NFL Draft 2012: Top Prospects Who Won't Enjoy Immediate Success

Being a top NFL prospect includes increased exposure and recognition for a player's collegiate accolades. This territory, however, also includes a tough situation as a rookie that's expected to make a big and immediate impact.

We've seen several first-rounders crumble like JaMarcus Russell, Charles Rogers and Lawrence Phillips; but that doesn't mean a poor rookie campaign leads to career failure either.

To that end, let's take a gander at potential landing places for these first-rounders that put them in rough situations for immediate success.

Trent Richardson: RB, Cleveland Browns

The Browns ranked No. 28 in rushing and No. 24 in passing last season. They averaged just 13.6 points per game, and the line allowed 39 sacks on the season.

Trent Richardson is undoubtedly the best option for Cleveland to build a balanced attack, because he will get solid yards after contact, hit the lanes quickly and be reliable as a pass-blocker and checks-down receiver.

Still, opponents will zero in on Richardson all season to limit the threat of a play-action pass and keep bringing pressure to Colt McCoy. The Browns still lack any dominant receivers, so defenses will simply play man coverage and spy Richardson.

Now include Cleveland's tough schedule with the entire AFC West and NFC East on top of the AFC North, and Richardson will have to fight even harder for every yard.

Morris Claiborne: CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The good news for Morris Claiborne in Tampa Bay is that the Buccaneers have a more explosive offense this season.

The bad news is that the NFC South is pass-heavy and Claiborne will be challenged early and often all season. He definitely possesses the skill set to lock down half the field and help with perimeter run support, but last season, Carolina, Atlanta and New Orleans all ranked in the top-half for passing offense.

Tampa, unfortunately, ranked No. 21 against the pass and No. 32 against the run, and Claiborne will be expected to take on No. 1 targets right away.

That alone will slow down his production, and Claiborne will see a lot of runs to his side, double-moves, combination routes and play-action bootlegs to create tougher reads. On the bright side, this gets Claiborne fast experience and will immediately test his potential.

Ryan Tannehill: QB, Miami Dolphins

Last season the Miami Dolphins allowed 52 sacks, and the running game didn't pick up until the last few weeks of the year.

So, it's no secret the Dolphins need to field a more balanced offense and are in the midst of rebuilding. Ryan Tannehill is Miami's potential franchise quarterback to challenge Matt Moore for the starting role, and he does bring size, mobility and arm strength to the position.

The Dolphins, however, need to get some more threatening receiving targets and a more consistent ground game to keep defenses honest. Tannehill, though, didn't run a pro-style system at Texas A&M, was turnover-prone at times and only spent roughly 1.5 years at the helm.

His learning curve in transitioning to a pro-style system will take longer, as he was mostly in shotgun for the Aggies, and NFL defenses will blitz him all day. Tannehill's mobility will survive some pressure, but until he fully develops from under center and making quicker pre-snap reads, it's going to be a challenging season in South Florida.

Shea McClellin: DE, New England Patriots

The New England Patriots need a prospect who can develop into a complete defensive end. Boise State's Shea McClellin has that capability, as he did account for 20.5 sacks and force five fumbles during his career.

However, McClellin does come in a bit undersized and will get double-teamed quite often in the trenches. His quickness and explosiveness will easily benefit against any one-on-one situation, but the play recognition instincts must happen faster to split a double-team.

McClellin is a good run defender since he can slip blocks and get outside to anchor the edge. There will be difficulties in this area as a rookie though, because lead-blockers and pull guards will key on him to create the running lane.

Also, the more experienced offensive lineman will use McClellin's aggressiveness to take him out of plays. New England was quite vulnerable against the pass last season, and in order for opponents to move the rock consistently, isolating the new pass-rusher is the answer.

John Rozum onTwitter.