2012 NFL Mock Draft: Which Teams Desperately Need New QB?

The quarterback position is the most important in the NFL, and without a good one, it is very tough to win games consistently, especially in the playoffs.

There are two excellent quarterback prospects in the 2012 NFL draft: Standford's Andrew Luck and Baylor's Robert Griffin III. After them, there is some risk in taking a quarterback. A player like Kellen Moore of Boise State could be a tremendous NFL quarterback, or he could be just an average player.

Which teams are desperate for a quarterback and may trade up to take a guy like Moore? Let's find out.

1) Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

The Colts don't know how well star quarterback Peyton Manning will play coming off neck surgery, but the opportunity to draft a great quarterback is something no team can afford to pass up.

Regardless if the team keeps Manning for next season, they must select Stanford star Andrew Luck with the No. 1 overall pick.

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

The Rams could use a playmaker on offense such as Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon at No. 2, but protecting young quarterback Sam Bradford needs to be priority one for St. Louis.

Matt Kalil from USC is a tremendous left tackle who could protect Bradford well for a decade.

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

The Minnesota Vikings need a star wide receiver that can give their team more balance on offense. With star running back Adrian Peterson punishing defenses on the ground, the Vikings would be wise to give young quarterback Christian Ponder a weapon in the passing game. Blackmon is the best receiver in the draft and is going to be an all-pro player.

4) Cleveland Browns: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor 

I think the Browns would seriously consider taking a quarterback with this pick since Colt McCoy suffered a concussion late in the season, and even before that happened, the former Texas quarterback wasn't performing at a high level.

Griffin, this year's Heisman Trophy winner, is a dual-threat quarterback who can throw the deep ball well and make plays with his legs. He would make the Browns offense much better.

5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers don't have to take a running back with this pick, but Alabama star Trent Richardson is one of the best talents in this draft. His speed, quickness and vision make him an exceptional back.

6) Washington Redskins,  Morris Claiborne*, CB, LSU

Morris Claiborne has Pro Bowl player written all over him and is a tremendous cornerback that would greatly improve the Washington Redskins secondary.

Claiborne would give the Redskins a shut-down corner who will soon be able to cover the league's best receivers.

7) Jacksonville Jaguars: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The Jaguars desperately need a star wide receiver for quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who struggled in his rookie season because he had no reliable pass targets.

Jeffery has unbelievable talent and has all the makings of an elite receiver.

8) Carolina Panthers: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Drafting Claiborne would be ideal for the Panthers, but he likely won't be available at pick No. 8, so the team should select David DeCastro from Stanford. DeCastro is a very strong guard who could help improve the passing and running blocking of the Panthers.

9) Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Miami Dolphins already have a stud left tackle in Jake Long, and by selecting Riley Reiff from Iowa, they would have a star right tackle as well. Reiff is an exceptional pass-blocker and will be a solid NFL player for years.

10) Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama

The Bills defense has to be better, and one way to improve the defense is to draft some pass rushers. Courtney Upshaw is a versatile player who would greatly improve the Bills' pass rush.

11) Seattle Seahawks: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

The Seattle Seahawks would want to take a quarterback here, but unless they move up in the draft they won't get Robert Griffin III. Pick No. 14 is too early to take a quarterback other than Griffin or Luck, so the Seahawks will select Whitney Mercilus of Illinois to improve their pass rush.

12) Kansas City Chiefs: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Kansas City Chiefs would be wise to take a left tackle that can protect quarterback Matt Cassel for a long time, and Stanford offensive tackle Jonathan Martin is a good choice for that role. Martin is a strong player with great size, and he would really improve the Chiefs' pass protection.

13) Arizona Cardinals: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

The Arizona Cardinals need a playmaker who can strengthen their linebacking corps, and in-state college star Vontaze Burfict would be a great fit for them.

Burfict is an exceptional athlete and plays with a high level of intensity, but he needs to mature a bit. His talent makes him too valuable to ignore at this pick, however.

14) Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Dallas Cowboys defense needs help in the secondary, and cornerback is one area they can improve in. Alabama corner Dre Kirkpatrick is a rising prospect who has the making of a shut-down NFL corner. He has good coverage skills

15) Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

With the possibility of Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson leaving this offseason through free agency, drafting a playmaker like Michael Floyd is a good idea. Injuries this season at wide receiver have also created a need at that position for Philly.

16) New York Jets: Nick Perry, LB, USC

The New York Jets need to get more athletic and skilled at linebacker, and Nick Perry from USC would be a good choice for this upgrade. With Calvin Pace and Bart Scott getting older, Perry would add speed and pass rushing ability to the Jets defense.

17) Cincinnati Bengals: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Bengals could use a stud tackle, and Mike Adams of Ohio State is someone who could protect young quarterback Andy Dalton for years. The Bengals could also run-block better, which is something Adams could help the team with.

18) San Diego Chargers: Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

The San Diego Chargers battled many injuries on their offensive line this season, so drafting an offensive lineman in the first round is a good plan for them. Cordy Glenn from Georgia is one of the best guards in this draft class and would help keep quarterback Philip Rivers upright in the pocket.

19) Chicago Bears: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin 

The Chicago Bears had major issues protecting quarterback Jay Cutler this season, and as a unit, their offensive line needs a lot of work. Peter Konz of Wisconsin is an exceptional center prospect and could come in and help the Bears offense right away.

20) Tennessee Titans: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

The Tennessee Titans pass rush needs to be better if the team wants to make the playoffs next season, and adding Melvin Ingram would help tremendously. Ingram has good speed and uses his strength well to get to the quarterback.

21) Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

The Bengals have two first-round picks, so they might trade one in order to acquire more draft picks for later rounds. If they pick at No. 21, expect Miami Hurricanes running back Lamar Miller to be someone they look at to give their running game more speed and consistency.

22) Cleveland Browns:  Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina 

The Cleveland Browns defense needs work, and the linebacker position could certainly be upgraded. Zach Brown of North Carolina is a very smart player and would give the Browns defense a combination of pass rushing and coverage skills.

23) Detroit Lions: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Detroit Lions have a need in the secondary, and cornerback is a position that would really help them advance further in the playoffs in the improved it. South Carolina corner Stephon Gilmore has awesome coverage skills and would add more athleticism to the Lions defense.

24) Pittsburgh Steelers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The Pittsburgh Steelers need to get young on the defensive line, especially since star defensive tackle Casey Hampton has battled injuries recently. Dontari Poe would be the ideal replacement for Hampton, and he played very well at Memphis this season.

25) Denver Broncos: Kellen Moore, Boise State

Let's face it, Tim Tebow isn't a quarterback who can go deep into the playoffs because his passing mechanics just aren't good enough. As a quarterback who likes to run a lot, his body takes on much more contact than is normal for a quarterback.

Kellen Moore from Boise State is a really good pocket passer who has a strong arm and good accuracy. He would be a smart pick for the Broncos and would battle Tebow for the starting job in training camp.

26) New York Giants: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Giants passing defense was one of the worst in the NFL this season despite having a good pass rush. Injuries in the secondary really hurt the Giants in the regular season, so drafting a safety is a smart idea for Big Blue. Alabama star Mark Barron is a good cover guy and also tackles very well.

27) Houston Texans: Nick Foles, Arizona, QB

Nick Foles is one of the better quarterbacks available after Luck and Griffin are taken, and he would be a good fit on the Texans because they need more depth at that position since TJ Yates struggled in the playoffs.

28) New England Patriots: Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse

The Patriots need to rush the passer more consistently, and Chandler Jones from Syracuse would help Bill Belichick's defense get after the quarterback better because of his speed and strength.

29) Baltimore Ravens: Ronnell Lewis, LB, Oklahoma

With Ray Lewis nearing retirement, it's time for the Baltimore Ravens to think about finding his replacement in April's draft. Ronnell Lewis from Oklahoma is a very good linebacker who is a smart football player and has good athleticism.

30) San Francisco 49ers: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Alfonzo Dennard may not slip to the San Francisco 49ers at pick No. 30, but if he is available, the team must consider taking the Nebraska cornerback. He has very good cover skills and tackles well for a cornerback.

31) New England Patriots,   Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

New England may trade this pick since it's rare that Belichick does not trade for more picks in the draft, but if he keeps this pick, then Luke Kuechly of Boston College would be a good choice. The BC Eagles linebacker is a very smart player and can cover well too.

32) Green Bay Packers: Chris Polk, RB, Washington

Washington Huskies running back Chris Polk is a very good player and is quickly rising up draft boards. With the Green Bay Packers running game struggling this season, they would be smart to look at a running back with their first round selection.