2012 NFL Mock Draft: Which Quarterbacks Are Next off Board After Andrew Luck?

With so many quarterbacks taken early in the 2011 NFL Draft, it seems that the future is set for many teams at the position.

Guys such as Blaine Gabbert, Jake Locker and Christian Ponder aren’t even starting for their respective clubs yet, while Cam Newton and Andy Dalton are attempting to dive right in and learn the NFL game.

However, there are quite a few teams that look to be heading toward the early portions of the first round who don’t have a long-term solution for their signal caller yet.

Let’s take a look at the three guys who have a great chance to come off the board in the first round after Andrew Luck gets taken.

Landry Jones

Jones has the intangibles and measurables to be the second quarterback off the board. He is 6'4", 230 pounds and has been playing in the Oklahoma system that produced Sam Bradford since the former No. 1 overall pick’s injury in 2009.

Jones won the Sammy Baugh Award in 2010 for having the most completions and second most yards and touchdowns in the nation while leading his team to a Fiesta Bowl victory.

He is a Heisman candidate this year and is leading the No. 1-ranked team in the country on the hunt for a BCS National Title.

I see nothing wrong with Jones, and he could end up becoming a franchise NFL quarterback.

Nick Foles

Foles has been projected to go anywhere between the first and fourth rounds, but I really think this kid is going to be an NFL star.

He has the size, at 6'5", 240 pounds, and athleticism that teams look for in a franchise quarterback. He can make every throw right now, but he needs to tune up his release and mechanics before making the leap into the first round.

I can see a team taking a chance on this kid early because he has amazing potential and should be a great quarterback in the National Football League.

Kirk Cousins

The three-year starter at Michigan State has incredible leadership and ability to complement his decent size and athleticism.

I can see this guy leading a team and never getting rattled at the next level. He is a proficient passer, and his accuracy will definitely transfer to the NFL. Last season at Michigan State, he completed 68 percent of his passes and the interceptions he threw weren’t awful. 

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