Statistical Projections for the NFL's Star-Crossed Class of Rookie QBs

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The 2012 NFL draft saw four quarterbacks taken in the first round. Those four signal-callers all have different backgrounds and will be entering vastly different situations as rookies during the 2012 NFL season.

They will always be compared to each other moving forward, and their stats will be lined up next to one another every season.

Here are my projected statistics for all four first-round quarterbacks as rookies in 2012.

Andrew Luck

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While Andrew Luck was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft, I don't expect him to have a huge year statistically.

The Indianapolis Colts can't surround him with the kind of talent that would help him post big numbers as a rookie. 

With a largely unproven offensive line and a suspect group of receivers that includes an aging Reggie Wayne, it will take Luck time to adjust to the NFL as a passer. The Stanford product will eventually be one of the best signal-callers in football, but it will take time for his numbers to reflect that.

Projected stats: 58 percent completions, 3,300 yards, 23 touchdowns, 18 interceptions. 

Robert Griffin III

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The Washington Redskins gave up three first-round picks and a second-rounder in order to move up to the No. 2 spot in the 2012 NFL draft and select Robert Griffin III.

The team obviously had confidence that he could step in and make a difference as a rookie and be the team's franchise quarterback for the future. 

Griffin will probably have the best numbers of the four first-round quarterbacks from the 2012 draft. He has a solid young core around him, with receiver Pierre Garcon, tight end Fred Davis and running back Roy Helu.

The Baylor product will be the focal point of Washington's offense and should put up decent numbers.

Projected statistics: 60 percent completions, 3,600 yards, 30 total touchdowns, 15 interceptions, 600 rushing yards.

Ryan Tannehill

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The Miami Dolphins took a risk and grabbed Ryan Tannehill with the eighth pick in the draft with an eye toward developing him into the team's franchise quarterback.

But the Texas A&M product isn't ready for the big time yet and probably won't start under center for a while.

I think Tannehill will end up playing at some point in 2012, possibly toward the end of the season when the Dolphins are firmly out of contention.

He will struggle, but there will be glimpses of talent under his raw exterior.

Projected statistics: 52 percent completions, 800 yards, four touchdowns, eight interceptions.

Brandon Weeden

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The Cleveland Browns shocked most observers when they took Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden with the 22nd pick in this year's draft.

The 28-year-old Weeden can certainly throw the ball, but his age and the fact that he has worked almost exclusively out of the shotgun in college are both working against him.

But it appears that the Browns want Weeden to start in 2012, and they will probably lean on him and running back Trent Richardson heavily. 

Projected statistics: 56 percent completions, 3,500 yards, 24 touchdowns, 20 interceptions.