NFL Draft 2012: Tampa Bay's Top Five First Round Considerations

As the biggest game in all of sports, the Super Bowl, is over, teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have several other things on their mind.

Along with finding a new coaching staff, the Bucs are also debating on what player they will take with the fifth overall pick come late April, at the 2012 NFL Draft.

Who will they pick? What positions will they draft? And if Tampa Bay doesn't draft at a certain position, will they pick up a free agent at that spot instead?

All of those are questions the Buccaneers will answer by the time April 26-28 finally becomes present (and it can't get here soon enough).

But what about that first-round selection?

Here are some of the likely names the front office brass at One Buc Place could be looking at as their first pick when draft time rolls around this spring.

5. Dre Kirkpatrick, Cornerback, Alabama

Dre Kirkpatrick was arrested on drug charges only days removed from Alabama's National Championship victory, which consequently could lead to a drop in his stock for the 2012 NFL Draft.

But if I remember correctly, the Buccaneers are pretty lenient when it comes to these types of situations. Hopefully now, with Greg Schiano at the helm, things will change in terms of the players activities off the field. 

But that doesn't mean the Bucs wouldn't do what some consider unthinkable and draft Kirkpatrick.

There is a chance, albeit a rather small one, that Morris Claiborne will not be available at the No.5 selection, the one that Tampa Bay possesses.

In that case, with the need the Bucs have in the secondary, Dre Kirkpatrick could indeed be slipping on a Buccaneers jersey on draft day. It may be a bit of a reach in terms of the other talent that will be available when Tampa Bay goes on the clock, but Mark Dominik may rule need over want.

This would be a poor decision for the Bucs. While the secondary may be their position of greatest need, they have an abundance of other areas on the field that need to be addressed through the draft.

If Claiborne is still around when the Bucs select, it should be a clear choice to grab him instead of Kirkpatrick, if drafting a corner is the route the Bucs want to take.

But if faced with the option of drafting only Kirkpatrick, the Bucs would be wise to wait for someone like Nebraska's Alfonzo Dennard or South Carolina's Stephon Gilmore in the next round.

4. Trent Richardson, Running Back, Alabama

You may wonder why many so-called "experts" have the Buccaneers taking Alabama's Trent Richardson as their first pick in this April's draft.

After all, isn't LeGarrette Blount already the clear workhorse running back in Tampa Bay? Well consider the fact that half of the top ten teams in rushing this season had two backs over 500 yards.

The two-headed monster theme at running back has certainly worked-out for many teams recently. Just ask Houston or New Orleans. Both of these teams were in the top ten in terms of rush yards and each has more than one running back to carry the load.

The duo of Arian Foster and Ben Tate was a huge one for the Texans this year and we may see more of the same philosophy come into play with several other franchises down the road.

With that said, pairing Richardson and Blount together isn't a bad thought whatsoever. The only problem with the selection of Richardson would be the other glaring holes that it would leave behind for Tampa Bay.

While the Bucs may be intrigued at the opportunity to grab Richardson early, the truth is this has become a pass-happy league and they may be forced to keep up with the trend.

Just look at the NFC South quarterbacks, for instance: Drew Brees (MVP candidate), Cam Newton (Rookie of the Year) and Matt Ryan (top ten quarterback)

It may not be what they want to do, but having targets for Josh Freeman and additions to shore up a poor secondary are the two areas the Bucs need to be most concerned with in the first round.

3. Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Luke Kuechly's name has continued to pop up many times in recent Tampa Bay Buccaneers' mock drafts and with good reason.

Kuechly is the type of player Greg Schiano wants to establish in this organization, what he calls the "Buccaneer way." There's no denying that this pick would be a classic Bucs' pick, attempting to build around a young star in the middle of the their defense.

Kuechly is not considered a top five, or even top ten pick by most mocks, unless they consider the Bucs selecting him. But Kuechly has plenty of high marks from his college days to make a case that he is worth taking a shot at the 5th pick.

The Boston College standout won the Butkus Award (best linebacker in the nation), and also received the Bronko Nagurski award as the top defensive player in college football. The very best. Not Tyrann Mathieu, Morris Claiborne, Dre' Kirkpatrick, or Courtney Upshaw.

Kuechly also broke the Boston College record for tackles and did so in three years. And that's saying something for a defense that's produced players such as B.J. Raji, Bill Romanowski, and Hall of Famer  Ernie Stautner.

But above all else, Kuechly will bring leadership to Tampa Bay. Leadership is something Schiano must find as Tampa Bay has lacked it over the past two seasons.

While not a strong blitzer, but Kuechly would meet the runner in the holes, spy on the quarterback and fill QB's throwing lanes. And those are a few things that Kuechly does great.

So as much as people will say he's not worth it at the spot the Bucs are drafting from and that they have more pressing needs in the secondary.

But Kuechly is the kind of player to form a defense around and, more importantly, one that the Bucs have historically built around.

2. Justin Blackmon, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State

After a dominating college career, Justin Blackmon will certainly find his name off of the board early in this year's draft.

The Bucs may be hoping he doesn't come off too early, though. The St. Louis Rams have expressed interest in Blackmon as they are looking to add weapons for young quarterback Sam Bradford.

The Rams are also picking second in the draft, three picks ahead of Tampa Bay, which could put the Bucs out of luck.

Several other scenarios could take place, giving Tampa Bay the chance to draft Blackmon. The possibilities of St. Louis trading down in the draft are high, such as a move down to the sixth spot in a trade with the Washington Redskins.

This would be in play if the Redskins do indeed decide they want to draft Robert Griffin III. But another obstacle might be in the Bucs' way, even if the Rams move back.

The Cleveland Browns have also expressed interest in drafting Griffin, and may move to the second spot to do so. The problem for Tampa Bay is, while the Rams move back, they would still be one slot ahead of Tampa Bay.

As for Blackmon, his lack of elite speed may make the Rams draft an offensive lineman instead. But for the Bucs, they are strongly consider taking Blackmon if given the opportunity. He would immediately come in as the lead receiver, across from Mike Williams.

The Bucs could still pick a receiver later, whether by taking a falling Alshon Jeffery, or if he's not available, go with Mohamed Sanu, one of Greg Schiano's players at Rutgers.

But if put in the spot to pick Blackmon, the very well could pull the trigger.

1. Morris Claiborne, Cornerback, LSU

There shouldn't be too much surprise with this one. Morris Claiborne is the ideal pick for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and has been for quite some time.

Claiborne seemed to always be overshadowed by all the talk of the "Honey Badger," Tyrann Mathieu. But make no mistake—Claiborne had just as much to do with LSU's suffocated defense than Mathieu did.

The Jim Thorpe Award-winner for best defensive back in the nation, Claiborne seems to be a can't-miss prospect coming out of LSU. It's hard to see how he won't end up as a tremendous shut-down corner in the NFL.

And as cornerback seems to be the Buccaneers' biggest deficiency, with Ronde Barber's career likely (but you never know with him) winding down and Aqib Talib facing possible prison time, the reasons to draft Claiborne are getting quite expansive.

There are certain things to consider if you're the Bucs, like how Claiborne isn't as impressive in zone coverage as he is in covering man-to-man. But even if the Bucs use more zone on defense, Claiborne still fits the bill and is more talented than any other corner available in the draft.

His athleticism, speed and vertical are impressive. His ball-hawking skills and football smarts are even more appealing.

This will create a perfect opportunity come draft day, when the Bucs may be able to add the player that is the best on the board and fulfills their biggest need.

It seemed probable to have a Clayborn (Adrian) drafted in the first round last year. It appears obvious to imagine a Claiborne pulling on the red and pewter this year.