2012 NFL Draft: Ranking the Top 25 Available QBs

With the beginning of each college football season, the NFL draft hype starts. With each snap taken, thousands of draft fanatics are watching, evaluating and ranking prospects. 

At the center of this is the quarterback. No position garners more publicity, scrutiny and admiration. So it only make sense that this position is the primary focus of talent evaluator everywhere.

And with good reason: A quarterback has been the first pick of the NFL Draft in 11 of the past 14 drafts. 

With this in mind, here's a preview of the top 25 draft eligible quarterbacks in the 2012 NFL Draft.

1. Andrew Luck, JR (RS), Stanford

The general consensus is that Andrew Luck is the prospect of the decade. Luck is the prototype quarterback, weighing in at 6'4" 235 with great accuracy, intelligence and surprising athleticism.

Under the tutelage of former NFL quarterback (and current San Francisco 49ers head coach) Jim Harbaugh, Luck has developed into one of the most efficient passers in NCAA history, completing 70.7 percent of his passes while averaging nine yards per attempt in 2010. 

Luck was expected to be the first pick of the 2011 NFL Draft before he shocked nearly everyone and elected to return to Stanford for his junior season. This year, however, a controversy is unlikely as Luck has stated that the 2011 season will be his last. 

Luck offers a skill set that hasn't been seen from a prospect since Peyton Manning was the first pick in the 1998 draft. Harbaugh gave Luck the flexibility to audible at the line of scrimmage, and Luck ran Harbaugh's pro style system like no other quarterback in college football could. 

The similarities to Manning continue, as Luck is not only intelligent, but also very accurate. However, unlike Manning, Luck also has the ability to run for a first down if needed, and had 453 rushing yards in 2010.

While Luck is a phenomenal prospect, he is not perfect and does have some "flaws," though you have to dig to find them. His deep ball floats a little bit and while his arm strength is good, it is not great. Some will also question how much Luck benefited from Jim Harbaugh's scheme, though the 2011 season should be a good test of that.

Luck is, by all accounts, the No. 1 prospect entering the 2011 college football season, and it will take a complete collapse for him to not be the first player off the board in 2012.

2. Matt Barkley, JR, USC

While not at Luck's level, Barkley is an excellent prospect in his own right. In fact, Barkley is actually more physically talented than his Stanford counterpart. With a rocket arm and a 6'2" 220 frame, Barkley has the talent of a number one pick. 

The top quarterback recruit in 2009, Barkley arrived at USC with huge expectations, and for the most part, he has delivered. Barkley became the first true freshman in USC history to start the first game of the season at quarterback.

While he showed flashes as a freshman, Barkley greatly improved before his sophomore season, and for the first time, carried the Trojan offense.

As well as having a big arm, Barkley also possesses quick feet and pocket presence.  He has an uncanny ability to avoid the rush while still keeping his eyes down field.  This can be one of the biggest challenges for a young quarterback, but Barkley already has it mastered.

However, Barkley is still quite raw as a player. His footwork is a major issue and he has a tendency to throw off of his back foot, leading to inconsistent accuracy.  Even when his footwork isn't a problem, his accuracy is spotty and it needs to be improved. 

While Barkley's upside is enormous, he has yet to really play up to his talent level and his play varies from game to game. In one game, Barkley will look like Brett Favre 20 years younger, in another, he will look like any other quarterback with a big arm and nothing else.

His athleticism is also a slight concern, as he is not one to scramble or throw outside the pocket.

While Barkley certainly has some flaws to work on, with a good season in 2011, he could end up as a prospect similar to Matthew Stafford, who also failed to play to his potential prior to his junior season. If Barkley continues to progress at the same rate, he could also be a top five selection in the 2012 draft.

Landry Jones, JR (RS), Oklahoma

The third big name draft eligible quarterback, Jones has the ability to be a top 10 pick. Unlike the previous two, Jones plays in an offense that complicates his evaluation.

Oklahoma's offense features many quick slants and screens, and Landry is rarely asked to throw down field.

However, what can be seen from Jones is good. He has great size at 6'4" 230 and demonstrates a strong arm when he is asked to use it. His accuracy isn't at the level of his predecessor, Sam Bradford's, but it is probably his best attribute as a quarterback. 

Jones's biggest problems will stem from the offense he plays in at Oklahoma. In general, Jones is required to make very few reads and never audibles. He will have a learning curve upon entering the NFL, but he should be able to overcome that relatively easily, as Sam Bradford apparently has.

If both Jones and Barkley have good seasons, they could be left fighting to be the second quarterback off the board and a top 10 pick.

Ryan Tannehill, SR, Texas A&M

Tannehill is a rare player who switched from wide receiver to quarterback prior to the 2010 season. With a strong arm and good mobility, Tannehill possesses excellent physical tools and has the ability to be a great player. 

His accuracy is much better than expected for someone so new to the position, and he is on his way to being a complete player. 

Tannehill still needs to work on the mental aspect of the game, and he is not yet adept at making reads and audibling. This is to be expected, but it is something to keep an eye on moving forward. Some mechanical adjustments do need to be made, but an overhaul is not necessary.

A player with good potential, Tannehill was a pleasant surprise in 2010, and if he continues to develop, could be a first-round pick in 2012.

Ryan Lindley, SR, San Diego State

Lindley is yet another strong-armed quarterback with a surplus of physical talent. With an arm that is borderline elite, Lindley has the ability to be a great player, but he likely will not be a highly touted prospect.

Lindley's arm is undoubtedly his biggest strength as a player, but he needs to work on the other aspects of his game. His accuracy is average at best, and he has a tendency to gamble a bit too much. Often, Lindley will take shots into double coverage, only to be intercepted. 

While his tendency to try to make a big play sometimes pays off, it far too often doesn't. His release is also rather long, though it isn't a huge issue.

On the whole, Lindley is a player with good upside, but it is unlikely that he will ever reach his full potential.

Nick Foles, SR, Arizona

While Foles has certainly been productive, he is an extremely difficult player to project. His offensive scheme has padded his stats and also makes him tricky to evaluate. 

Foles shows great accuracy on short passes and is one of the game's best in that department. He gets good zip on intermediate throws and places the ball in perfect position for the receiver to make a play. He also has prototype size and should be able to handle an NFL beating.

However, Foles doesn't have an overly strong arm and struggles to play vertically. His slow feet and long release make him extremely sack-prone, and he has almost zero mobility.

Brandon Weeden, SR, Oklahoma State

Weeden is an interesting prospect in many ways. A former second-round pick in the MLB draft, Weeden turned to football in 2007 and had great success leading Oklahoma State's offense in 2010. If this isn't enough, Weeden will be 28 years old in October of 2011.

Weeden has great accuracy and the physical size and ability to play quarterback, but there are many concerns as well. While playing baseball, he suffered a serious shoulder injury and this could remain an issue. 

In addition to the injury concern, Weeden has yet to demonstrate a strong arm and his footwork needs refining. 

Weeden is a good prospect as a player, but his age will likely be a factor in how high he is drafted. Even a team in need of a quarterback will struggle to use a high draft pick on a 29-year-old rookie, and Weeden is far from a perfect player as it is.

Kirk Cousins, SR, Michigan State

Cousins is a player who is decent at nearly everything but fails to stand out in any one area. He has decent size and physical tools, and possesses good intelligence. The fact that he played in a pro-style offense will also help him come draft day. 

However, a lack of good accuracy holds him back significantly. He struggles to throw on target to any part of the field and lacks the physical tools to make up for it. However, his accuracy did improve between his sophomore and junior seasons, and it is possible that this will continue. 

Regardless of whether Cousins improves or not, he does not have the skill set to be a high draft pick and may struggle to be drafted at all.

B.J. Coleman, JR (RS), Tennessee-Chattanooga

It seems like nearly every year there is a small school quarterback with quality physical tools. This year that player is B.J. Coleman.

Coleman has great size at 6'5" 220 and a very strong arm as well. His accuracy is decent and on the whole, he seems to be an intelligent player. His mobility is far from a strength, but overall, he's a good player.

The big concern with Coleman is the obvious one: Competition. Playing at Chattanooga leaves Coleman going up against many shaky defenses, and he is typically the best player in a game by a wide margin. 

Despite this problem, if Coleman has a solid season, he could find himself getting drafted in the late rounds as a developmental player.

Kellen Moore, SR, Boise State

Moore is one of the most well known players in college football and has been the driving force behind the extremely successful Boise State teams in recent years.

One of the most productive players in college football, Moore finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting following the 2010 season. A very accurate passer, Moore is the typical smart quarterback lacking in physical skills. He completed 71.3 percent of his passes in 2010, but did not demonstrate the arm strength to be an NFL quarterback. 

Also extremely small at 6'1" 190, it will be extremely difficult for Moore to be anything but a late-round pick.

Many fans will want their team to draft Moore, but he is unlikely to ever be anything beyond a productive college quarterback, as he lacks the physical ability to make it in the NFL.

Chandler Harnish, SR, Northern Illinois

Harnish is solid physically, but has a long way to go as a quarterback. He has decent arm strength and is an excellent runner, but is raw, at best, when it comes to throwing the football.

His accuracy is incredibly spotty, and he consistently misses open receivers. This, combined with his tendency to throw into double coverage, is an especially bad combination for turnovers. 

Harnish has an incredibly slim chance of being drafted, but he may be looked at as an undrafted free agent due to his athleticism and running ability.

Case Keenum, SR, Houston

Case Keenum is best known for putting up gaudy numbers in Houston's spread offense. Unfortunately for Keenum, college statistics don't transfer to NFL success. 

With lackluster arm strength, small size and poor accuracy, Keenum has little chance at an NFL future.  Keenum is rarely asked to throw deep and throws little besides short patterns. 

With poor footwork to boot, there is little to like about Keenum as a prospect, but his productivity will lead to some interest.

Dominique Davis, SR, East Carolina

In his first year of starting for the Pirates, Davis was extremely productive, throwing for 3,967 yards and 37 touchdowns. An excellent athlete, Davis rarely chose to run when he had the option to pass. 

Despite his high level of production, as a player, Davis is nothing special. He has decent physical tools but isn't overly accurate or intelligent, and his physical tools aren't special enough to overcome his shortcomings. 

However, his production and athleticism will likely attract the interest of some teams looking for a project.

Stephen Garcia, SR, South Carolina

Garcia is a bit of an oddity. He has good physical ability with solid arm strength and athleticism, but he never seems to play to his ability, even with a great run game. 

He doesn't throw an overly tight spiral and his mechanics can be extremely sloppy at times, but on the whole, he is a decent player. 

His biggest problems are lapses in concentration and terrible off the field issues. If it weren't for character concerns, Garcia would be a draftable player, but his physical tools simply aren't good enough to overcome those issues.

G.J. Kinne, SR, Tulsa

Another small school quarterback with great production, Kinne is a bit of an unknown. Capable of passing and running, Kinne threw for 3,650 yards with 31 touchdowns in 2010, while also running for 561 yards. 

Despite this success, Kinne did not demonstrate great physical ability and rarely threw deep. His decision making was somewhat suspect, and his offensive system was certainly a huge aid to his numbers.

However, production is always appealing and his size suggests some potential outside of college football.

Aaron Corp, SR, Richmond

A former USC Trojan, Corp is a player who has never started but has potential.

At one point considered the heir apparent to Mark Sanchez, Corp has struggled with injuries throughout his career, preventing him from ever earning a starting job at USC. 

After transferring to Richmond, Corp will finally start and have a chance to demonstrate his ability.  However, even if he does show excellent skills, he is only 205 pounds and is unlikely to be drafted.

Austin Davis, SR, Southern Miss

Davis has produced good, but not great numbers as a starter since 2008, but will need to progress at a faster rate to have any chance at an NFL future. 

With good size and athleticism, Davis is a legitimate dual threat quarterback who is capable of carrying a team to victory. 

Despite his college success, Davis has very few skills that transfer to the pro game and is a long shot at the next level.

Patrick Witt, SR, Yale

Witt was the star of the Ivy League, leading the conference in a multitude of passing statistics, including yards, completion percentage and attempts. 

Witt has good size and has obviously produced at a higher level than his peers, but is still far from what can be considered productive. 

With a lack of high level competition and great numbers, it is doubtful that Witt will be seriously considered as a prospect.

Russell Wilson, SR, Wisconsin

Wilson is a productive passer who lacks the size and physical tools to really advance beyond the college level. 

While he does have good accuracy and mobility, his arm is quite weak and he is very small.

A good college quarterback, Wilson should continue to play will for Wisconsin, but his career will likely end after his senior season in 2011.

John Brantley, SR, Florida

To say Brantley struggled in 2010 would be a huge understatement. The first-year starter threw more interceptions than touchdowns and failed to even come close to filling Tim Tebow's enormous shoes. 

However, Brantley does still have some potential. He has good size and quality physical tools, and with a good season could become draftable. 

Based on last year's performance, that isn't too likely, but it's not impossible either.

Jordan Jefferson, SR, LSU

Jefferson is more of a runner than a passer, but he has the ability to be productive throwing the ball. 

While he does possess a strong arm, accuracy and decision making have plagued Jefferson's game, and he has a tendency to run before he has exhausted his options in the passing game. 

Great size, speed and strength make Jefferson an excellent runner, but in order to even be signed as an undrafted free agent he will need to dramatically improve as a passer.

Matt Simms, SR, Tennessee

A transfer from Louisville, Simms didn't get much of an opportunity to play for the Volunteers in 2010 when Tyler Bray seized the starting job. 

As capable of a player as he is, Simms simply will never have the opportunity to show what he can do, and this unfortunately leaves him as an unknown and likely undrafted player.

Tyler Lantrip, SR, Nevada

Lantrip sat behind Colin Kapernick in 2010, but will be the starter for the Wolfpack during the 2011 season. 

A bit of a change of pace for Nevada, Lantrip is more of a passer than a runner and it will be interesting to see how he is used as the year progresses. 

Lantrip has good size at 6'4" 220 and could flash in his lone season as a starter.

Matt Scott, SR, Arizona

As the backup to Nick Foles, Scott will not see significant playing time unless Foles suffers an injury.  Scott played well in limited action during the 2010 season and showed some potential. 

However, his lack of playing time and NFL size make him unlikely to be drafted or even considered as an undrafted free agent. 

But, if Foles does get injured, Scott has a chance to make a name for himself.

Brian Reader, SR, Idaho

Reader has good size and will start for the first time in 2011. Seeing limited action in both 2009 and 2010, Reader showed some potential and produced when given the chance. 

But playing for Idaho and having never previously started limits Reader's draftability, and it would be a major shock for him to reach prospect status.