2012 NFL Draft Players to Avoid: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Coming in to the 2011 season there were plenty of reasons for Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans to be excited.  They were coming off a 10-win season, had an up-and-coming potential Pro Bowler at quarterback in Josh Freeman and a fiery young coach in Raheem Morris.  Flash forward to 2012, and the Bucs are now coached by former Rutgers head honcho Greg Schiano and no one knows what to expect from Freeman. 

However, given the signings of Vincent Jackson and Carl Nicks, it appears Bucs ownership has a win-now mentality which means they need to draft players that can contribute to a playoff team right away.  It also means that any mistakes early in the first round could significantly hinder this team's ability to succeed right away under Schiano.  With that being said, here are seven players that I think the Buccaneers shouldn't touch with a 39-and-a-half foot pole.

No. 1: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

He has name value, a championship and by all accounts incredible talent.  I've been saying for years now that he will be the better pro when comparing him to former backfield mate Mark Ingram.  But the Buccaneers have bigger needs elsewhere, and while LeGarrette Blount is not nearly as fast, he has done well as the lead guy. 

Plus, it's tough to get top-five pick value from a running back just because they generally only have a few productive years before the injuries set in.  I'm sure Greg Schiano would love to have a franchise back like Richardson, especially after seeing what Ray Rice did to help him build Rutgers, but Boise State's Doug Martin in the second round is a better selection.

No. 2: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Another guy that could likely step in and play at a high level right away, and the Buccaneers have shown they're willing to take offensive linemen early if there's value in doing so.  But with the addition of Carl Nicks and a hopefully slimmed-down Donald Penn the left side of the line is likely set. 

While I'd love to see someone come in and replace Jeremy Trueblood at right tackle, there's no way you take a position like that this early in the draft.  Kalil won't likely be on the board at five anyway.

No. 3: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

It's no secret the Buccaneers love their defensive ends, but unfortunately Simeon Rice isn't walking through that door.  They've tried their hands at replacing him early in the draft (Gaines Adams being the highest guy selected at No. 4 overall), but none have really wowed. 

If nothing else, it leaves a slightly bitter taste in your mouth to see these defensive ends underperform (I'm looking at you Stylez G. White).  That leads me to want to stay away from Ingram, especially after they took Adrian Clayborn and Da'Quan Bowers in the first two rounds of last year.

No. 4: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The reasoning for not wanting him is similar to Ingram's.  They've got a lot invested in top draft picks on the defensive line; it's time to let them step up and show what they've got.  It just doesn't make sense to draft defensive linemen year after year. 

No. 5: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Similar to Trent Richardson in that he has loads of talent, but doesn't really fit a need.  Floyd would have been a great pick before Vincent Jackson, but signing him gives them the flexibility to address issues elsewhere.  I can't imagine them taking a wide receiver in this year's draft, at least not early on.  That being said.....

No. 6: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

I don't see them taking him either, though I'd be okay with it.  He doesn't have elite speed or size, but he knows where to be on the field at the right times, has great hands and a knack for making big plays when they're needed most.  Had they not signed Vincent Jackson I think they'd take him, but they did, meaning he'd be an unlikely choice at best.

No. 7: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

He'd certainly fill a need, given that the Buccaneers don't really have a starter at either safety position assuming Sean Jones departs via free agency.  But Barron missed some pretty big games over his career at Alabama because of injury, including a bowl game against Michigan State, and he's also coming off sports hernia surgery. 

You also have to wonder if he's a little overhyped because Alabama was such a good defensive team. 

The Buccaneers Should Draft: Morris Claiborne, DB, LSU

He's the guy many mock drafts have the Buccaneers taking, and it makes sense.  They don't know what's going to happen with Aqib Talib's legal status, Ronde Barber is now 36 and newly-signed Eric Wright is a good, not great player. 

Claiborne was a star on possibly the top defense in the SEC this past season, and has experience playing both as an inside and outside corner.  Let him start the year as the third guy behind Barber and Talib/Wright, and then he can take over for Ronde when the time comes for him to step away from the game.