The Top 10 Quarterbacks of the 2012 NFL Draft

The NFL draft is only a few short weeks away and we will take a look at the premier position in the league. When NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell gets the draft underway, the front offices around the league will finally put their scouting to the test.

Quarterbacks make or break franchises and we know of at least one that will roll the dice in this draft. All signs point to the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Redskins selecting Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III respectively. However, the question has been posed: Who is the best?

That's what we will look at, along with the eight other best quarterback prospects this year.

No. 10: Ryan Lindley, San Diego State

The senior out of San Diego State posted his best numbers to date in the 2011 season.

The 6'4" quarterback chucked the ball for 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions in his final campaign. The biggest upside for Lindley is his senior season statistics. It showed improvement in his decision making over the previous seasons. However, his efficiency lacked with a career-low 53 percent completion percentage. The key to NFL success is being efficient.

If Lindley is drafted to the right team and given time to develop, he could become one of the league's more solid backups.

No. 9: B.J. Coleman, Tennessee-Chattanooga

A transfer from Tennessee left his mark at Tennessee-Chattanooga.

Coleman could be a nice project selection for a team in the later rounds of the draft. He has good size and a rocket arm. During his final season at Chattanooga he completed 60 percent of his passes but equaled his touchdown-interceptions at nine. A

long with his rocket arm Coleman possesses some decent mobility.

The upside is there, but he will need to be mentored in the right system to find success in the league.

No. 8: Brock Osweiler, Arizona State

The tallest QB in the draft standing at 6'7" is one of the most interesting prospects in the draft.

Osweiler closed out his Sun Devil career by throwing for more than 4,000 yards with 26 touchdowns. He has the arm strength to deliver NFL-type throws but lacks the accuracy that will keep him from being a first-day selection.

Osweiler has some of the biggest upside in the draft. The junior made the decision to declare for the draft and being able to focus solely on his quarterbacking abilities will pay dividends at the next level.

No. 7: Russell Wilson, Wisconsin

Wilson is not as high on some other QB boards, but his efficiency and intangibles make him a great selection.

One of the biggest problems Wilson has faced has been his height, standing only 5'11". However, quarterbacks like 6' Drew Brees have shown it does not always hinder a QB in the league.

Wilson brings incredible passing efficiency, great decision-making, quick feet, great leadership and a quick release to his attributes. Wilson will not go until the middle rounds of the draft and could be a steal of a selection for a team willing to pick him up.

No. 6: Nick Foles, Arizona

Nick Foles has seen his stock fluctuate recently, but I still believe he has good upside and could be an asset at the next level.

Foles has quality career statistics at Arizona: 10,047 passing yards, 67.1 percent completion percentage and a 2:1 touchdown-interception ratio with 67-33. Those numbers prove he can sling the pill around the turf. He will not be outrunning defenders, but at 6'5" and near 250 pounds he can stand in the pocket securely.

He did not performed so well at his pro day, but the tape shows when it is game time he can perform, and that is more important.

No. 5: Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State

Weeden has shown his ability over the past couple of seasons at Oklahoma State to distribute the ball around the field and notched 71 touchdowns thrown in the last two seasons with 26 interceptions and a career 69.5 percent completion percentage. What brings pause to Weeden is his age and background.

At 28 years old and having sustained multiple injuries throughout his baseball and football careers, Weeden's a risk. I think Weeden can come in the league and contribute for several years but will never making a lasting impact. A good NFL comparison would be Chris Weinke: an older player with a baseball background that is able to start on occasion and is a serviceable backup.

He is a good selection for a team that is in need of a backup right away.

No. 4: Kirk Cousins, Michigan State

Cousins will not blow you away with foot speed or arm strength, but what he does possess is a high football IQ. While a prospect like Brandon Weeden may be more NFL ready right now, Cousins is a much better long-term solution.

Cousins is a smart quarterback who will make the correct decisions the vast majority of the time. I hate to label him as a perfect “game-manager” in the NFL, but he can easily slide in to that role. He will make the necessary check-downs and limit turnovers to give his team the best chance to win. Also, Cousins has a leadership quality that few do.

His intangibles make him a great selection for a team who already has a strong defense.

No. 3: Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M

Tannehill is the consensus No. 3 quarterback in this year's draft.

He has the size scouts look for and good arm strength to make all of the next-level throws. The former Aggie has excellent speed and mobility to go along with his other attributes, but that is to be expected from a former receiver. Tannehill typically keeps care of the ball with a career 42 touchdowns and 21 interceptions.

The defenses he will see at the next level will be more complex and stiffer than the much-maligned Big XII defenses. He will need to be able to improve on reading coverages, but with his work ethic it's not something to turn scouts away.

Expect him to be the third and final QB taken in the first round.

No. 2: Robert Griffin III, Baylor

The 2011 Heisman Trophy winner has dazzled America and the NFL scouts. And he also probably owes Cam Newton some thanks for his draft stock as well. Griffin has a cannon for an arm that will allow him to make every throw in the league.

RGIII is a competitor. Toughness is not a question when it comes to the junior out of Baylor. Making the transition from the spread attack at Baylor to a pro-style offense in the league will be the biggest issue for Griffin, but he will get plenty of work from under center before he takes the field.

Griffin was incredibly efficient with the ball during his career, posting a 67.1 percent completion percentage and a 78-17 touchdown-to-interception ratio. With the Redskins making a bold trade to get in position to draft him, the ball will be in his hands early for his chance to make a statement in the NFC East.

No. 1: Andrew Luck, Stanford

Andrew Luck is the most complete package to come out of college in quite some time.
Not only does he have the arm strength to make all of the next-level throws, he has already showcased he can under the bright lights in bowl games. Not only does he make those throws, but the ball arrives on a tight line with a perfect spiral. Luck has a high football IQ and makes minimal mistakes. His biggest detriment is that he likes contact and will challenge defenders.

He has a career completion percentage of 67 percent, but during his junior and senior seasons it was over 70 percent. He threw for 82 touchdowns and was only intercepted 22 times. He is a remarkable quarterback and would have been the No. 1 overall selection last season. The microscope was already focused on him, but following Peyton Manning will only increase the pressure he faces. However, there is no other player in the draft who is more ready for the NFL.

Luck is far and away the best quarterback in the draft. He will excite the Colts fanbase and begin as the face of the organization as it enters the Andrew Luck era of the franchise.