2012 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting the Non Early-Round QBs with the Most Potential

It's blatantly obvious that the top quarterbacks—Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin—are expected to have illustrious NFL careers as first-round draft picks.

Well, there's also some good talent in the middle and later rounds for franchises that don't have a high selection.

So, here's a look at where other non early-round quarterbacks land.

(Round 3) Houston Texans: Kirk Cousins, Michigan State

A lot here obviously depends on how the Houston Texans feel about the health of Matt Leinart and the development of T.J. Yates.

That said, Michigan State's Kirk Cousins fits the mold quite well in Houston. While with the Spartans, Cousins was backed by a sound defense, had a good rushing attack and reliable receivers. Still, he was the key to Sparty's offense as Cousins led Michigan State to a Big Ten title in 2010 and the runner-up in 2011.

A three-year starter, Cousins threw for almost 2,700 yards as a sophomore, over 2,800 as a junior and then over 3,300 as a senior. He never threw more than 10 picks in a season and finished with 64 touchdowns between 2009 and 2011.

In Houston, Cousins would be backed by a great defense, excellent rushing attack and have the luxury of Andre Johnson lined up outside. Despite not having insanely great arm strength like high projected quarterbacks, Cousins is arguably the smartest and best decision-maker.

He's not a gunslinger but is more than just a game-manager and simply knows how to win. Depending on Matt Schaub's health now, Cousins at the very least would make for a reliable backup and if given the opportunity, the Texans wouldn't miss a beat.

(Round 4) Seattle Seahawks: Nick Foles, Arizona

Improvement at the very least, is what a coach likes to see in a quarterback.

And much like Michigan State's Kirk Cousins, Arizona's Nick Foles did just that as well. A three year-starter, Foles raised the bar each new season under center.

As a sophomore in 2009, Foles completed 63.6 percent of his throws, had 19 touchdowns to nine picks and almost 2,500 yards. 2010 was only better with a 67.1 completion percentage, 20 touchdowns to 10 picks and almost 3,200 passing yards.

This past season, Foles established himself as one of college football's more effective quarterbacks with 28 touchdowns to 14 picks, over 4,300 yards and a 69.1 completion percentage. The Wildcats had to rely on him more than anyone during his span and Foles simply answered the challenge each week.

He has a strong arm, very accurate, great size at 6'5", 240 pounds and keeps a defense honest by spreading the rock around the clock.

The Seattle Seahawks are a great fit as he'll be supported by a dominant ground game in Marshawn Lynch. Along with a synergistic receiving corps of Doug Baldwin, Golden Tate, Sidney Rice and Ben Obomanu, as well as tight end Zach Miller, Foles has the tools around him to work well.

Not to mention the Seahawks tough defense that ranked No. 9 in allowing just 332 total yards per game.

(Round 6) New York Jets: Chandler Harnish, Northern Illinois

Although the New York Jets drafted Alabama's Greg McElroy in 2011 and having been in the Peyton Manning discussion, it's not the worst idea to draft a guy like Northern Illinois' Chandler Harnish.

With new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano, Harnish would provide the Jets with a scrambling quarterback in a Wildcat package.

While in college, Harnish dominated defenses through the air and on the ground. For his career, Harnish accounted for almost 9.000 passing and 3,000 rushing yards with 92 total touchdowns and just 26 interceptions.

He has good size at 6'2", 220 pounds and is decently accurate from the pocket in the intermediate passing game. For Sparano and the Jets, Harnish as the Wildcat quarterback brings a multidimensional threat that will keep defenses off balanced.

Harnish can be given the option of throwing or running and is most dangerous outside of the pocket. Gang Green needs something in its offense to manipulate defenses better than just a simple rushing attack and mediocre passing game, so mixing it up a bit with Harnish at the helm will suffice.

The question is whether New York is able to improve on the ground, because hitting the trenches significantly lacked in 2011.

(Round 7) Chicago Bears: Case Keenum, Houston

He may not have the most impressive arm in the draft, but Houston's Case Keenum did throw for over 5,000 yards in three different seasons.

Now yes, he rarely was under center and played in a spread offense, but when you have a guy whose completed almost 70 percent of his passes for a career, the man is doing something right.

Keenum is perhaps better at breaking down a defense before the snap but does need to improve as a play unfolds. Still, Case has a quick release and when he needs to make the longer throws downfield, he has the setup to put his body behind the pass.

As a potential seventh-round pick he's not a risk by any means and the Chicago Bears could use someone who knows how to make quick passes on a consistent basis.

Not to mention Jay Cutler's health concerns, Keenum proved his durability in 2011 and dominance by shredding every defense he faced (even Penn State who finished ranked No. 5 against the pass).

In The Windy City, Keenum would be a great passer for receivers like Johnny Knox and Devin Hester because wit their speed and acceleration, getting them the rock quickly after the snap is vital. Include the reliability of running back Matt Forte (if he remains) and the Bears have a solid backup to develop.

After all, well-established prospect with much potential is great competition for Cutler during training camp as well.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)	17. Cincinnati Bengals (From OAK): Janoris Jenkins, CB (Northern 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: Dwayne Allen, TE (Clemson)
4. Cleveland Browns: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)	20. Tennessee Titans: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)
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 Browns (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: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)
9. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE (UNC)	25. Denver Broncos: Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)
10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)	26. Houston Texans: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Nick Perry, DE (USC)	27. New England Patriots (From NO): Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)
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: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)	31. New England Patriots: Mark Barron, S (Alabama)
16. New York Jets: Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)	32. New York Giants: Coby Fleener, TE (Stanford)

John Rozum on Twitter.