowler, but all of his selections came after he left Tampa Bay. Also, where they were drafted made a difference - meaning this isn't quite a top-ten best players drafted by Tampa Bay since 2000 list. Some late-round selections that did not quite make the list but produced solid careers for the Buccaneers include Sean Mahan (fifth-round, 2003), Geno Hayes (sixth-round, 2008), Mike Williams (fourth-round, 2010), and Caleb Benenoch (fifth-round, 2016).
Gerald McCoy, DT - 1st-round, 3rd overall (2010); time with Buccaneers: 2010-present
McCoy earned six straight trips to the Pro Bowl from 2012-2017 and was a First Team All-Pro in 2013. His 54.5 sacks rank third in franchise history only behind Warren Sapp and Simeon Rice.
Lavonte David, LB - 2nd-round, 58th overall (2012); time with Buccaneers: 2012-present
In six of his seven seasons, David has recorded over 100 tackles. He was a First Team All-Pro in 2013 and a Pro Bowler in 2015. Thus far, he has racked up 21.5 sacks and 10 interceptions.
Mike Evans, WR - 1st-round, 7th overall (2014); time with Buccaneers: 2014-present
Since being drafted in 2014, Evans has surpassed the 1,000 yard receiving mark in every season. A Pro Bowl participant for the 2016 and 2018 seasons, he has amassed 395 catches for 6,103 yards and 40 touchdowns thus far in his career.
Kwon Alexander, LB - 4th-round, 124th overall (2015): time with Buccaneers: 2015-present
A starting linebacker since day one, Alexander was named to the Pro Bowl in the 2017 season. He would possibly be higher on the list had he not missed 18 games over four years.
Davin Joseph, G - 1st-round, 23rd overall (2006); time with Buccaneers: 2006-2013
Joseph spent nearly his whole career with Tampa Bay other than his last season in 2014. He started 112 games for the Buccaneers and twice made the Pro Bowl (2008 and 2011).
Barrett Ruud, LB - 2nd-round, 36th overall (2005); time with Buccaneers: 2005-2010
Ruud missed just one game and started every other in a four-year stretch from 2007-2010. During those four seasons, he made 511 tackles and picked off six passes.
Donovan Smith, OT - 2nd-round, 34th overall (2015); time with Buccaneers: 2015-present
In his four seasons, Smith has started all 16 games every year. In the 2016 season, he did not commit a single penalty. According to the Buccaneers' team website, the team re-signed him to a three-year deal on Tuesday.
Jermaine Phillips, S - 5th-round, 157th overall (2002); time with Buccaneers: 2002-2009
All eight of Phillips' NFL seasons were spent with Tampa Bay. He was very successful as a late-round pick making 74 starts over the course of his career. He intercepted 11 passes, nine of which came between 2006-2008.
Jeremy Zuttah, G - 3rd-round, 83rd overall (2008); time with Buccaneers: 2008-2013
While he never made a Pro Bowl, Tampa Bay could always count on Zuttah to protect his quarterback. He made 76 starts in six years with them, three of which saw him start all 16 games.
Jameis Winston, QB - 1st-round, 1st overall (2015); time with Buccaneers: 2015-present
Winston falls to the bottom of the list because he hasn't yet performed like a first overall pick at quarterback is expected to (plus he's had off-the-field issues). It's arguable whether he should even be on this list. He has completed 61.6 percent of his passes with 88 touchdowns and 58 interceptions over his first four years.
