NFL Draft 2012: Which Teams Must Find a QB in Round 1?

The Indianapolis Colts don't need to draft a quarterback. The St. Louis Rams definitely don't, either.

The two teams in the running for the No. 1 overall pick could very well be trading away the right to draft Stanford's Andrew Luck.

The Colts could draft him, yes, but they'd be handicapping Peyton Manning by doing so. The organization needs to make a decision on whether to try and win with Peyton in the next four years, or start over with Luck now. They cannot have it both ways and still be competitive.

So, again, the Colts don't only need to draft Luck if they plan on rebuilding.

There are several other teams that need quarterbacks in the first round, though.

Washington Redskins

The Mike Shanahan era has not gone as planned. The coach has botched two seasons with poor decision-making at the quarterback position, and the time has finally come for management and/or Shanahan to address it.

They weren't wrong in passing on Blaine Gabbert last year, but Christian Ponder looks like a potential franchise quarterback after taking over the same quarterback Washington attempted to start the year with in 2010, Donovan McNabb.

This year, Shanahan has to find someone to replace Rex Grossman and John Beck. That someone needs to be either Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III (assuming he goes pro).

If RG3 doesn't leave Baylor, the Redskins have no choice but take their best shot at getting up to No. 1 for Luck.

Washington, a three-time Super Bowl-winning organization, has been to the postseason only twice since 2000 and have yet to win the NFC East under Daniel Snyder's rule.

This all needs to change this year, or it never will.

Miami Dolphins

Matt Barkley pulling out of the draft hurts Miami more than any other team.

The Dolphins can't seriously go into next season believing Matt Moore can be an effective starter, and if they do, they'll be back in the race for Matt Barkley next year.

Miami will have a new coach on the sidelines, and if they find the right quarterback, this team may actually be able to compete.

Reggie Bush has rejuvenated his career and looks better than ever running the football. Rookie Daniel Thomas, if he stays healthy, is an ideal complement back, and they have a dominant No. 1 wide receiver in Brandon Marshall.

The once-porous defense has gotten better, and they are still very young.

Other than a coach, the only thing this team is missing is a quarterback.

Seattle Seahawks

Much like the Dolphins, Seattle actually has a chance to be competitive next year. They've won despite inconsistent play from Tarvaris "3rd-and-Long" Jackson and, at times, Charlie "Clipboard" Whitehurst.

Coach Pete Carroll has assembled a solid defensive core with young, fast players, and he has young offensive lineman (two of whom went down with injury this year) to build with.

They could certainly use a more consistent receiver, but a quarterback is the place to start.

Seattle certainly won't have a shot at Luck without trading up, and there is a great chance they won't see RG3 fall to them, either.

If Carroll wants to find the quarterback of the future, if it is in this draft, he'll need to move up for him.

Oklahoma's Landry Jones, if he declares, and Ryan Tannehill have first-round tools but aren't in the Luck or RG3 class.

Others to Consider

Cleveland Browns—Is Colt McCoy a franchise quarterback? They have two first-round picks to work their way up if they want to.

Buffalo Bills—They can get out of the Ryan Fitzpatrick contract if they want to without much damage.

Jacksonville Jaguars—New coach. New owner. New quarterback?