NFL Draft 2012 Results: Rookie QBs in the Best Position to Succeed

The 2012 NFL draft saw some elite college quarterbacks taken early on, including four in Thursday night's first round.

Despite No. 1 overall pick Andrew Luck's game and status as the best player in this year's selection process, the former Stanford standout is not nearly positioned as well to succeed as the following guys. 

Check it out.

Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins, No. 2 overall

The rest of the Washington Redskins showed glimpses of being on the verge of competitiveness, although most of those came during their surprising 2-0 start to the season. Though they went on to finish 5-11, the Skins boasted the league's 14th-best passing offense with the likes of John Beck and Rex Grossman under center. Just imagine the impact a dual-threat quarterback like RG3 will have on Mike Shanahan's offense.

Roy Helu will become the feature back for Washington next season as well, which should provide the Redskins and Griffin with some balance. Though the reigning Heisman Trophy winner will take some spills in DC as they are inevitable for a rookie quarterback, he is in a better situation than No. 1 overall pick Andrew Luck in Indy.

Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins, No. 8 overall

The same size and athleticism that made Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill a coveted quarterback prospect will give him a chance to succeed early on at the next level with the Miami Dolphins. The Fins boast a top-10 rushing attack led by Reggie Bush, and they added slippery back Lamar Miller to that corps in the fourth round on Saturday. 

Given the success Matt Moore experienced last season in South Beach, Tannehill should be on his way to forging a decent starting career. New head coach Joe Philbin is an offensive guru, and Tannehill's former head coach with the Aggies, Mike Sherman, will also be a member of the Miami Dolphins in 2012.

Brandon Weeden, Cleveland Browns, No. 22 overall

The Cleveland Browns did well in this year's draft to not only pick up a quarterback with great potential but simultaneously surround him with weapons and protection.

Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden went 22nd overall to the Browns on Thursday night, effectively ending Colt McCoy's reign as starter in Cleveland. Weeden will join forces with explosive running back Trent Richardson in Ohio, along with wide receiver Travis Benjamin and offensive line prospects Mitchell Schwartz and Ryan Miller. Although the Browns have some serious improving and jelling left to do this offseason, Weeden's maturity as a near-30-year-old rookie will rub off on his offensive unit.

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