2012 NFL Mock Draft: Teams That Must Snag QB of the Future

If 2011 taught us anything, it’s how important a good quarterback is.

If you start the year with a washed-up veteran or an over-matched rookie, your season is going to be over in a hurry. This year there are going to be options like Matt Flynn available via free agency and others via trade.

But we all know the best way to find your quarterback of the future is through the draft. Here are three teams that will ignore other options and focus their efforts on drafting a QB.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, Stanford

This one is a no-brainer.

Peyton Manning’s neck is going to be the most talked-about body part in the country over the next three months, but I think they draft Andrew Luck regardless. He possesses all of the physical and mental tools to be an incredible pro, and his ceiling is simply too high to pass up.

The Colts “Lucked” out to have the worst record in 2011.

6. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, Baylor

The ‘Skins were screwed when Matt Barkley returned to school. He was the prototypical pocket passer that coach Mike Shanahan covets so much.

With Luck and Barkley unavailable, RGIII is the next best option. Washington is going to spend the entire offseason preparing for his unique ability to flush the pocket and run, but as long as Shanahan is willing to budge a bit on his stubborn ways, Griffin III should revitalize a franchise that is in desperate need of a boost.

28. San Francisco 49ers: Landry Jones, Oklahoma

Sorry 49er fans, Alex Smith is not the long-term answer. I know they just drafted Colin Kaepernick in the second round, but they can’t pass up Jones this far down in the first round.

The junior QB has incredible arm strength, mental toughness, willingness to play through pain and the work ethic to succeed at the next level right now. At 6'4", 230 pounds, he is the ideal size for a pocket passer. He would have been a top-10 pick if the Sooners had a better season.

The 49ers can allow Smith start in 2012 and let Jones back him up and learn the pro game. As for Kaepernick? Get rid of the mistake they made last year by trading him.

Eric Ball’s 2012 NFL Mock Draft

Note: The first 20 picks are set in stone (with the exception of a few coin flips). Picks 21-32 are based off playoff projections.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

2. St. Louis Rams: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

3. Minnesota Vikings: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

6. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

8. Carolina Panthers (Subject to coin flip): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

9. Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

10. Buffalo Bills: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

11. Kansas City Chiefs (Subject to coin flip): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

12. Seattle Seahawks: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

13. Arizona Cardinals: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

14. Dallas Cowboys: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

16. New York Jets: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland): Cordy Glenn, OT, Georgia

18. San Diego Chargers: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

19. Chicago Bears: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

20. Tennessee Titans: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

21. Denver Broncos: Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State

22. New York Giants: Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

23. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

24. Detroit Lions: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

25. Houston Texans: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

26. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

27. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

28. San Francisco 49ers: Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont’a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

30. New England Patriots (from Saints): Chris Polk, RB, Washington

31. New England Patriots: Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska

32. Green Bay Packers: Markelle Martin, S, Oklahoma State