NFL Draft 2012: Projecting Brandon Weeden and Other Early-Round QBs

Not the Round 1 guys like Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III; but other early quarterbacks that won't have to wait past Round 3.

So, here's to the landing spots of the following quarterbacks.

Round 2, Ryan Tannehill: Miami Dolphins

Yes, the Dolphins would be taking a risk in passing up on Tannehill in Round 1, however, the durability concerns still remain and it's too high risk of a situation; especially at No. 8 overall.

Tannehill missed the Senior Bowl, NFL Combine and Texas A&M's pro day, so until he hits the field can we really expect him to be a top 10 pick? And according to Gil Brandt of NFL.com, isn't performing a workout until the end of March.

So, unless Tannehill puts on a helluva show, he should fall to Round 2. There, Miami can snag him early and he's much less of a risk. With just roughly 1.5 years at the helm in college, though, Tannehill's size and mobility is still appealing.

Worst-case scenario is that Tannehill becomes a receiver. He began there for the Aggies under Mike Sherman (Miami's offensive coordinator) in 2008 and 2009, so it's not out of the question after trading away Brandon Marshall.

Round 2, Brandon Weeden: Denver Broncos

According to Jeff Legwold of the Denver Post, the Broncos appear to be interested in Brandon Weeden:

"

The Broncos' group took Weeden out to dinner Thursday night after having met with Weeden earlier Thursday to quiz him on football matters as well as to put him through a short private workout in the team's stadium.

"

Weeden to Denver makes great sense as well, considering what has commenced in the past week. First, Brady Quinn signs with Kansas City, Peyton Manning becomes a Bronco and then Tim Tebow gets traded to the Jets.

The Broncos need a backup quarterback and despite his age, Weeden has the arm strength, mobility and proven consistency to takeover for Manning at any time.

Denver's only tangible concern with Weeden, however, is that he can be interception prone at times. To that end, developing under Manning and with Elway supervising, Weeden will be go to go when his opportunity arises.

Round 3, Kirk Cousins: Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals may not need Kirk Cousins right now, but they will if Kevin Kolb underachieves like he did in 2011. With Arizona's other quarterback options in John Skelton and Richard Bartel, selecting Cousins is needed to bring in a guy with promise.

Arizona's defense is solid for the most part and offensively, a quarterback who can spread the field and make quick pre-snap reads is needed. Cousins is a three-year starter, never had any top-tier receivers to throw to, but still make great improvements each year.

With Larry Fitzgerald desperate for a quarterback who can give him more than three or four seasons, Cousins' pro-style offense from Michigan State will transition well.

If anything, the Cardinals must improve their pass protection beforehand, because allowing 54 sacks last season played a big role in the slow start.

Round 3, Russell Wilson: Green Bay Packers

Other than virtually everywhere on defense, the Green Bay Packers need to replenish their backup quarterback slot.

With Matt Flynn having signed with Seattle earlier this week, the cheese have Graham Harrell to back Aaron Rodgers. Well, it would be a victory for the fans with Russell Wilson getting selected by the Pack late in Round 3.

Having played his first three college seasons at North Carolina State, Wilson went to Wisconsin in 2011. There, he ran a more pro-style system and ended up throwing 33 touchdowns to just four picks, as well leading Sconnie to the Big Ten title.

Wilson may be undersized, but he has the mobility and accuracy to be a consistent playmaker. The Packers need a backup and unless they want a guy like Kellen Moore or Chandler Harnish in Round 7, the former Badger is a smart pick.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

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

John Rozum on Twitter.