Oklahoma RB Adrian Peterson scored 39 touchdowns over the past three seasons

Oklahoma RB Adrian Peterson scored 39 touchdowns over the past three seasons

The NFL Draft is always full of uncertainty, but this year the Tampa Bay Buccaneers know this, at least: picking either third or fourth overall, they will be in position to select one of the most highly-regarded prospects in the nation.

Hitting on a pick that high could mean landing a player the likes of Julius Peppers, LaDainian Tomlinson or Peyton Manning – all players selected within the first five picks of their respective drafts and all players who are unquestionably dominant at their positions.

But, of course, missing on a selection that high can also spell serious disappointment – think Ki-Jana Carter, Tony Mandarich or Ryan Leaf levels of disappointment. Again, those are all players picked within the first five picks of the draft, but ones who it’s safe to say didn’t live up to their advanced draft billing.

It’s a high-risk, high-reward scenario, but that’s what makes owning an early draft pick so exciting. Certainly, every pick in the draft has the chance to come up big or fall exceedingly short (witness Marques Colston), but top-10 selections are magnified. Maybe that’s because – with the exceptions of the Tom Bradys, who just don’t come around that often – no other pick in the draft has as much potential to impact the direction of a franchise.

With that in mind, Buccaneers.com on Monday began its examination of 10 collegiate standouts considered by several mock drafts to be potential top-10 selections in this April’s draft. Those players, presented alphabetically, included DE Gaines Adams, DT Alan Branch, CB Leon Hall, WR Dwayne Jarrett and WR Calvin Johnson.

S LaRon Landry, RB Adrian Peterson, QB Brady Quinn, QB JaMarcus Russell and T Joe Thomas round out that bunch of highly talented prospects and are discussed in greater detail below.

And while there’s been no indication given by Buccaneers coaches, scouts or executive personnel regarding whom the team is considering drafting – or even if he’s included among these players – each of these athletes is almost certain to pique the interest of nearly any team with a high draft pick.

LaRon Landry, S LSU– It’s relatively rare for a safety to be selected early in the first round, but seeing what Roy Williams and Sean Taylor have done for their respective defenses, it’s not out of the question to see Landry go very early. All indications are that he’s got playmaking ability similar to that of Williams and Taylor. If the Buccaneers are looking to retool their defense, Landry’s a good player with whom to start. A lean free safety who excels in coverage, the 6-2, 202-pound Landry seems to have a nose for the ball when it’s in the air, and he consistently made things happen for the Tigers, picking off 11 passes while patrolling the backfield. He’s not afraid to get his nose dirty either, averaging 77 tackles a season for his collegiate career.

Adrian Peterson, RB Oklahoma– When he’s been healthy, the explosive Adrian Peterson has been head and shoulders above all other backs in college football, rushing for a whopping 39 touchdowns in three seasons with the Sooners. As a true freshman, Adrian Peterson burst onto the scene, rushing for 1,925 yards. He followed that performance with a 1,108-yard sophomore season and had amassed 935 yards in only six games this past year before having his junior year cut short with a broken collarbone. AT 6-2 and 218 pounds, Adrian Peterson has the size and strength to run between the tackles and pick up the tough yards, but he’s got the speed to get to the edge and turn any run into a game-breaker. That combination will help him reinvigorate the running game of whatever team chooses the former Oklahoma star.

Brady Quinn, QB Notre Dame– Some team somewhere is going to look at Quinn and see its quarterback-of-the-future – and for good reason. In the last two seasons under Head Coach Charlie Weis – a man who knows a thing or two about pro-style offenses – Quinn has put up some gaudy numbers, throwing 69 touchdowns against only 14 interceptions in 24 games. He also surpassed 3,400 yards passing in both his junior and senior seasons. His 6-4, 227-pound frame is the prototypical size for a pocket passer, and he’s received much praise for his ability to read defenses. It’s highly unlikely Quinn will be asked to step into a starting lineup right away, but in time he could be the face of his franchise.

JaMarcus Russell, QB LSU– Russell forced the nation to take note of his freakishly athletic skills during this year’s Sugar Bowl – a game in which he and his team were overshadowed in the weeks leading up to the contest by their opponent, Notre Dame and quarterback Brady Quinn. But by the time the game was over, all anyone was talking about was LSU’s 41-14 victory and Russell’s performance. Completing 21 of 34 passes for 332 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for a score, the 6-6, 257-pound Russell stole the show. Possessing the arm strength to make any throw on the field, the linebacker-sized quarterback also displays exceptional field vision, tossing just eight interceptions this past season while connecting on 28 touchdown passes. While most still view Russell as a work in progress, many believe he has the potential to be a work of art.

Joe Thomas, OT Wisconsin– There’s no such thing as too much depth on the offensive line. Manning the trenches is a brutal and demanding job, and O-linemen are likely to get nicked up or worse over the course of a season. That’s why the Buccaneers are just as likely to give the massive Thomas as much consideration as any other player on this list. Well, that and the fact that potential superstar left tackles don’t come around that often. An All-American each of his past two seasons, the athletic Thomas (who played tight end and defensive end before assuming full-time left tackle responsibilities for the Badgers) is widely considered the best offensive lineman in the draft. At 6-8 and 313 pounds, Thomas can overpower his man, but he’s agile enough despite his size to account for speed rushers as well. Equally adept at pass and run blocking, Thomas is projected to be a Pro Bowl caliber player for years to come at the crucial left tackle position.

There you have it – 10 players who are projected to have enormous impact on the clubs who draft them this April. Who will the Buccaneers select? That’s the organization’s best kept secret and will remain so for a good while. It’s even subject to change based on a variety of factors sure to include combine numbers, personal interviews and other workouts. Still, it’s not unlikely that any of these 10 players could don the pewter and red next season, making them all worth a look.

[More at www.buccaneers.com ]