NFL Draft 2012: Morris Claiborne's Wrist Surgery Won't Hurt LSU Star's Stock

If you're a team at or near the top of the 2012 NFL Draft order (i.e. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and you're looking to add a top-tier cornerback prospect to your secondary, you'd probably be at least a bit displeased to hear that LSU's Morris Claiborne will be going under the knife on Friday.

Though, when push comes to shove, you probably shouldn't let his particular procedure disturb you from your original conviction. 

According to The New Orleans Times-Picayune, Claiborne will have surgery performed on his left wrist to repair a ligament tear suffered during the Tigers' 9-6 victory over Alabama in college football's "Game of the Century" last season.

The news certainly doesn't help Claiborne's draft stock, not with the first round so close at hand.

Then again, there's plenty of reason to believe that Claiborne's pockets (and the fortunes of the team that selects him) will be no worse for wear. For one, his speed (4.39 in the 40), athleticism, agility and technique on the field—you know, all the things that make Claiborne an elite football talent—should be unaffected by a minor procedure on his wrist.

He's still far and away the most gifted corner in this draft, ahead of 'Bama's Dre Kirk Patrick and North Alabama's Janoris Jenkins, and doesn't come saddled with the sort of off-the-field baggage that they carry around.

Also, the fact that Mo played through the pain of a bum wrist for two months shows just how tough he really is. What's not to like about a big, physical defensive back who can seemingly walk off a ligament tear better than you or I would handle a mild cold?

And, if that's not enough, it wouldn't exactly be the end of the world if Claiborne's ability to catch the ball were at all impeded by his upcoming surgery. After all, isn't that why most corners end up on defense—because their hands aren't wide receiver-caliber?

So, when draft days comes around on April 26th, don't expect Mo Claiborne to spend too much time waiting around in the green room, bad wrist or no. He's still got "NFL star at a premium position" written all over him.

Just not written with his left hand, of course.

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