2012 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting Later-Round QBs

With Oklahoma's Landry Jones and USC's Matt Barkley choosing to return to their respective teams in 2012, there are just two quarterbacks worth drafting in the first round this year.

But there are other quarterbacks of note available in this year's NFL draft, players who are guaranteed to find themselves a professional home and perhaps earn themselves a starting position, even if not in their rookie year.

Topping that list is Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill, a player who has seen his draft stock rise and fall seemingly with every game he's played this year.

Tannehill started his college career at wide receiver, but he took over the quarterback position during the 2010 season. He ended the year with a 65 percent completion rate, for 1,638 yards, 13 scores and six interceptions and led the team to six consecutive wins.

He only improved in 2011, throwing for 3,744 yards, 29 scores and 15 interceptions. Though those interceptions have turned off a few scouts, leaving his status in doubt, there's still a solid chance that Tannehill could be a late first-round pick come draft day.

Also intriguing for a team needing a change at quarterback is Arizona's Nick Foles. Foles has put up strong individual performances in his past two seasons despite being at the helm of a team that went 4-8 in 2011.

This season, Foles threw for 4,334 yards, completed 69.1 percent of his passes and threw 28 touchdowns to 14 interceptions. He's more of a traditional pocket passer, but still has developing to do, especially when it comes to his slightly elongated throwing motion.

Foles would be a worthwhile second- or third-round pick in 2012 and will need time on the bench before he should be named a starter.

But considering how many quarterbacks were selected in the first round of the 2011 draft—and started in their rookie years—Foles may find himself with quite the choice opportunity this year.

Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins isn't likely to be drafted to start in 2012, considering that he's a bit rough around the edges, but he should generate enough interest to be picked in the second or third round.

In 2011, Cousins completed 267 of his 419 passes, for 3,316 yards, 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He ran a pro-style offense at Michigan State that should help him in his development in the NFL, and he's quite adept at reading defenses.

Cousins has a relatively weak arm, however, and is more successful when throwing screen passes and short and intermediate balls. He could benefit from learning behind a veteran quarterback and having a quarterbacks coach willing to extensively work on his delivery.

If Cousins can evolve into a starting-caliber quarterback, he'll be quite the talent to watch. Though not flashy, his intelligence and ability to play through injuries will make him quite the commodity for a team looking to draft a quality backup quarterback for 2012.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft (Order of Picks 25-32 TBD)

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14), Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

2. St. Louis Rams (2-14) Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13) Matt Kalil, OT, USC

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12), Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12) Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

6. Washington Redskins (5-11) Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11) Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

8. Carolina Panthers (6-10) Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU (coin flip)

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10) Reilly Reiff, OT, Iowa (coin flip)

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10) Melvin Ingram, LB, South Carolina

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9) Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford (coin flip)

11. Seattle Seahawks (7-9) Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois (coin flip)

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8) David DeCastro, G, Stanford

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8) Mark Barron, S, Alabama

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8) Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

16. New York Jets (8-8) Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

17. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) (traded from Oakland) LaMichael James, RB, Oregon

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8) Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama

19. Chicago Bears (8-8) Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7) Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia

22. Cleveland Browns (4-12) (traded from Atlanta) Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

23. Detroit Lions (10-6) Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

25. Denver Broncos (8-8) Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

26. New York Giants (9-7) Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

27. Houston Texans (10-6) Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

28. San Francisco 49ers (13-3) Janoris Jenkins, CB, N. Alabama

29. New England Patriots (13-3) Nick Perry, LB, USC

30. Green Bay Packers (15-1) Brandon Jenkins, DE, Florida State

31. Baltimore Ravens (12-4) Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

32. New England Patriots (13-3) (traded from New Orleans) Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska