On Thursday night, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers unveiled the final video in their revelation of the Top 50 Players in franchise history (so far), which is all a part of the celebration of the team's 50th season. The top 10 – which is rife with Hall of Famers, players likely headed to Canton at some point and one dramatic collaboration with the G.O.A.T – were the last to be revealed and certainly included some very difficult decisions.
The formation of the Buccaneers' top 50 players was largely driven by fan voting earlier in the offseason. In addition, the team sought input from former and current members of the media who covered the team closely as well as a handful of team representatives with deep knowledge of franchise history. The results are now known, from linebacker Derrick Brooks at #1 all the way to tight end Rob Gronkowski at #50. It was a successive collaborative effort, and that sort of collaboration always needs discussions of varying opinions.
In the aftermath of the final reveal of the top 50, we wanted to tap into the deep well of organizational knowledge represented by the past and current media members and team officials who submitted ballots and had conversations about the rankings. The full lists submitted by all contributors were kept confidential but we hoped they would answer a few questions about their processes. Fortunately for us, they were more than willing.
So, to start, let's find out who each of these valued contributors chose as their number-one player, and why.
Rick Stroud, Tampa Bay Times
Lee Roy Selmon. I think Derrick Brooks and/or Warren Sapp could've been equally good choices here. And they are first ballot PFHOF players. But there were four HOF players on that 2002 Super Bowl 37 defense and they had each other. Each one of those guys directly contributed to the success of the other. I don't think Selmon had that kind of help. He was undersized at 260 lbs and double teamed in a 3-4 defense every down and yet he was unblockable at times. He was the DPOY in 79, only a few seasons after the 0-26 start. For the perseverance and production, he gets my vote as No.
Nick Pugliese, Tampa Tribune
I went with Lee Roy Selmon but just as easily could have gone with Derrick Brooks. Both high draft picks, Defensive Players of the Year, led the team to playoffs/Super Bowl, great citizens in the community. But I leaned toward Lee Roy because when you look back at that era, he was double-teamed - sometimes triple-teamed - on most plays while playing the 3-4 - and still had almost 100 sacks. Plus, he was the foundation for the beginning of the franchise.
Greg Auman, FOX Sports
This was fairly easy for me: Derrick Brooks. You put the Hall of Famers in the conversation, and I felt like No. 1 came down to Brooks and Lee Roy Selmon. Both amazing players, but also just as beloved off the field -- unimpeachable character, stayed in Tampa, revered by generations of fans. There were so many criteria you could use on this, and one of them was, fairly or unfairly, what kind of team success did you contribute to? Selmon was the best thing the Bucs had in their first decade, but I felt like Brooks' presence in the middle of that defense was so central to the Bucs' first championship, it made him the obvious choice.
Scott Reynolds, Pewter Report
If I'm drafting one current or former Buccaneer with the first overall pick – with the exception of QB Tom Brady, who was only in Tampa Bay for three years and has far more history with New England – I'm drafting Warren Sapp No. 1. To me, that's the tiebreaker between Sapp, and fellow Hall of Famers Derrick Brooks, Ronde Barber and Lee Roy Selmon, and Mike Evans, who is a future Hall of Famer. Who do you pick first overall between those legends? It's Sapp, who was an elite defensive tackle, and that is a premier position in the NFL. Football starts up front and is won in the trenches and Sapp is one of the top 5 defensive tackles of all time, especially as a pass rusher.
Brooks is the most decorated Buccaneer in franchise history and played longer than Sapp. Barber played the longest of any Bucs player and is an absolute legend with all of his sacks and INTs, including the franchise's signature play – the 92-yard pick-six to send the Bucs to the Super Bowl and shut down the Vet. But Sapp hunted quarterbacks and brought the swagger and attitude necessary to help turn the Yuccaneers into the Buccaneers. The QB Killa was a huge catalyst to helping Tampa Bay get to – and win – Super Bowl XXXVII.
Fred Goodall, Associated Press
There are five players who have been elected to the Hall of Fame based largely on what they accomplished with the Buccaneers, but Derrick Brooks is the franchise's only five-time, first-team All Pro selection, was an 11-time Pro Bowl pick and was Defensive Player of the Year in a season when Tampa Bay won the Super Bowl with a dominant defensive performance. A Hall of Fame coach and three other Hall of Famers on defense helped transform the Bucs from the laughingstock of the league into champions, however his overall resume is tough to match.
Here is the full 2025 Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 53-Man Roster.
PITTSBURGH, PA - August 16, 2025 - Center Graham Barton #62 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bucs won the game, 17-14. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 21, 2024 - Outside Linebacker Chris Braswell #43 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game 31-41. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 21, 2024 - Guard Ben Bredeson #68 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 41-31. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
PITTSBURGH, PA - August 16, 2025 - Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater #16 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bucs won the game, 17-14. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
PITTSBURGH, PA - August 16, 2025 - Linebacker John Bullock #57 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bucs Won the game, 17-14. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 23, 2025 - Offensive Tackle Ben Chukwuma #70 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 23-19. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 23, 2024 - Tight End Devin Culp #82 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 24-14. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 10, 2024 - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game 23-20. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 08, 2024 - Cornerback Jamel Dean #35 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Washington Commanders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 37-20. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 10, 2024 - Long Snapper Evan Deckers #86 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game 23-20. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 09, 2025 - Inside Linebacker SirVocea Dennis #8 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 29-7. Photo By Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
CHARLOTTE, NC - December 01, 2024 - Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers. The Bucs won the game in overtime, 26-23. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 23, 2025 - Punter Riley Dixon #92 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 23-19. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - November 24, 2024 - Tight End Payne Durham #87 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Giants. The Bucs won the game, 30-7. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 09, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #9 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 29-7. Photo By Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - January 12, 2025 - Wide Receiver Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the NFC Wild Card game between the Washington Commanders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 23-20. Photo By Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 23, 2025 - Defensive Lineman Greg Gaines #96 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 23-19. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 13, 2024 - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scores a touchdown during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints. The Bucs won the game, 51-27. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 13, 2024 - Guard Luke Goedeke #67 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints. The Bucs won the game, 51-27. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 22, 2024 - Defensive Lineman Logan Hall #90 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Denver Broncos and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 26-7. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 11, 2023 - Defensive Back Josh Hayes #32 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game 27-17. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
PITTSBURGH, PA - August 16, 2025 - Guard Ben Bredeson #68 and Tackle Charlie Heck #77 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bucs won the game, 17-14. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - January 12, 2025 - Running Back Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the NFC Wild Card game between the Washington Commanders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 23-20. Photo By Brennan Asplen/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
CHARLOTTE, NC - December 01, 2024 - Safety Christian Izien #29 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers. The Bucs won the game in overtime, 26-23. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 29, 2024 - Wide Receiver Kameron Johnson #19 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 48-14. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 23, 2025 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 23-19. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 29, 2024 - Linebacker Deion Jones #45 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 48-14. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 29, 2024 - Defensive Lineman Calijah Kancey #94 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 48-14. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
CINCINNATI, OH - August 10, 2024 - Tight End Ko Kieft #41 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cincinnati Bengals. The Bucs won the game, 17-14. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
CINCINNATI, OH - August 10, 2024 - Guard Elijah Klein #79 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cincinnati Bengals. The Bucs won the game, 17-14. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 27, 2024 - Guard Cody Mauch #69 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 31-26. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - January 12, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the NFC Wild Card game between the Washington Commanders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 23-20. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 08, 2024 - Cornerback Zyon McCollum #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 28-13. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
PITTSBURGH, PA - August 16, 2025 - Kicker Chase McLaughlin #4 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bucs won the game, 17-14. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 08, 2024 - Safety Kaevon Merriweather #26 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game 28-13. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ARLINGTON, TX - December 22, 2024 - Wide Receiver Ryan Miller #81 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys. The Bucs lost the game, 26-24. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2025 - Cornerback Benjamin Morrison #21 and Wide Receiver Rakim Jarrett #18 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
KANSAS CITY, MO - November 04, 2024 - Outside Linebacker Anthony Nelson #98 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs. The Bucs lost the game in overtime, 30-24. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 08, 2024 - Tight End Cade Otton #88 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 28-13. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
PITTSBURGH, PA - August 16, 2025 - Cornerback Jacob Parrish #25 and Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bucs won the game, 17-14. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
PITTSBURGH, PA - August 16, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Haason Reddick #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bucs Won the game, 17-14. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 23, 2025 - Defensive Lineman Elijah Roberts #95 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 23-19. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
PITTSBURGH, PA - August 16, 2025 - Wide Receiver Sterling Shepard #17 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bucs won the game, 17-14. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - January 12, 2025 - Safety Tykee Smith #23 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the NFC Wild Card game between the Washington Commanders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 23-20. Photo By Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 29, 2024 - Defensive Tackle Vita Vea #50 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 33-16. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 09, 2025 - Running Back Sean Tucker #44 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 29-7. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
PITTSBURGH, PA - August 16, 2025 - Cornerback Kindle Vildor #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bucs won the game, 17-14. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 03, 2023 - Outside Linebacker Markees Watts #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 21-18. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
INGLEWOOD, CA - December 15, 2024 - Running Back Rachaad White #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Chargers. The Bucs won the game, 40-17. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 23, 2025 - Running Back Josh Williams #37 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 23-19. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 13, 2024 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers returns a fumble for a touchdown during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints. The Bucs won the game, 51-27. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 22, 2024 - Tackle Tristan Wirfs #78 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Denver Broncos and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 26-7. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 23, 2024 - Safety Rashad Wisdom #38 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 24-14. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Ira Kaufman, Pro Football Hall of Fame Voter
I've got Lee Roy Selmon as the greatest Buc of all. He was their first Hall of Famer and one of seven defensive ends voted to the NFL's all-time Top 100 team. As Hall of Fame executive Ron Wolf told me, Selmon was never single-blocked. Despite all that attention, he remains the franchise's career sack leader. Selmon also made a powerful impact in the community that still resonates today.
Joey Johnston, Tampa Tribune
Derrick Brooks vs. Lee Roy Selmon. The eternal Buccaneer debate, right? I chose Derrick Brooks because he played longer and he helped win a Super Bowl, but I would also classify Lee Roy Selmon more as No. 1A instead of No. 2. It is that close. I'm not sure any franchise would have two players with more on-field accomplishments and civic achievements as those two gentlemen. Mike Evans was my No. 3 and he is in that class as well.
Roy Cummings, Tampa Tribune
Derrick Brooks. In my opinion, no one represented the Bucs organization and the NFL shield better than Derrick. On the field and off, where he has given so much to Tampa Bay and other communities, he was and continues to be exemplary, the perfect embodiment of what it means to be an NFL player.
Katherine Smith, Bay News 9
Lee Roy Selmon was my No. 1 pick and it was the easiest pick and ranking. For me, if you have any list of the top Buccaneers of all time, you begin the list with Lee Roy. He would also be my No. 1 pick for the top humanitarians of all time.
Rock Riley, WDAE Radio
No. 1 on my list was linebacker Derrick Brooks. He and Sapp came in together and not only led the Bucs to a Super Bowl Championship but that team did it with defense. Not only that, the culture was totally changed and it started with 55. Smart, ferocious, franchise changer. Slam dunk for me!
Rick Odioso, Long-time Buccaneers Executive
I narrowed my top three down to the three Hall of Fame enshrinees who spent their entire careers with the Buccaneers – Derrick Brooks, Lee Roy Selmon and Rondé Barber. Brooks and Barber had longevity, Brooks and Selmon were more dominant at their positions. Brooks was the one who met both criteria. More than 200 games, 11 Pro Bowls, enshrined in the Hall in his first year – Derrick Brooks was my choice.
Scott Smith, Buccaneers.com
The Buccaneers have three players who both won an NFC Defensive Player of the Year award – i.e., reached the absolute pinnacle of playing their position – and were eventually enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. So, while my heart yearns to vote for personal favorite Rondé Barber, I have to take it down to Lee Roy Selmon, Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks. Among those three, my nod goes to Derrick Brooks because I believe he was considered one of the two or three best players at his position for the vast majority of his career, and a long career it was. I don't know if any other Buccaneer can make that claim.
