2012 NFL Mock Draft: Breaking Down Which Teams Need a Quarterback This April

No position in sports is as difficult to play or highly regarded as the NFL quarterback. Few really grasp all that goes into being a starter at that position on the game's top level. 

For that reason, the quarterback position is the most valued draft choice there is and likely ever will be. Like the saying goes, "You either have a quarterback, or you're desperately and endlessly searching for one."

A handful of NFL teams fit into the category of "desperately and endlessly searching for one." Let's run down the franchise who need to get a quarterback in the 2012 NFL Draft. 

1.  Indianapolis Colts—Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

The need here is obvious and probably doesn't need explanation, but let me quickly do it anyway.

Long story short: The Colts stumbled their way through the 2011 season after Peyton Manning missed the season while recovering from a fusion of bones in his neck.

Now, Manning's future playing in the NFL is in serious question, and his $28 million bonus coming due makes it unlikely he'll ever play in Indy again.

Luckily for the Colts, stinking up the joint in 2011 granted them the opportunity to take Luck, who many consider the top quarterback since Manning. It's not the best situation from a public relations standpoint, but taking Luck and releasing Manning makes perfect football and business sense.

2.  St. Louis Rams—Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

3.  Minnesota Vikings—Matt Kalil, OT, USC 

4.  Cleveland Browns—Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

There are some who would like the Browns to give Colt McCoy another year with a couple of added weapons on offense. Others will say that it's time to find a quarterback who's potential is elite, and that can finally change the losing culture in Cleveland.

Either way, both sides will agree that better quarterback play is an absolute must for the Browns to get out of the AFC North cellar. Whether that means a changing of the guard at quarterback remains to be seen, but no one can blame Mike Holmgren for pursuing it. There's a reason why Holmgren won't commit to McCoy for the 2012 season. 

5.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers—Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

6.  Washington Redskins—Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

There isn't a team in football that needs a quarterback more than the Redskins, and I'm not even sure it's close. Rex Grossman and John Beck are adequate guys to have on your roster, but solely as backups. Neither can start and consistently win right now for a football team. That painful truth leaves the Redskins in a bit of pickle.

Do they trade up, which will take several picks, to take Robert Griffin at No. 2? Or do they stay put and either reach on a quarterback at No. 6 or do their best to find the next version of Andy Dalton?

Regardless, it's time for Daniel Synder to pull the trigger on the future of the position in D.C. The Redskins are way overdue for a franchise quarterback on the roster. 

7.  Jacksonville Jaguars—Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina  

8.  Carolina Panthers—Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

9.  Miami Dolphins—Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Matt Moore and Chad Henne have had stretches of good quarterbacking play, but neither is seen as a guy that's going to get you into the postseason. With a change at head coach to Joe Philbin, there's no more allegiances to any player at the position—which opens the door for a transition at quarterback.

While I wouldn't rule out the Dolphins taking someone at quarterback in this draft, most assume they'll make a serious run at Packers free agent Matt Flynn. No matter which route Miami takes, it'd be more surprising if the Dolphins did nothing at quarterback this offseason than if they did make a change.  

10.  Buffalo Bills—Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

11.  Kansas City Chiefs—Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

12.  Seattle Seahawks—Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Tarvaris Jackson was serviceable in Year 1 in Seattle, but that's about it. Is he a guy that's going to be good enough to leap frog the Seahawks over the 49ers at some point? That's really the question you have to ask when talking about Seattle's quarterback position.

Now, you have to wonder if Pete Carroll tries to get by with Jackson in 2012 with eyes on taking USC's Matt Barkley next April. Does that fit make too much sense, though? Eventually, a transition is coming for Seattle at quarterback. 

13.  Arizona Cardinals—Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

14.  Dallas Cowboys—Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

15.  Philadelphia Eagles—Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

16.  New York Jets—Nick Perry, LB, USC 

17.  Cincinnati Bengals—Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

18.  San Diego Chargers—David DeCastro, OG, Stanford 

19.  Chicago Bears—Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

20.  Tennessee Titans—Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

21.  Cincinnati Bengals—Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

22.  Cleveland Browns—Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor  

23.  Detroit Lions—Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

24.  Pittsburgh Steelers—Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia 

25.  Denver Broncos—Devon Still, DL, Penn State

You didn't really think I'd leave out the Broncos, did you? Look, I understand the craze with Tim Tebow, and you can't argue with the win-loss results he produced in 2011.

But he's the most flawed quarterback starting in the NFL, and there's absolutely no reason why the Broncos shouldn't draft a traditional player at the position to ensure Denver survives after this Tebow-gadget offense phase passes on. The Dolphins moved on after their Wildcat phase, and the Broncos will do the same with the Urban-Meyer-offense-in-the-NFL phase.   

26.  Houston Texans—Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

27.  New England Patriots—Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin 

28.  Green Bay Packers—Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois   

29.  Baltimore Ravens—Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

30.  San Francisco 49ers—Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

31.  New York Giants—Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama    

32.  New England Patriots—Mark Barron, S, Alabama