Gruden: We 'reached' when picking WR Jackson

Jon Gruden finally said what many Buccaneers fans have been thinking.

Tampa Bay's former head coach is part of the NFL Network's coverage of this weekend's draft and was discussing the strength of the 2009 wide receiver class when he mentioned Dexter Jackson, who didn't catch a pass for the Bucs last season after being the 58th overall pick.

"Last year, we were starving to take one [receiver] and probably reached, if you want to be honest, in the second round," Gruden said on a conference call with fellow NFL Network analyst Steve Mariucci.

Jackson, a speedy and undersized wideout who posted an exceptionally fast time at the scouting combine, was chosen out of Appalachian State after Tampa Bay traded back in the second round.

Jackson didn't register a reception in seven games during his rookie season and averaged only 4.9 yards as a punt returner before losing his return duties to Clifton Smith, who went on to make the Pro Bowl.

Gruden and Mariucci were asked about the quarterbacks available in the 2009 draft, a list topped by juniors Matt Stafford of Georgia and Southern Cal's Mark Sanchez.

"I've always been leery of drafting junior quarterbacks very high," Gruden said. "But I think Stafford has an NFL body and he can stick it in there between the corner and the safety. Sanchez is an accurate passer and a winner. Quarterback is the toughest position to play in sports and the toughest to evaluate."

"It's always a crapshoot drafting a quarterback in the first round," said Mariucci. "If I'm coaching the West Coast style of offense, I like Sanchez a little bit more. His style at USC was very much a pro-style offense, but Stafford has a great upside. I think both will become starters very soon."

Gruden's strongest comments came when he was evaluating Percy Harvin, the versatile University of Florida receiver whose draft stock is reportedly slipping because of off-field concerns.

"Percy Harvin is the most dynamic offensive player in this draft," Gruden said. "With the ball in his hands, he's downright scary. If he goes to an Astroturf team like Minnesota or New Orleans, look out. He's a big reason they're wearing championship rings in Gainesville."