2012 NFL Mock Draft: Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Justin Blackmon Right Fit

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

OKState.com

By Alek Frost
Senior Writer

New York City's historic Radio City Music Hall will host the 77th annual NFL Draft beginning on April 26, 2012. Until that highly anticipated day, a plethora of NFL mock drafts will get published featuring a variety of results that will likely never come to fruition.

While this mock may be just that, a mock, we still have good reason for picking the right players for each teams' specific needs. Though we are willing to admit our most recent mock could wind up joining the millions of others circulating around the web, leaving you the reader with yet another unrealized draft day scenario. So without further delay, here is this writer's prognostications for the Top 10 selections of this year's draft.


1. Indianapolis Colts—Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Will Peyton Manning stay or will he go? The Jim Irsay-Manning drama, while distracting and for some fans disheartening, will have no effect on what the Colts do with the first overall pick. Andrew Luck is the complete package, and when you factor in Manning's health issues and his age, even if the four-time MVP returns for a smaller paycheck, Luck is the quarterback of the future for this franchise. It is a matter of when Luck will start, not where.


2. St. Louis Rams—Matt Kalil, OT, USC

This is definitely a prime place for a trade, but Jeff Fisher knows how crucial it is to have a franchise left tackle in today's pass happy NFL. And while he could stock up on draft picks with a trade out of this pick, he'll decide instead to protect his quarterback's blindside for the next decade.

This is a strong tackle draft but no tackle is more polished and more of a sure thing than Matt Kalil. The Rams could go three ways here with Kalil, Justin Blackmon or trading out of the pick to a team like Cleveland, Washington or Miami who would take Robert Griffin III. So it will be interesting to see how this one plays out.


3. TRADE: Washington Redskins—Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The Vikings luck out and land in a position to benefit from what Fisher decides not to do. The Vikings get several draft picks and Mike Shanahan gets his quarterback. Griffin III's physical talents and intangibles provide the Redskins with a franchise-caliber quarterback and someone who could possibly start in Week 1. Washington gives up a lot to secure their quarterback of the future but Griffin III is well worth the price of admission.


4. Cleveland Browns—Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Cleveland could trade up to get Griffin III, but their recent track record indicates they would rather trade down than trade up. In this case, the Browns stay put and get an explosive playmaker that will prove to be their workhorse for many years to come. Richardson is an all-purpose back, and will fit perfectly into the Browns' West Coast Offense that demands the featured back to pass block and catch passes out of the backfield in addition to running the ball.


5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers— Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The Buccaneers will be taking the best available approach in this year's draft and Blackmon is undoubtedly that at this point in the draft. While drafting Morris Claiborne would make a lot of sense here, giving Josh Freeman another weapon is a must.


6. TRADE: Minnesota Vikings— Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The Vikings traded out of their third overall pick and land the best cornerback in the draft. Minnesota ranked 26th in passing yards allowed per game in 2011, and with the likes of Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford and Jay Cutler within the division, defending the pass won't get any easier. The addition of Claiborne will automatically upgrade the Vikings' secondary and set them up for the future in a division that has turned into the Wild Wild Midwest.


7. Jacksonville Jaguars—Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Jaguars have plenty of areas they need to address, but finding a big target for quarterback Blaine Gabbert might be priority No. 1. If Jacksonville doesn't acquire a big name wide receiver in free agency, look for them to pounce on the best available at No. 7. At 6' 3" and 224 pounds, Floyd will provide Gabbert with the type of big play threat that Mike Thomas (5'8") simply can't. 


8. Carolina Panthers— Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The Panthers' defense has a glaring need at defensive tackle and while Brockers is a bit of a reach, Carolina was forced to start two rookies at tackle last year and need both depth and an upgrade in talent at the position. Brockers may not be an extremely effective pass rusher, but he has shown the ability to penetrate and will be of big help against the run.


9. Miami Dolphins— Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Dolphins may trade up to get Griffin III but if they stay put, a guy like Riley Reiff would give Miami one of, if not, the best left and right tackle tandems in the NFL. With Jake Long starting at left tackle Reiff could start right away at right tackle.

Reiff's length and run blocking ability would give Miami road graders on either side of the line and with the emergence of Reggie Bush as a feature back, the Dolphins will be well on their way to strengthening their rushing attack.


10. Buffalo Bills—Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The Bills were dreadful against the run in 2011 and sorely missed the presence of Paul Posluszny who left in free agency last offseason. Luke Kuechly is a tackling machine and should have no problem fitting in with Buffalo.


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More stories on the 2012 NFL Draft:
2012 NFL Mock Draft "What If?" Scenarios: What if the Indianapolis Colts Passed on Andrew Luck, What Would Happen?
2012 NFL Mock Draft: Trades Allow RG3, Trent Richardson and Justin Blackmon to Find New Homes