Tampa Bay’s Hiring of Greg Schiano Could Mean Trent Richardson for Bucs

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are reportedly close to hiring Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano, per Adam Schefter at ESPN. This move could have a big impact on their 2012 NFL Draft plans.

Schiano is a defensive coach but he also is a ball control coach, so the Buccaneers have a couple of options with their first round pick (fifth overall). I think right now, you could pin-point it down to either Alabama running back Trent Richardson or LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne.

The Bucs could be losing Aqib Talib this offseason and Ronde Barber is probably close to being done as an NFL player. So, the logical move would be to draft Morris Claiborne, right?

I think right now, that has to be the smartest move but don’t put it past the Bucs right now to go after the Heisman trophy finalist, running back Trent Richardson. Richardson would complement LeGarrette Blount really well, and the Bucs’ running back depth is pathetic right now. Adding a playmaker like that could be the spark that Tampa Bay offense needs going forward.

Many people think the smart pick at five overall is Claiborne, but some people don’t think the Bucs would pass on Richardson if he were on the board, which he likely will be.