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2012 NFL Mock Draft: Morris Claiborne Gives Bucs Some Depth

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have one of the more interesting situations in the 2012 NFL Draft. After spending oodles of cash to make roster upgrades in free agency, the team opened up more options for the fifth pick in the draft. In the latest 2012 NFL Mock Draft from SB Nation, the Bucs make a move to help their defense.

In this scenario, the Bucs take LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne.

Ronde Barber began his NFL career when Apple was a struggling company. Aqib Talib goes on trial in June for assault with a deadly weapon. They need some help in the secondary, and Claiborne is too good to pass up here. They can easily find a complementary running back to pair with LeGarrette Blount later in the draft.

Trent Richardson and another pass rusher like Quinton Coples or Melvin Ingram would also be options here. Claiborne is the best defensive player in the draft this year, and with the new rookie salary schedule, taking cornerbacks in the top five is no longer cost prohibitive.

For more on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit SB Nation's Buccaneers blog Bucs Nation. For more on the NFL Draft, visit SB Nation's Mocking The Draft.

Photographs by cstreet.us, thelastminute, turtlemom nancy , fesek, kthypryn, justinwright, sue_elias, pointnshoot, and scrapstothefuture used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.