2012 NFL Mock Draft: Why Robert Griffin III Is Worth the No. 2 Pick

Today sources have reported that 2011 Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III will announce his intentions to forgo his senior season and enter the 2012 NFL draft. That decision, though expected, combined with USC quarterback Matt Barkley's announcement that he will return to school has shaken things up at the top of the upcoming draft.

Griffin proved this season that he is not only an electric playmaker, but that he can win games with his arm as well. While it appears that either the St. Louis Rams or Indianapolis Colts (teams without a serious need at quarterback) will end up with the second pick in the draft, don't be surprised if a quarterback-needy team trades all the way up to No. 2 in order to grab Griffin. At this point he certainly seems worthy of being taken there.

There are questions about the Baylor signal-caller's size, ability to run a pro-style offense and whether or not he could throw the ball consistently down the field at the NFL. From my analysis of Griffin after watching about a dozen of his games over the past two seasons, he has continued to improve as a passer. In fact, I think he has gotten legitimately better in every game I've watched.

He has also altered his throwing motion, which has resulted in much better accuracy, particularly on downfield throws. He finished the 2011 season completing 72.4 percent of his passes, which is astonishingly high for a guy considered a dual-threat quarterback.

Griffin will likely measure out to just under 6'2" at the NFL combine, which some teams will consider a knock on him. While his size isn't ideal, I think his incredible athleticism makes up for any deficiencies in that area. 

When you throw in the fact that Griffin is a phenomenal kid with fantastic intangibles who teams will fall in love with during the interview process, you realize that he could very well end up being the second player taken. 

Whoever does end up with Griffin will be getting a guy that is completely worthy of being the face of an NFL franchise even if he doesn't turn into a perennial Pro Bowler.

2012 NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck	17. Cincinnati Bengals: Alfonzo Dennard
2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon	18. San Diego Chargers: Peter Konz
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil	19. Chicago Bears: Mike Adams
4.Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson	20. Tennessee Titans: Whitney Mercilus
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne	21. Cincinnati Bengals: Mark Barron
6. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III	22.New York Giants: Vontaze Burfict
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Alshon Jeffery	23. Denver Broncos: Devon Still
8. Carolina Panthers: Dre Kirkpatrick	24. Cleveland Browns: Nick Toon
9. Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff	25. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown
10. Buffalo Bills: Jonathan Martin	26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright
11. Seattle Seahawks: Lamar Miller	27. Baltimore Ravens: Melvin Ingram
12. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro	28. New England Patriots: Jared Crick
13. Arizona Cardinals: Cordy Glenn	29. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dontari Poe
14. Dallas Cowboys: Janoris Jenkins	30. San Francisco 49ers: Mohamed Sanu
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Floyd	31. New England Patriots: Stephon Gilmore
16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw	32. Green Bay Packers: Quinton Coples