2012 NFL Draft: Breaking Down Rookie QBs vs. Veteran Free Agents

There are at least four teams in need of a new starting quarterback for the 2012 NFL season.

There is one, possibly two, rookies who can come in and start on Day 1.

The Indianapolis Colts need to draft Andrew Luck at No. 1 overall. If they don't, it would be a catastrophic mistake for a team now completely submerged in a rebuilding era.

The Cleveland Browns, Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins are all without a starting quarterback as well (although the Browns could start Colt McCoy again) and will be the most active in the free-agent/rookie market.

The question burdening each of these organizations is whether or not they should chase a free agent or go after a rookie quarterback. Here's a look at the best of their options.

Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford (Rookie)

The draft's top prospect will go No. 1 overall and needs to be the next quarterback with the Colts. If they pass up this opportunity it will cost them dearly.

This team isn't ready to compete right away, but Luck is ready to take over.

Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor (Rookie)

This is one of the more interesting debates. The 2011 Heisman Trophy winner is a likely top five pick, but not every team is sold on him.

The St. Louis Rams should move out of the two-spot and the Minnesota Vikings are willing to move out of the three-spot should teams come calling.

Most likely that'll be the Cleveland Browns or Washington Redskins.

Neither of these two teams is ready to legitimately compete for the postseason (Washington is better off than Cleveland), but with RG3 under center that is okay. The Browns have the best opportunity to move up with two first-round picks this year but aren't necessarily sold on him.

With Mike Holmgren involved it is not out of the question to see them go involved with Matt Flynn the way he did with Matt Hasselbeck in Seattle all those years ago.

Matt Flynn, QB, Packers (Unrestricted Free Agent)

When Flynn lit up the Lions defense in Week 17, everyone wondered, "How much money did Matt Flynn just make?"

With his former offensive coordinator, Joe Philbin, running the show in Miami, there isn't much debate as to which team Flynn fits best.

The Dolphins desperately need a new franchise signal-caller as much, if not more, than the Redskins. However, both these teams are likely to be the heaviest bidders for his services if they miss out on one other possible free agent...

Peyton Manning, QB, Colts (Owed $28 million roster bonus on March 8)

Owner Jim Irsay isn't happy about Peyton Manning speaking out on his future with the organization. The future Hall of Famer is unlikely to be happy with a rookie quarterback on his back this season and his Colts team (and Peyton is a smart dude) is not going to able to compete for a Super Bowl this year.

It would hardly surprise anyone if Manning and the Colts go separate ways and, in fact, it is expected that the Colts are going to release him before he's due the bonus.

The Browns are out because there is no way Peyton is going to Cleveland.

The Dolphins are heavily interested and believe they're ready to compete for a Super Bowl this year with No. 18 under center.

The Jets and Cardinals—two teams heavily invested in their current quarterbacks—are "expected to be interested," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

And the Redskins have an owner who will do anything to spend money.

If Manning hits the open market, look for Miami, New York and Washington to be potential fits in terms of money and talent.

Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M (Rookie)

The senior QB is currently injured and will not be able to work out for teams for quite some time.

That said, his physical skills, athleticism and potential have a lot of people interested and excited.

Should teams like Miami and/or Washington miss out on a free-agent quarterback, they're prime candidates to reach for Tannehill early in the first round with Luck and RG3 off the board.

He's still a work in progress, but he can make all the throws, has prototypical size, above-average athleticism and has his best football in front of him.

Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State (Rookie)

The Pokes signal-caller will be a 29-year-old rookie by the time the 2012 season starts. He's not going to get much better physically, but he's already a mature person who has experienced the real world and will come into work every day for the next seven to 10 years.

He's an early second-round pick who could have the same type of impact Andy Dalton had this year for Bengals.

Weeden is a fallback solution but is a more immediate help than Tannehill or even RG3 would be for teams looking to compete this year.

Of all the QB-needy teams, the Redskins and Dolphins are likely to get involved with the free agents first and make a run if the draft if they miss. Both Manning (if available) and Flynn will be heavily pursued by the two organizations and it is likely that one of them will land one of the QBs.

The Colts need Andrew Luck. Period.

The Jets and Cardinals should only be involved for Peyton Manning. Period.

And the Browns are a complete wild card who could do just about anything with two first-round picks—including not take a quarterback—when all is said and done.