Holmes was chosen over Eddie Brown, who was not expected to have been available with the eighth-overall pick. Bennett decided that, with the passing game already performing well, it was more important to select for defense. The Buccaneers envisioned Holmes as a starting end, opposite of Lee Roy Selmon and with Dave Logan at nose tackle. Holmes was named first-team All-America by five different organizations, and was once much-coveted by Memphis State and DePaul as a basketball recruit. Ervin Randle was a versatile linebacker who had also played defensive end and nose tackle at Baylor. Mike Heaven, a Delray Beach, Florida, native, was a defensive back who was expected to provide immediate help to a secondary that had aging safeties and struggling young cornerbacks. Likewise, Mike Prior was the Missouri Valley Conference career leader in interceptions as well as a former Baltimore Orioles draftee. He turned down a contract offer from the Los Angeles Dodgers to sign with Tampa Bay. Phil Freeman was the University of Arizona starting tailback until suffering a broken leg in 1982, but was projected as a wide receiver with what Bennett called "rare speed". Steve Calabria was the leading quarterback in Colgate history, with a strong arm and the ability to throw while rolling out. He claimed to already have signed a letter of agreement with Tampa Bay Bandits owner John Bassett, although it was unclear whether the Bandits would still be in existence, or whether they would be part of the USFL or part of a new spring league that Bassett was proposing. Calabria had been expected to be drafted as high as the fourth round, until rumors of his USFL agreement (which the Buccaneers were unaware of) began to circulate. By the time the ailing Bassett released Calabria from his contract, mini-camp was already over, and he was unprepared for preseason competition. Donald Igwebuike was a soccer player who tried football at the encouragement of his fellow Nigerian and Clemson teammate Obed Ariri, against whom he would now be competing for the kicking job. James Melka was a second-team All-Big Ten selection at linebacker who had been expected to be drafted much higher than the twelfth round.