2012 NFL Mock Draft: Which Teams Will Take a QB in First Round?

Quarterback is the most important position in football, plain and simple. When a team has an elite one, it is a contender regardless of how average the rest of the team is, as Peyton Manning has illustrated over the past decade for the Indianapolis Colts.

On the flip side, if a team lacks a playmaker at the vital position, it has very little margin for error elsewhere on the roster. So it's always better to build a team around a quarterback when possible because the path to success is a lot more clear.

Here's a full mock draft of the first round featuring the quarterbacks who will be selected to lead their new franchises to the promised land.

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

Luck is truly a generational talent. A prospect with as much potential as him won't be seen for at least another decade and probably longer. He has all the traits a team wants in a young quarterback and the extra season at Stanford should ensure the transition period is minimal.

Even though Peyton Manning is hopeful of returning to the field next season, the Colts can't let another season hinge on his health. He's done great things for the franchise, but it's time for the team to prepare an exit strategy just in case No. 18 isn't able to get back under center.

Some people may criticize the pick because the Colts have so many other needs to fill, especially on defense. But they have had a lot of success in the past despite a lack of elite performers on that side of the ball and would be able to do so again with Luck at the helm.

2. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Sam Bradford is a fragile franchise quarterback, Kalil will help protect him.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Claiborne dominated at LSU and there's no reason to believe he won't do the same in Minnesota.

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

It takes a special running back to get selected early now a days. Richardson certainly matches that description.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Kirkpatrick will continue to challenge Claiborne for the top corner distinction.

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

There's some sentiment that Griffin should be the top pick after the awe-inspiring success achieved by Cam Newton during his first season with the Carolina Panthers. Both guys are dual-threat stars, but one monster season for Griffin doesn't trump Luck's track record of success.

The Redskins suffered through terrible quarterback play from Rex Grossman and John Beck this season and are in dire need of an upgrade at the position. When you're relying on retreads that were never even good in the first place, you know it's a bad situation.

It would be a nice fit for Griffin as well. Santana Moss and Jabar Gaffney aren't a flashy wideout tandem, but they can get the job done, and Roy Helu looked like a legitimate threat at the running back position when healthy. Add in Fred Davis and you have all the ingredients for a solid offense.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Blackmon is as close to a complete receiver as you'll see coming out of college.

8. Carolina Panthers* (6-10): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The Panthers have several needs on the defensive side, including a run stopper.

9. Miami Dolphins* (6-10): Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

There isn't a better pure edge rusher in the class than Upshaw.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Bills offensive line showed signs of respectability this season, but could still use a cornerstone left tackle like Reiff.

11. Seattle Seahawks* (7-9): Nick Perry, OLB, USC

Perry won't make the immediate impact of Upshaw, but his upside is equally as impressive.

12. Kansas City Chiefs* (7-9): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Martin will provide the Chiefs with some much-needed help up front on offense.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

The Cardinals don't have many glaring holes, but have some smaller issues to deal with throughout the roster. Ingram would help solve one problem.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Kuechly is a polarizing prospect, but he fits the Cowboys mold for an inside linebacker.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Eagles look like the best fit for Floyd, who would give them a big red-zone threat.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Coples stock has slid recently, but that won't bother Rex Ryan or the Jets front office.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The Bengals will use the pick obtained for Carson Palmer to select a guy to protect Andy Dalton.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

The Chargers need an outside linebacker and Brown is the best one available at this point.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Konz is a perfect fit for the Bears. The team's offensive line never seemed to find a rhythm.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The Titans would likely prefer a pass rusher with this pick, but there isn't one worth reaching for. Dennard is a nice consolation prize.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Cedric Benson isn't the long-term answer for the Bengals, so finding a replacement is high on the priority list.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jeffery would finally give Colt McCoy a legitimate top target to work with in Cleveland.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Adams is on an island between the top four tackles and the next grouping. The Lions would be an ideal fit.

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

The Steelers offensive line didn't play well enough this season, so reinforcements should be on the way during the offseason.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

Denver's defense stepped up in a big way. Adding Worthy would make the unit even more scary.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

It's either a wide receiver or Barron at this point for Houston. The Alabama safety provides more value.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Bill Belichick will focus on making sure next season's defense isn't nearly as bad as this season's was throughout. Hightower would provide some power in the middle.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Chris Polk, RB, Washington

The Packers aren't in desperate need to upgrade in any single area, so Polk could be a sneaky pick to add more depth behind Aaron Rodgers.

29. New York Giants (9-7): Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

The Giants had a lot of injuries on defense, which exposed a lack of depth at times. Burfict would be a solid addition to the rotation.

30. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright would give Joe Flacco another dynamic receiver on the outside.

31. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

San Francisco's receiving corps simply isn't good enough. Sanu would be one upgrade, but at least one more is needed.

32. New England Patriots (13-3): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins would be another smart value selection by the resourceful Belichick.