2012 NFL Draft Projections: Who Buccaneers and Struggling Teams Must Target

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quickly went from one of the NFL's up-and-coming teams to end the 2010 season to laughing stock the next. They aren't alone with teams who struggled mightily in 2011, however, and a big part of each team's turnaround will be how they spend their first-round pick.

Let's take a look at some of the targets of teams who really struggled last season. The Indianapolis Colts and Washington Redskins are not included, for obvious reasons. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Morris Claiborne, RB Trent Richardson

While the Bucs put a lot of money into free agent Eric Wright, the team won't know the status of No. 1 cornerback Aqib Talib before the draft—his trial on assault charges has been moved to June 25—and the Bucs may look to Claiborne to fill that potential hole.

Richardson would give the Tampa Bay offense a spark in the running game, which ranked as one of the NFL's worst last season. 

Cleveland Browns: Claiborne, Richardson, trade down

Teaming Claiborne with Joe Haden would give Cleveland the best young cornerback combination in the NFL, and players with his skill set are difficult to find.

Richardson is a three-down back with Adrian Peterson-like NFL potential. Losing Peyton Hillis makes Richardson an attractive option.

The team could also trade down a few spots and pick up a player like Justin Blackmon or Michael Floyd later in the top 10.

Minnesota Vikings: OT Matt Kalil

I don't see how the Vikings can go any other way. QB Christian Ponder, the Vikings' first-round pick in 2011, got beat up and down the stretch last season and needs a blindside protector.

Kalil is the top tackle in the draft and represents a value pick at No. 3. If the Vikings think they can trade down a few spots and still get Kalil, then that option obviously works, too.

St. Louis Rams: WR Justin Blackmon, OT Riley Reiff, WR Michael Floyd, Claiborne, Richardson

Blackmon has been the sexy pick for St. Louis throughout this process and before they traded down to No. 6 overall. Floyd, another top receiver, could also be an option if a team before No. 6 snags Blackmon.

Tackle is still an issue for the Rams despite spending high picks on the position, so Reiff may be an interesting option.

Claiborne and Richardson are long-shots but make a certain amount of sense if either fell to sixth overall.