2012 NFL Mock Draft: How A Peyton Manning Release May Shape First Round

The NFL draft is one of the biggest spectacles in sports on a yearly basis, but this year's figures to have an even bigger impact. It's hard to believe that one player can affect the fortunes of so many teams, but the fate of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning can shape the drafts of several franchises.

With the ESPN report on Tuesday that the Colts will release Manning to avoid paying him his massive roster bonus come Wednesday, teams will be lining up to sign the talented quarterback. The team that does get him will change its draft strategy completely, while the teams that don't will still be in search of a quarterback.

Here is how the first round could play out if Manning ends up getting released, along with some analysis on what the teams in pursuit of Manning might do.

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14): Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Perhaps no team will be impacted more by Manning's possible departure than his current team, the Indianapolis Colts. Manning is arguably the greatest player in team history and has allowed them to remain contenders for more than a decade. Because of his injury, though, the Colts have a very big decision to make.

In a way you could say the Colts have "lucked" out as a generational quarterback talent is available in Stanford signal-caller Andrew Luck. It can't be an easy decision to release Manning, but it seems as though the Colts don't think they can pass up the opportunity to take Luck.

It makes sense because while Manning may have a couple great years left, Luck could very well have 15 or more. Owner Jim Irsay has to do what is best for the organization over the long term, and right now that appears to be drafting Luck and letting Manning go.

2. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor (projected trade w/ STL)

Rumors are running rampant that the St. Louis Rams are trying to trade their No. 2 overall pick and it makes perfect sense. The teams in need of a quarterback that don't end up with Manning would love to take Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III. With Sam Bradford already in the fold, the Rams don't need RG3, so they would be best off stockpiling picks.

The Cleveland Browns could probably go another year with Colt McCoy under center, but he hasn't done anything to show that he can be a quality starter at the next level. If Cleveland is ever going to compete with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC North, it needs an impact player like Griffin.

While the Browns would love to get Manning, there isn't much of a chance that he would be willing to sign with them. They haven't been good in quite some time, there aren't many weapons on offense and they play in cold weather. Since Cleveland isn't on the verge of greatness, though, it would be better off with Griffin anyway.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings have a lot of needs, but the biggest is likely a blindside protector like Kalil for quarterback Christian Ponder.

4. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State (projected trade w/ CLE)

Trading down will prove fruitful for the Rams as they will get their target at No. 4 in Blackmon while picking up extra picks in the process.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Tampa has a ton of holes as well, but with Ronde Barber near the end of the line and Aqib Talib in hot water off the field, Claiborne is the obvious choice.

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

There is plenty of talk regarding where Manning might end up if he is released, but the favorites are probably Washington, Miami, Arizona or the New York Jets. Any prediction would just be a guess at this point, but my best guess is that Manning will end up with the Redskins. it just seems as though there would be a certain allure for Manning to go to Washington.

They may not be immediate contenders, but with him at the helm they will be players in the NFC East. Also, he will get to play his brother, Eli, and the New York Giants twice per year, which might be a draw for him as well. The other teams mentioned have other options, but for the Redskins it's either Manning, Griffin or bust.

If Manning is secured, Washington will spend this pick on a weapon for him. Jabar Gaffney and Santana Moss are decent wide receivers, but both are older and neither is explosive. Because of that, a player like Michael Floyd out of Notre Dame makes sense. He may be viewed as a reach here, but he dominated at the combine and seems to have as much, if not more, potential as Blackmon.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

The Jaguars have long been without a dominant pass-rusher, and with Aaron Kampman on his last legs, a great athlete like Coples makes a lot of sense.

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Miami Dolphins have been rumored to be among Manning's main suitors, but I don't believe he will end up in Miami since the Dolphins have other options. The Dolphins are the heavy favorites to land former Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Matt Flynn in free agency since their new head coach is former Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin.

Flynn is obviously a big risk since he has never been an NFL starter and is basically living off one great game, but he has potential and Philbin knows what he can do. The Redskins are desperate for Manning, while the Dolphins pretty much have Flynn in their back pocket, so it stands to reason that Washington will make a better pitch.

With Flynn in place, Miami would be best-served taking an offensive lineman. Jake Long is one of the best blindside protectors in the game, but the other side is a bit of a mess, so Iowa offensive tackle Riley Reiff is a perfect fit. With a great line and Brandon Marshall to throw to, Flynn will be set up for success with the Dolphins.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Carolina never seems to have particularly good defensive tackles, but an athletic freak like Brockers will certainly fix that.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

The Bills desperately need a defensive end as they are switching to a 4-3, and many think that Ingram is the best 4-3 pass-rusher in the class.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Chiefs have been mentioned in passing as players for Manning's services, but with Matt Cassel in place and Kyle Orton being an option to re-sign, Kansas City's quarterback situation is a bit too muddled as is.

They are contenders in the AFC West anyway, so it would behoove them to address a true need in the form of a left tackle. Stanford's Jonathan Martin is the best one available at this point and an extremely smart pick.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama

Seattle is also in the running for Manning, but the Seahawks seem like fringe contenders at best. They did make a late run toward the playoffs last season, so that may be attractive to Manning, but there aren't a lot of great offensive weapons to draw him in.

I expect the Seahawks to stick with Tarvaris Jackson at quarterback for at least one more season. With that said, Seattle would be best off improving the defense. Chris Clemons is a decent pass-rusher, but a more explosive option like Alabama's Courtney Upshaw on the other side would be a nice fit.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Seeing as the Arizona Cardinals have an elite wide receiver in Larry Fitzgerald and play in a dome, it seems like a natural fit for Manning. They will likely be in on Manning until the very end, but with a heavy investment in Kevin Kolb and John Skelton aboard, too, Arizona will ultimately maintain the status quo.

The biggest problem the Cardinals have may be defense as a number of big contributors have been traded or left via free agency over the past few seasons. Inside linebacker Luke Kuechly of Boston College is a tackling machine who would fit beautifully into the middle of Arizona's defense.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Cowboys have major deficiencies in the secondary and they have never had an issue bringing in players with character problems, so Kirkpatrick will be the pick.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The Eagles franchised DeSean Jackson, but there is a good chance that they will trade him. If they do, Wright is an excellent replacement.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

The New York Jets are in on pretty much every big name these days, so it's no surprise they are considered in the running for Manning. Incumbent quarterback Mark Sanchez hasn't developed as quickly as hoped, so Jets fans are clamoring for an improvement in the form of Manning.

When push comes to shove, the Jets will ultimately stand by Sanchez and give him more time to prove himself, though. One of the big reasons for New York's regression was its defense last season, so a pass-rusher like Illinois' Whitney Mercilus should be the selection.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Cedric Benson is slowing down considerably, so the Bengals will be happy to take a top-five talent like Richardson at No. 17.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

Larry English seems to be a bust and the Chargers have had trouble getting to the quarterback, making Perry the right choice.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has played well without any offensive weapons to speak of, so it is only fair for Chicago to take Jeffery.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The Titans have one of the weaker interior offensive lines in football, but DeCastro would certainly help fix that.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

With Leon Hall still recovering from an Achilles injury, cornerback is a huge need, so the troubled but talented Jenkins is a good value here.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

With Griffin in the fold, the Browns will want to get him a weapon, and the big, athletic Sanu can be a very good one.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Long-time left tackle Jeff Backus is a free agent and the Lions could stand to make some upgrades on the offensive line, making Adams a target.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger continually gets battered due to poor offensive line play, but Glenn would help to solidify that.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

In the Broncos' run-heavy attack center is a very important position, so taking the best in the draft in the form of Konz makes sense.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Texans have built an excellent defense, but Barron could round it out beautifully as he is the best safety in the class.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Vinny Curry, DE/OLB, Marshall

New England got decent production out of Andre Carter and Mark Anderson outside, but a good, young pass-rusher like Curry is a must.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Devon Still, DE/DT, Penn State

The Packers' defense took a huge step back last season and struggled to get to the quarterback, making Still awesome value at this juncture.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Dont’a Hightower, OLB, Alabama

While the Ravens have a couple elite linebackers in Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs, a young stud like Hightower would reinvigorate the defense.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

The 49ers did well last season without having many offensive weapons to speak of, but combine beast Stephen Hill provides an intriguing deep threat.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The Patriots secondary was a mess last season, but a physical corner like Dennard would make it much tougher to pass on.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson

Jake Ballard did well for the Giants at tight end last season, but he will be recovering from an ACL injury, so Allen fills a big need.