The 2007 NFL Draft was an eventful one for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a few other teams.
Tampa Bay landed Clemson defensive end Gaines Adams with the No. 4 overall pick after two future Hall of Famers went to Detroit and Cleveland, with the Lions picking wideout Calvin Johnson at No. 2 and the Browns selecting tackle Joe Thomas at No. 3.
The then-Oakland Raiders thought they scored a franchise quarterback with LSU's JaMarcus Russell first overall, but we all know by now how that played out.
Adams played three uninspired seasons for the Bucs before ending his pro career after one season in Chicago. By 2010, he was out of the NFL due to a heart condition.
Interestingly, Pro Football Focus recently published their 2007 NFL Re-Draft, and for what it's worth, the Bucs do a little better with hindsight being 20/20.
"The Buccaneers had a young star running back at the time in Cadillac Williams, but he suffered torn patellar tendons in 2007 and 2008 that derailed his career. With the benefit of hindsight and a top-10 running back of all time available in Peterson, Tampa Bay hands this card in. ...
"Adrian Peterson was a four-time first-team All-Pro with the Vikings and took home the MVP award in 2012, the last non-quarterback to receive the honor.
"He earned a 92.7 career PFF rushing grade and ranks in the top five all-time in rushing yards (14,918) and rushing touchdowns (120)."
While Peterson isn't yet in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, most agree he'll be there eventually, regardless of his recent off-the-field legal battles.
And yes, the Bucs would've been better off with "AP'' than with Gaines Adams.