2013 NFL Draft Projections: Breaking Down Best Destination for Top QBs

Pity the teams looking for a top quarterback in the 2013 draft.

While there are some talented prospects, you don't have the same kind of top-end talent that looks like a sure bet to make multiple Pro Bowls.

And in this day and age, you need to get a franchise quarterback in order to become a Super Bowl. Prior to the increased emphasis on the passing game, you could build a team around a solid defense or running game while paving a road to the Lombardi Trophy.

This draft is so tricky because teams are left to gamble much more on which quarterbacks are going to be the most successful, best fit and whatever other parameters they use.

Considering the top options in the draft, here are where the most optimal destinations are for some of the biggest QB names in the draft.

No. 4 Philadelphia Eagles: Geno Smith, West Virginia

Many are skeptical as to what Geno Smith's ceiling is in the NFL. He's far a can't-miss prospect, but he has the tools necessary to succeed in the NFL.

People knocking his football IQ forget the kind of reads he needed to make at the line of scrimmage while at West Virginia. Sure, he threw a ton of passes, but that just opened up the chance to make a mistake. Smith only threw 21 interceptions in his four years as a Mountaineer.

Whether it's with the fourth pick or they trade down in the first round, the Eagles would be smart picking up Smith. He's the best fit for the kind of offensive system Chip Kelly is likely to use.

No. 8 Buffalo Bills: Ryan Nassib, Syracuse

He woul be a bit of a reach at No. 8, but Ryan Nassib will still turn out to be a productive pick for the Buffalo Bills. It's safe to say Kevin Kolb isn't the long-term answer at quarterback for Buffalo, so getting a top QB in the draft should be a top priority.

Nassib isn't great in terms of accuracy, but he's accurate enough to succeed in the NFL. That trait complements his pretty strong arm.

While not an athletic freak, Nassib also has enough mobility in the pocket to elude pass-rushers to create some more time for himself. That mobility is key considering how skilled Nassib has been at checking through his reads on a play and finding the open man.

No. 38 Arizona Cardinals: Matt Barkley, USC

Arizona would be a perfect situation for Matt Barkley. He's got a former Trojan in Carson Palmer who can show him the ropes. At 33 years old, Palmer can still remain a productive starter, so Barkley can sit on the bench and learn until he's ready to take over as the starting QB, much as Palmer did with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Barkley would also get to learn from Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians. Arians has proven himself adept at molding young signal-callers, as he's done with Ben Roethlisberger, Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck.

While a talented prospect, Barkley isn't without his flaws. Getting coached by somebody like Arians will help Barkley smooth out the edges and maximize his potential.

No. 39 New York Jets: E.J. Manuel, Florida State

Selecting Barkley would almost set the guy up for failure because fans would immediately start making parallels to fellow Trojan Mark Sanchez. The New York Jets need a quarterback, and E.J. Manuel is their man.

Manuel is a fantastic athlete, probably more so than even Smith. He's a threat to tuck the ball and eat up yardage. Defenses will have to be on their toes when he's under center.

At 6'4", Manuel has the kind of build teams love to see when looking at quarterbacks.

One of the biggest problems for Manuel is that he's not adept at reading defenses. That should come with experience, and with Sanchez as the likely starter going into the opening week, Manuel will have time to adjust to NFL defenses.