With less than two weeks until the 2012 NFL Draft, no transaction is without consequences in the NFL.
Consider the Buccaneers upcoming #5 pick. A couple weeks ago, it seemed the Buccaneers would get to choose between Alabama running back Trent Richardson and LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne. Then free agency started.
It was not the Buccaneer's head first dive into free agency this season which may have changed their draft fortunes. The Kansas City Chiefs signed running back Peyton Hillis away from the Browns, leaving Cleveland with two rookie and two second year running backs, only one of which ran for more than 20 total yards last season.
Richardson would be a solid prospect to add to the Buccaneers lineup. However, many draft rankings have Richardson as the only running back in the 2012 NFL Draft with Round 1 credentials, and clearly the Browns need another runner. Richardson is the obvious need, and many predict the Browns will select him, but consider this: if no other running backs are selected after Richardson, there could still be a solid running back prospect on the board for Cleveland in Round 2. It's far from a done deal but it does make a lot of sense both from a need and a value perspective.
So it could be that the Kansas City Chiefs, with a free agency pick-up which went down with little fanfare, may have guaranteed the Buccaneers select Morris Claiborne, CB from LSU, with the #5 pick.
It's all related now.
Showing posts with label Morris Claiborne. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Morris Claiborne. Show all posts
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Thursday, March 1, 2012
A solid 1-2-3 draft scenario for Tampa Bay
With the arrival of March and the combine completed, it's time to start looking a bit deeper into prospects for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2012 NFL Draft. And, almost immediately, a very intriguing first three selections stands out to demonstrate the possible value the Buccaneers could get from young talent this year.
Round 1, selection #5: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU (5'11", 188 lbs)
Not only is Claiborne one of the top athletes in the 2012 NFL Draft, he also plays a position which brings great value to the pick. A corner who can play solid man-to-man on an island outside not only can create issues for the opposing team's best wide receiver, he allows safeties/nickels to roll up in run support. Claiborne would also be a fantastic addition to an already young group of defensive backs on the roster, providing depth where every team wants it. In addition, by the time the Buccaneers select again, three more of the top corner prospects could be gone.
Round 2, selection #36: David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech (5'10", 206 lbs)
As much as I would like the Buccaneers to go offensive line here, the ACC Player Of The Year could still be on the board. Wilson had 1,709 yards on 290 carries with nine touchdowns last year and is a shifty, make-you-miss type of runner. He is an early entry player and will take some time investment from the Buccaneers. But he has the potential to be an excellent playmaker as well as keep the pressure on opposing defenses when Blount has to come off the field in passing situations. This is also a solid value pick, as some rating services have Wilson rated as the second best running back in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Round 3, selection #69: George Iloka, FS, Boise State (6'4", 225 lbs)
Iloka is the top-rated free safety in the 2012 NFL Draft and a freak at his position. He is very solid in run support and is not afraid to tackle. Considering the big plays and poor tackling in the Buccaneers secondary last season, this is not only a solid replacement for Sean Jones (8th year) or Tanard Jackson (4th year) sometime down the road, Iloka can provide immediate depth and rotation for Cody Grimm who has yet to avoid IR for a full season since being drafted two years ago. Add in the selection of Ahmad Black in 2011 and the safety position is set for the next several years.
These three picks would settle the running back and safety positions for the next 3-5 years as well as provide a top-level talent in the cornerback ranks. With the combine over, some of these talents may move up the draft board and not be available when Tampa Bay is on the clock.
Nonetheless, these three men will get a solid look from the Buccaneers.
Round 1, selection #5: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU (5'11", 188 lbs)
Not only is Claiborne one of the top athletes in the 2012 NFL Draft, he also plays a position which brings great value to the pick. A corner who can play solid man-to-man on an island outside not only can create issues for the opposing team's best wide receiver, he allows safeties/nickels to roll up in run support. Claiborne would also be a fantastic addition to an already young group of defensive backs on the roster, providing depth where every team wants it. In addition, by the time the Buccaneers select again, three more of the top corner prospects could be gone.
Round 2, selection #36: David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech (5'10", 206 lbs)
As much as I would like the Buccaneers to go offensive line here, the ACC Player Of The Year could still be on the board. Wilson had 1,709 yards on 290 carries with nine touchdowns last year and is a shifty, make-you-miss type of runner. He is an early entry player and will take some time investment from the Buccaneers. But he has the potential to be an excellent playmaker as well as keep the pressure on opposing defenses when Blount has to come off the field in passing situations. This is also a solid value pick, as some rating services have Wilson rated as the second best running back in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Round 3, selection #69: George Iloka, FS, Boise State (6'4", 225 lbs)
Iloka is the top-rated free safety in the 2012 NFL Draft and a freak at his position. He is very solid in run support and is not afraid to tackle. Considering the big plays and poor tackling in the Buccaneers secondary last season, this is not only a solid replacement for Sean Jones (8th year) or Tanard Jackson (4th year) sometime down the road, Iloka can provide immediate depth and rotation for Cody Grimm who has yet to avoid IR for a full season since being drafted two years ago. Add in the selection of Ahmad Black in 2011 and the safety position is set for the next several years.
These three picks would settle the running back and safety positions for the next 3-5 years as well as provide a top-level talent in the cornerback ranks. With the combine over, some of these talents may move up the draft board and not be available when Tampa Bay is on the clock.
Nonetheless, these three men will get a solid look from the Buccaneers.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Blount and Richardson could share the backfield
With the fifth pick in the upcoming draft, many prognosticators have elected to peg the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the selection of CB Morris Claiborne from LSU. This makes it all the more fun to talk about other options.
One possibility is running back Trent Richardson from the University of Alabama. Richardson seems to be considered (pre-combine) one of the top two overall talents this year (with the other being Claiborne). At 5'11" and 225 lbs, he has the prototypical size of an NFL tailback.
With LeGarrette Blount on the roster this would seem to be a odd move. But the Buccaneers could make it work. A pro-set with split backs comes to mind, or mixed formations like the Alstott/Dunn tandem from the turn of the century, with Blount becoming more of a fullback (think "inside tailback") and Richardson being the speed (think "edge tailback").
The only thing which gives pause to this idea is the passing game. It was widely reported that Blount was unable to catch on to the passing schemes of departed offensive coordinator Greg Olson. However, a new system and a new, simpler scheme could make those concerns disappear quickly. Blount showed last season he can be a receiver out of the backfield by catching 15 passes for 149 yards. Richardson also has shown promise as a pass catcher by snaring 29 passes for 338 yards last season (full stat sheet).
If the Buccaneers are still not comfortable with Blount and pass protection, they have been grooming Kregg Lumpkin for the 3rd down back role, plus undrafted free agent RB Mossis Madu from Oklahoma showed promise last season. Richardson could be spelled by Earnest Graham, provided Graham has a solid recovery and rehabilitation get him back in prime shape for the upcoming season.
Picking Richardson at #5 would give the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a backfield of outstanding young runners comparable to any tandem in the league. If new Head Coach Greg Shiano is looking for a dominating running attack, this may be the right way to go with the first selection of his NFL career.
One possibility is running back Trent Richardson from the University of Alabama. Richardson seems to be considered (pre-combine) one of the top two overall talents this year (with the other being Claiborne). At 5'11" and 225 lbs, he has the prototypical size of an NFL tailback.
With LeGarrette Blount on the roster this would seem to be a odd move. But the Buccaneers could make it work. A pro-set with split backs comes to mind, or mixed formations like the Alstott/Dunn tandem from the turn of the century, with Blount becoming more of a fullback (think "inside tailback") and Richardson being the speed (think "edge tailback").
The only thing which gives pause to this idea is the passing game. It was widely reported that Blount was unable to catch on to the passing schemes of departed offensive coordinator Greg Olson. However, a new system and a new, simpler scheme could make those concerns disappear quickly. Blount showed last season he can be a receiver out of the backfield by catching 15 passes for 149 yards. Richardson also has shown promise as a pass catcher by snaring 29 passes for 338 yards last season (full stat sheet).
If the Buccaneers are still not comfortable with Blount and pass protection, they have been grooming Kregg Lumpkin for the 3rd down back role, plus undrafted free agent RB Mossis Madu from Oklahoma showed promise last season. Richardson could be spelled by Earnest Graham, provided Graham has a solid recovery and rehabilitation get him back in prime shape for the upcoming season.
Picking Richardson at #5 would give the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a backfield of outstanding young runners comparable to any tandem in the league. If new Head Coach Greg Shiano is looking for a dominating running attack, this may be the right way to go with the first selection of his NFL career.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)