2012 NFL Draft Order: Projecting All First-Round QB Picks

The 2011 NFL regular season came to an end Sunday night, and we now have solid locks for the first 20 teams that will pick in the 2012 NFL draft (the full list is included below). 

With the first 20 picks set in stone (for the most part; four positions will be determined via two coin flips at the combine), let's take a quick look at where teams could draft quarterbacks in the first round. 

Andrew Luck, Stanford

With Luck, I think we're looking at just a couple of scenarios that could play out. The first, and most likely, is that the Indianapolis Colts take Luck first overall in April.

The Colts need a future at the quarterback position beyond Peyton Manning, and they've been handed a golden opportunity to transition from a surefire Hall of Famer to the most highly regarded college football prospect since Manning. If Luck pans out, the Colts are set at the position for at least another 10-12 years.

It's an opportunity they really can't pass up.

The only other option is the Colts trading out of the pick for an insane bounty. Some quarterback-needy team that wasn't sold on the next guy on our list could match the asking price for the first pick. Still, the most likely scenario unfolding here is Luck wearing a Colts cap come April. 

Robert Griffin III, Baylor

Once Luck comes off the board, then a mad race for Griffin III could ensue. Baylor's Heisman Trophy winning quarterback should have plenty of suitors willing to take him when their pick comes around or trade up to the top to get him.

The Cleveland Browns at No. 4 make a lot of sense, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if a team like the Washington Redskins or Miami Dolphins found a way to trade up to No. 2 or 3. Either way, Griffin should almost certainly be off the board in the first 4-6 picks.

Landry Jones, Oklahoma

I'm not 100 percent sold on the fact that Jones should be picked anywhere near the first round, but we've seen too many examples in the past of teams taking quarterbacks astronomically high despite pre-draft worries. The same could happen with Jones, especially with so many teams in need of an upgrade at quarterback.

The best shot for Jones to find a spot in the first-round might be on a team that has a quarterback but needs a young player to develop at that position. Jones is certainly a guy that needs to sit and learn before starting an NFL game. A team such as the Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs or Denver Broncos could be an option. 

2012 NFL Draft order

1.	Indianapolis Colts
2.	St. Louis Rams
3.	Minnesota Vikings
4.	Cleveland Browns
5.	Tampa Bay Buccaneers
6.	Washington Redskins
7.	Jacksonville Jaguars
8.	Carolina Panthers
9.	Miami Dolphins
10.	Buffalo Bills
11.	Seattle Seahawks
12.	Kansas City Chiefs
13.	Arizona Cardinals
14.	Dallas Cowboys
15.	Philadelphia Eagles
16.	New York Jets
17.	Cincinnati Bengals (from Raiders)
18.	San Diego Chargers
19.	Chicago Bears
20.	Tennessee Titans
21.	Denver Broncos
22.	New York Giants
23.	Cincinnati Bengals
24.	Detroit Lions
25.	Cleveland Browns (from Falcons)
26.	Houston Texans
27.	Pittsburgh Steelers
28.	New Orleans Saints
29.	Baltimore Ravens
30.	San Francisco 49ers
31.	New England Patriots
32.	Green Bay Packers

*Picks 20-32 determined on playoff results