2012 NFL Mock Draft: Andrew Luck-Robert Griffin, Aren't We Just Splitting Hairs?

The two best quarterbacks in the 2012 NFL Draft both finished No. 1 and No. 2 in the Heisman Trophy voting, and Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin are expected to be top 10 selections (worst case-scenario).

The question however, is one better than the other? Or are we just splitting hairs?

Fortunately, both have had excellent college careers and they are easy to compare. That said, here's a quick breakdown of each prospect to see if there are any major differences.

Andrew Luck

Luck finished 2011 with a 71.3 completion percentage and over 3,500 passing yards. Throwing just 18 interceptions to 69 touchdowns the past two seasons, Andrew Luck basically sliced defenses all game, every game.

He has underrated mobility, a strong arm and reads defenses better than any college and some NFL quarterbacks. Not to mention—he didn't play with any All-American receivers like Justin Blackmon, Michael Floyd or Alshon Jeffery.

His best target was Coby Fleener in 2011 and Doug Baldwin (who went undrafted) in 2010. If there's any concern to Luck's game, it is that on the rare occasion he does try to force some passes.

In Luck's final six games of the 2011-12 season, he threw seven picks and the Cardinal lost two of those games. So, there is room for improvements, but his willingness to put in the work all while having more talent around him only sets up a great future.

The next question is whether he ends up backing Peyton Manning and learning as a rookie, or starting under center from the get-go like Cam Newton and Andy Dalton.

Either way, Luck will have success.

Robert Griffin

The great thing about Robert Griffin is that he was virtually unknown outside of Baylor until he picked a part the TCU defense in Week 1 for 50 points. From then on the 2011 season was mainly about Griffin—when we wanted to get away from the controversial BCS.

He's a great athlete, but an even better quarterback. Not one time did he throw more than eight picks in a single season with Baylor and to counter that, Griffin tossed 78 touchdowns and ran for another 33.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect is his near 70 percent completion percentage between 2010 and 2011 without any standout receivers. Yes, Kendall Wright has come on the scene, but had it not been for Griffin, Wright would be even more unknown.

As for improving, Griffin spent most of the time in shotgun, so reading defenses from under center at pre-snap is a must. Fortunately for Griffin though, he'll also have a defense backing him unlike Baylor, who allowed almost as much as the offense scored.

In the NFL, Griffin won't need to put up 45 points per game just to have a chance to win.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)	17. Cincinnati (From OAK): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)
2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)	18. San Diego Chargers: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)	19. Chicago Bears: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)
4. Cleveland Browns: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)	20. Tennessee Titans: Mohamed Sanu, WR (Rutgers)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)	21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)
6. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)	22. Cleveland (From ATL): Vontaze Burfict, LB (ASU)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)	23. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB (UNC)
8. Miami Dolphins: David DeCastro, G (Stanford)	24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Zebrie Sanders, OT (Florida State)
9. Carolina Panthers: Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)	25. Denver Broncos: Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)
10. Buffalo Bills: Quinton Coples, DE (UNC)	26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Nick Perry, DE (USC)	27. New England Patriots (From NO): Janoris Jenkins, CB (North Alabama)
12. Seattle Seahawks: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)	28. Green Bay Packers: Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)
13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)	29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)
14. Dallas Cowboys: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)	30. San Francisco 49ers: Mark Barron, S (Alabama)
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)	31. New York Giants: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)
16. New York Jets: Brandon Thompson, DE (Clemson)	32. New England Patriots: Chase Minnifield, (UVA)

John Rozum on Twitter.