NFL Draft 2012: 4 Best Landing Spots for Ryan Tannehill

The quarterback position is widely regarded as the most important position in the NFL. A franchise quarterback is a must if you want to compete with the big boys these days. 

It is all but written in stone that the top two picks in this year's draft will be Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III. Ryan Tannehill is rated the third-best quarterback in the draft. 

Tannehill is fairly new to the position. He is a converted wide receiver who is still learning to play the quarterback position. Still, teams love his talent, character and upside. 

He has the size to play quarterback at the next level. He is listed at 6'4''  and 221 pounds. He also has the arm strength and great athleticism. 

Last season Tannehill completed 61 percent of his passes for over 3,744 yards and 29 touchdowns. He still has room for improvement and could benefit from sitting for a year. At best, he should be a late first-round pick, but because of his potential and the position he plays, he will go in the top-15. 

Here are four teams who would be a perfect fit for Tannehill going forward. 

Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins are desperate for a quarterback. There was speculation that they would go after a trade for Robert Griffin III, but the Redskins beat them to it. They then struck out on Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn. Alex Smith even burned them, ouch! Ryan Tannehill just might be the answer they are searching for. 

The team has been looking for a viable franchise quarterback since Dan Marino left. Even though Matt Moore did not have a bad season last year, he is not the long-term solution. New Head Coach Joe Philbin would like to build his system around an athletic, strong-armed quarterback. 

Tannehill could benefit from a coach who worked with Aaron Rodgers and Matt Flynn. He has a similar body type to those two quarterbacks and could develop a long-standing relationship with Philbin. Tannehill's former coach Mike Sherman is now on the Dolphin's staff providing stability and comfort. 

Arizona Cardinals

Do the Cardinals have a quarterback going forward? After unsuccessfully attempting to land Peyton Manning, they were forced to pick up Kevin Kolb's option. But, is Kobb really the answer? Joh Skelton showed flashes in Kolb's absence last year, but he is not a long-term solution. 

Larry Fitzgerald seems to be wasting the prime of his carer without a quarterback to get him the ball. Fitzgerald still has a lot of years left in the tank, but you a new QB needs to be groomed really soon. Ken Whisenhunt can't seem to get on the same page with anybody at the position since Kurt Warner retired. At this point, he might want a young quarterback with upside who can sit for a year or two. 

The option for Tannehill to sit for a while would suit him well. While he has a ton of talent, he is still learning the position and would likely get eaten alive by NFL defenses. Being able to learn from a successful offensive coach like Whisenhunt could be just what he needs. Then two years from now, he will be ready to take the reigns. 

Cleveland Browns

Simply put, Colt McCoy is not the answer for the Browns. Mike Holmgren has been on the job since December of 2009 and he has yet to find his franchise quarterback.

It would be foolish to trade their top-five pick, but why not package that other first-round pick with a late-rounder to move in front of Miami? If the team drafts a guy like Trent Richardson or Justin Blackmon and then pairs that player with Tannehill, they have set themselves up for a nice future. 

Tannehill would flourish in a west coast-style system. His mobility and big arm would be perfect for Cleveland going forward. At some point here, Holmgren is going to have to make a big splash. What better time than now?

Seattle Seahawks

Yes, the Seahawks just signed Matt Flynn. However, they only signed him to a three-year deal and only $10 million of the $26 million is guaranteed. The Seahawks staff was also seen at Tannehill's pro day. Could they still draft him if he is there? 

Seattle has the chance to be a good spot for Tannehill. He can watch Matt Flynn for a couple of years and if the former backup to Aaron Rodgers stumbles, he will get his chance. Flynn is unproven and could draw pressure from a passionate fanbase. 

Tannehill would sit on the sidelines and would be seen almost as a savior. If Flynn fails as well, there is a good chance a new coaching staff would be brought in—a staff willing to work around Tannehill's strengths and needs.