2012 NFL Draft: 4 Reasons NFL Teams Should Trade out of Drafting Andrew Luck

Andrew Luck is being heralded as the best quarterback prospect since John Elway.

He is widely considered a can't-miss prospect who will change the future of a franchise. Is it possible to pass up a player this highly-touted?

Yes—there are several reasons to make a move and trade the rights to Andrew Luck.

I do feel that drafting Andrew Luck is the right decision for any of the 32 NFL franchises. He is a great prospect who would be considered an upgrade for most quarterback situations.

However, I am going to try to persuade you to trade the rights to Andrew Luck.

Keep an open mind, as a lot can be gained by striking a deal. These types of decisions are the things that drive general managers crazy.

Drafting Andrew Luck isn't the slam dunk most believe, as you can bet the team with the first pick will field a ton of phone calls.

Trade Andrew Luck Because You Have Another Quarterback Option

This is a pretty simple reason to trade the rights of Andrew Luck.

Finding a franchise quarterback is a tough task, so if you feel you have one, it might be easier to pass on Luck.

The teams that might find themselves in this situation are the Indianapolis Colts, St. Louis Rams, Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings.

Each of those teams have a lot invested in their current quarterbacks.

Are they willing to start over with another rookie quarterback? Do they feel that Luck is actually an upgrade over their current starting quarterback? These will be the questions facing one of these teams if they land the top overall pick.

I feel that if you have someone like Sam Bradford, you need to stick with your guy.

Bradford has shown that he is capable of winning football games. He is struggling this season, but his future remains bright. Bringing in Andrew Luck doesn't guarantee you automatic success.

The same could be said for the rest of these franchises, outside of Indianapolis. The Colts are in a different situation, as they have an aging/injured star quarterback. If they decide to draft Luck, it would be for the eventual replacement for Peyton Manning.

However, Manning is still capable of leading a team to a Super Bowl. He needs to be surrounded with talent for another run.

Trade Andrew Luck Because You Have a Lot of Needs

Andrew Luck is going to be the most sought-after prospect in the 2012 draft.

Every team looking for a quarterback will covet this player, creating a very interesting scenario, as the trade compensation could be astronomical.

If you're a team that has many needs, you could potentially have an opportunity to fill a lot of those holes.

It would be impossible to predict the compensation for acquiring the top pick, but you can expect to see multi-first-round picks involved.

For example, the Bears traded two first-round picks (and other things) for the rights to Jay Culter.

The quarterback position might be the most important one on the field, but football is a team game. No quarterback can win a Super Bowl without a good supporting cast.

Trade Andrew Luck Because Good Quarterbacks Can Be Found Later

If you look across the NFL landscape, you will find plenty of successful quarterbacks who were not drafted No. 1 overall.

The NFL is made up of later-round quarterbacks who have been overlooked only to find success.

Top quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Drew Brees were both selected outside the first round.

These guys have won more combined Super Bowls than Peyton Manning and Eli Manning, two former No. 1 overall picks.

So, you consider trading the top pick because you can gain assets and find your quarterback later in the draft.

Finding a good later-round quarterback is easier said than done. It takes some luck and a good scouting department.

However, it also depends on the coaching staff and their ability to develop talent.

This reason to trade Luck is only an option because of the compensation you will receive. This trade will provide a franchise with plenty of assets to improve their football team.

Trade Andrew Luck Because You Can Draft Matt Barkley

USC's Matt Barkley is not the same level of prospect as Andrew Luck.

He is a good football player but has several question marks surrounding his game.

However, if you take Luck out of this draft class, Barkley would likely be a top-five selection.

Barkley is more than capable of developing into a franchise quarterback. He possesses the physical tools and football IQ necessary to have success.

Barkley has gained a ton of experience, starting since the first game of his freshman season. He is an accurate passer who knows how to read a defense.

A team could land Barkley several spots lower than the top pick. This means that a potential trade with another top 10 team could still land you a good quarterback prospect.

Trading down and aiming to select Matt Barkley would be a risky move. However, it would provide your team with extra picks and possibly your franchise quarterback.