TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have selected Kansas State's Josh Freeman with the 17th pick in the NFL draft, opting to bring in their quarterback of the future instead of help for a sagging defense.
Freeman is the first quarterback the Bucs have selected in the first round since taking Trent Dilfer sixth in 1994. Tampa Bay moved up two spots Saturday in the draft order, swapping places with the Cleveland Browns, who also received the Bucs' sixth-round pick.
Although landing a quarterback of the future was a need, many felt a defensive selection made more sense.
The Bucs have had one of the stingiest defenses in the league, however the unit fell apart in 2008 and was one of the reasons the team lost four straight after a 9-3 start to miss the playoffs.
