2012 NFL Draft: Top 5 Teams Likely to Pick a Quarterback

There will only be two big names at quarterback in the NFL draft this year, but there are far more teams that could use one.

Andrew Luck to the Indianapolis Colts is all but assured, but what about the other teams that are looking for a leader on offense?

With both Matt Barkley and Landry Jones returning to school, the pool of future starting quarterbacks has been drastically depleted.

This could lead to teams reaching early for quarterbacks, hoping that it will work out in the long-run for their franchises.

But what teams are most likely to select a quarterback in the 2012 NFL draft? And who will they have the best shot at drafting as a QB? In this top five, we explore the possible answers to these questions. 

5. Miami Dophins

At one time this season, the Miami Dolphins seemed to be the favorite in the "Suck for Luck" campaign, after losing their first seven games.

But now, not only did the Dolphins lose out on Luck, but they also have been denied the chance of drafting Matt Barkley, with the USC quarterback returning to school.

Also, the reality of the Dolphins trading up and getting Robert Griffin III is dwindling, a near forgone conclusion with Cleveland and Washington likely interested in moving up as well.

The Dolphins could always wait a year to draft a quarterback. Matt Moore surprised a lot of people in the second half of this season, but isn't considered the long-term answer at QB.

While they may not love the idea of Moore starting next season, selecting Ryan Tannehill at the spot they are currently drafting from would be a deep reach.

Of course, there's always the possibility of moving down on the draft board, and grabbing an extra pick or two to build around—but with Tannehill's foot issues, he's far from a sure-fire draft choice.

4. Washington Redskins

The Washington Redskins could be in consideration if the Colts decide to trade Peyton Manning before next season.

But the 'Skins may be taking a quarterback in the draft instead. Though the Browns are likely the front-runner in trading up for Robert Griffin III, Washington still finds themselves in a spot to take the second overall pick via trade.

After seeing Washington's quarterback-play this season, it's clear that they are quite inadequate at the position, to say the least, with John Beck and Rex Grossman taking the snaps.

So do they trade for a QB? Well, they may be behind in the Manning sweepstakes, if there really is one, and no matter what Dan Snyder throws at the Indianapolis Colts money-wise, they aren't getting Andrew Luck.

A week ago, most would have considered Landry Jones the answer in D.C. Now, there's much uncertainty moving forward for the Redskins, and in the most valuable position.

So where do the Redskins go? Well, there's always overspending for Matt Flynn or Kyle Orton. That is a trait of Snyder's, after all.

But don't rule out the likelihood of them moving up in the draft or taking a chance on a quarterback past the first round.

3. Seattle Seahawks

After one season as a full-time starter, there's much thought in Seattle that Tarvaris Jackson will not develop into a solid, or even above-average, NFL quarterback.

The Seahawks will select either 11th or 12th in this year's draft, determined by a coin-flip with Kansas City. Either way, they may strongly consider Ryan Tannehill to become their next starting quarterback.

Sure, it's certainly not Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III or Matt Barkley, had he declared. Matter of fact, Landry Jones would have been a better choice had he skipped his senior year at Oklahoma.

But Tannehill may be worth the chance for the Seahawks, and has been considered by many as the player Seattle will take with their first selection.

Another alternatives for the Seahawks could be drafting Arizona's Nick Foles in the second round, or doing risky business by grabbing Brock Osweiler in the third round.

With either of those being selected, the Seahawks would certainly have a battle at the helm of starting quarterback when training camp opens. But with Tannehill, the Seahawks would likely lean to him in that starting role.

2. Cleveland Browns

Let's face it. Robert Griffin made the Baylor Bears worth watching. Now, he could have an opportunity to do the same with the Cleveland Browns.

And the Browns desperately need him, after their only big name player (and Madden cover-man), Peyton Hillis, struggled through Cleveland's 2011 campaign.

For every day that goes by, the Browns realize more and more that Colt McCoy is not the future at the quarterback position.

Enter RG3, who they would have to move up to get, but who certainly would put a spark in Cleveland's offense. As long as Pat Shurmur can adjust his offense, which is way easier said than done, to fit Griffin's many attributes, the quarterback should, over time, flourish in the NFL.

There are the most outside of possibilities that St. Louis decides to use their second pick on RG3, or even Indy selecting him first overall, but I think we can put any rumor of that sort to rest.

Even if the St. Louis Rams pick Justin Blackmon (they could still pick him if they moved back) second in the draft, the Browns would still be in great position to snatch Griffin, with the Minnesota Vikings expected to move forward with Christian Ponder.

1. Indianapolis Colts

If you were waiting for some big surprise, you're not going to find one here.

Even though this team doesn't need a quarterback like many other teams do, barring a drastic change of thought, the Colts will select Andrew Luck first overall.

Luck has long-been the heir to the No. 1 selection, and we shouldn't expect that to change. Then again, that's also what we said about the Heisman before the mania of RG3 arrived.

But even if the Colts were to shock the world and pick the other All-Everything quarterback in the draft, it's still taking from the same position.

And just to know, in the midst of all of this, is a guy who has won four MVPs, been selected to 11 Pro Bowl teams and has won a Super Bowl title.

That's how high everyone is on Luck—that even if Peyton Manning shows many a sign of improvement by April, the Colts will still select one of, if not the biggest quarterback prospect of all time.