With the 2012 NFL draft fast approaching, we look our projected first round selections for picks five through eight. For our full list of predictions, please head on over and check out our NFL mock draft.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
If Richardson is still available when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still picking, then they will definitely jump at an opportunity to pick him. While Richardson seems ideal in Tampa, the Buccaneers have bigger holes to fill. Pass defense should be the No. 1 priority when the team is in an NFC South division that features Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and Cam Newton. Tampa Bay did add Eric Wright and re-signed Ronde Barber, but Barber is getting old and Aqib Talib is headed to prison. Morris Claiborne is the player that makes the most sense for the Buccaneers at No. 5. He is an elite cover corner with excellent ball skills who will make opposing quarterbacks pay if they throw in his direction.
6. St. Louis Rams: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
St. Louis has two major needs heading into this draft: a left tackle and a play-making wide out. We think they will take someone to protect quarterback Sam Bradford before someone that he can throw to, after all, he can't throw the ball if he spends all of his time on the turf like he did last season. For their new left tackle, we believe the Rams will take Riley Reiff out of Iowa. He is widely considered one of the best O-lineman in this draft and should be able to step in immediately to protect Bradford's blind side.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
The Jacksonville Jaguars have no other option but to take a shot on Michael Floyd from Notre Dame, as the Jaguars featured the worst receiving corps of any team in the NFL last year. Although the Jags may take him a few picks too early, Floyd is actually a pretty solid prospect whom they desperately need. At 6'3" and 220 lbs., Floyd has the speed and size needed to play in the NFL. Had Floyd played with a better quarterback in college, some experts would be more inclined to project him a little higher than they currently do. In his final year for Notre Dame, he had 100 catches for 1,147 yards and nine touchdowns. The Jaguars could end up trading the pick to move down and pick Floyd later in the first round.
8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
The Miami Dolphins have a lot of holes to fill on both sides of the ball, but we believe the pressure to find their next franchise quarterback will force them to take the best available quarterback in the draft, and most experts feel that is Ryan Tannehill. The fact that Miami's new offensive coordinator is Mike Sherman, who was Tannehill's head coach at A&M only increases the likelyhood of this pick.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
If Richardson is still available when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still picking, then they will definitely jump at an opportunity to pick him. While Richardson seems ideal in Tampa, the Buccaneers have bigger holes to fill. Pass defense should be the No. 1 priority when the team is in an NFC South division that features Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and Cam Newton. Tampa Bay did add Eric Wright and re-signed Ronde Barber, but Barber is getting old and Aqib Talib is headed to prison. Morris Claiborne is the player that makes the most sense for the Buccaneers at No. 5. He is an elite cover corner with excellent ball skills who will make opposing quarterbacks pay if they throw in his direction.
6. St. Louis Rams: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
St. Louis has two major needs heading into this draft: a left tackle and a play-making wide out. We think they will take someone to protect quarterback Sam Bradford before someone that he can throw to, after all, he can't throw the ball if he spends all of his time on the turf like he did last season. For their new left tackle, we believe the Rams will take Riley Reiff out of Iowa. He is widely considered one of the best O-lineman in this draft and should be able to step in immediately to protect Bradford's blind side.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
The Jacksonville Jaguars have no other option but to take a shot on Michael Floyd from Notre Dame, as the Jaguars featured the worst receiving corps of any team in the NFL last year. Although the Jags may take him a few picks too early, Floyd is actually a pretty solid prospect whom they desperately need. At 6'3" and 220 lbs., Floyd has the speed and size needed to play in the NFL. Had Floyd played with a better quarterback in college, some experts would be more inclined to project him a little higher than they currently do. In his final year for Notre Dame, he had 100 catches for 1,147 yards and nine touchdowns. The Jaguars could end up trading the pick to move down and pick Floyd later in the first round.
8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
The Miami Dolphins have a lot of holes to fill on both sides of the ball, but we believe the pressure to find their next franchise quarterback will force them to take the best available quarterback in the draft, and most experts feel that is Ryan Tannehill. The fact that Miami's new offensive coordinator is Mike Sherman, who was Tannehill's head coach at A&M only increases the likelyhood of this pick.
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