Lots of players could leapfrog the current top 5 before draft day 2012 comes sneaking up on us.The NFL Draft was a brain-child of former NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle, who designed the draft to reward the poor teams in the league who under perform by giving them the better shot at a top college player. Unlike lotteries where just being a bad team COULD get you the top pick, the draft gives the best pick to the worst team, and the last pick in the round to the Super Bowl winner. All playoff teams go AFTER non playoff teams no matter what their record is.
So if a team goes to the playoffs like Seattle with a 7-9 record, they will pick AFTER a team like the Bucs who went 10-6 but missed the playoffs.
The Bucs have the 5th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, and the recent news that dynamic QB Robert Griffin III has entered the draft has realy helped the Bucs out big time. No, no one in their right skull would even think of drafting RG3 when we have Josh Freeman, get real.
But RGIII is likely to climb into the top 5 consideration picks, which means since the Bucs DONT need a QB, and the Colts are almost sure to draft Andrew Luck with the Rams just as likely to take USC OT Matt Kalil, that leaves three excellent players that will fall to the Bucs at 5, no matter what Minnesota and Cleveland do, the Bucs will get a shot at one of these three…
LSU Cornerback Morris Claiborne: This guy is the best cornerback in college, and its possible he could be joined by Alabama’s Dre Kirkpatrick. Claiborn is a complete cover corner, has experience facing multiple offenses, and shuts down top WRs. He is a potential SHUT DOWN corner like the Bucs have never seen. Kirkpatrick is nearly rated as solid, and is a great tackler. With Ronde Barber’s uncertaintly on returning for his 16th season, and Aqib Talib facing criminal charges as well as a new Head Coach who will not have any alligiances to him, the Bucs could really need a pick here at CB.
HOWEVER…the Bucs have already taken E.J. Biggers, Myron Lewis and have Elbert Mack here. Even though these players underachieved in 2011, one need only look at Elbert Mack who played solidly at corner when called upon. He too drew the ire of fans last year for his poor play; not everyone gets it off the bat; Ronde Barber was almost let go after 1997 according to some stories.
Reason to pick: You dont get a top CB in round two, RB you do.
Alabama running back Trent Richardson: The undisputed top RB in football, he is a complete back- Runs between the tackles, can get outside, and has excellent hands to catch the ball. In other words, move over LeGarrette Blount if Richardson is picked, and Blount would be the guy who comes in and gives Richardson a rest. That would be a great running game, especially if Marty Schottenheimer is selected as coach, you can expect the Bucs to have this pick high on the board.
WHY NOT? You can get franchise RBs in the 2nd round.
WHY DO IT? He may instantly become the most complete RB the Bucs have drafted since Ricky Bell.
Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon. At 6′ 1″ 215 pounds, Blackmon is the most explosive WR in football. He is no Calvin Johnson, but closer to T.O. in his combo of size, strength and overall athleticism. He is a known playmaker. Blackmon would easily be the top WR on current Bucs roster.
WHY NOT? Bucs are Already young at WR and need veteran presense here. Free Agency is the key to upgrading WR, not drafting. Even still, if he is all thats left, the Bucs will be set at WR for some time.
WHY DO IT? If Blackmon is available and Claiborn and Richardson are gone.
Of course, there is no saying the Glazers are going to allow Mark Dominik to go out in free agency. This March is more key than anything to find out who the Glazers really are now. If they dont spend again, they are the Culverhouses all over again. I think the Bucs will spend in free agency because they have shown they are listening by turning down London again, and removing Raheem Morris less than 24 hours after the end of the season.
Of course, other players could sneak into the top 5. Mel Kiper is famous for trumping players, and with an offseason of pro-Days, and workouts for these players, plus the combine, anything can happen between now and draft day.
Look for Michael Floyd WR Notre Dame, Penn State DT Devon Still, or NC Defensive tackle Quinton Coples, Iowa Offensive Tackle Riley Reiff, or David Wilson from Virginia tech who some say is another Ray Rice, to be mobile in the draft process.
Either way, the Bucs win, because if their player is not available, Tampa Bay could take a draft day trade and get more players in the first and second or early rounds. With a lot of holes, I prefer the Bucs to use Free Agency to replace youth with Veterans.
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