Building a 2012 NFL Draft Big Board for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the fifth-overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft, and that's a good thing, since they are trying to recover from a 2011 season where they went 4-12 and lost their last 10 games in a row.

Being able to select the fifth player in Round 1 should make the creation of Tampa Bay's big board pretty simple. It should get even easier when we all know that quarterbacks Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III will go to the first two teams who pick in the draft, Indianapolis and Washington.

Even though it should be easy to list three players for Tampa Bay's big board, don't think that they'll spend any less time preparing. There will be a great deal of thought put into this pick.

The big question for the Buccaneers is whether to grab the best player available or fill a team need with the pick. Luckily for Tampa Bay, two of the three players considered the best available after Luck and Griffin would also fill huge, gaping team-need holes.

The Buccaneers need help at cornerback, linebacker and offensive tackle.

Here's how Tampa Bay will stock its big board for the NFL draft on April 26-28.

 

1. Matt Kalil, OT, USC

It's not likely that Matt Kalil will fall past Minnesota with the third-overall pick. But, if Kalil were to fall, Tampa Bay should pounce. The Buccaneers gave up 32 sacks last year, and an under-pressure Josh Freeman made a lot of mistakes. 

The 6'7" Kalil is the top-ranked tackle in the draft and has good power and agility to stay with and overpower pass-rushers. Kalil's pass-blocking technique is flawless, and he has the intelligence and patience that gives him the edge in just about every situation.

If you need further proof of Kalil's prowess, just ask USC quarterback Matt Barkley. In 2011, Barkley was sacked just eight times, a total that led the country. Barkley has been singing Kalil's praises, and Freeman would love to reduce the number of times he's sacked in 2012.

As an aside, if Kalil does fall to No. 5 (and this is still highly unlikely), expect Tampa Bay to take the full 10 minutes before selecting. The Buccaneers would surely listen to trade offers and opportunities to move down in the draft and pick up extra picks.

2. Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

A more likely progression with the two picks directly in front of Tampa Bay would be for Minnesota to take Kalil and Cleveland to take Alabama running back Trent Richardson. This would leave LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne for the Buccaneers.

With Aqib Talib's legal situation dire at best, Claiborne would fill a big need for Tampa Bay. But the Buccaneers wouldn't be taking Claiborne just out of need. Claiborne is the best defensive back in the draft and also would be the best available player at this point.

Claiborne is a beast in man coverage and used to play wide receiver, so he has the hands to make plays on the ball whereever it is. He's also got great vision and route-jumping skills and has quick feet to help keep him with receivers.

One of the elite cornerbacks in the country last year in college, Claiborne picked off six passes and led the nation in interception return yards.

3. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Even though it would make LeGarrette Blount unhappy, Tampa Bay would have to consider running back Trent Richardson if he fell to the fifth pick in the draft. Most assume that Cleveland is a lock to draft Richardson at No. 4, however.

Blount had a fantastic rookie season, but was slowed by injuries in 2011. When he was healthy, Blount had fumbling issues. For these two factors, the Buccaneers might look at Richardson.

Richardson has a rare trio of traits: size, strength and speed. He's best suited for running between the tackles, but can quickly jump to the outside and burst downfield. He's patient, as he lets plays delvelop and holes open in front of him. Unlike Blount's issues in 2011, Richardson only lost one fumble in his college career (614 touches).