2012 NFL Mock Draft: Why Robert Griffin III Is Next Transcendent NFL QB

Brett Deering/Getty Images

Robert Griffin III has the potential to totally alter what we believe an NFL quarterback is capable of. 

Kind of like Cam Newton. 

Heading into last year's draft, Newton ran too much, wasn't accurate enough and didn't have the experience in a "pro-style" offense. 

Michael Vick's affinity to run the football made many question his ability as a professional quarterback as well. 

Delivering the football quickly and accurately within the pocket will forever be the most important facet of being a quarterback. That goes without question. 

However, we've witnessed guys like Vick and Newton change conventional wisdom. 

Griffin III is next, and he's got the skills to be even better. 

You want accuracy and arm strength? 

Griffin III is completing 75.4 percent of his passes and is averaging 10.24 yards per attempt.

To put that into perspective, Ben Roethlisberger completed 69 percent of his passes on 9.1 yards per attempt at Miami of Ohio before entering the draft. Aaron Rodgers completed 66 percent at 8.1 yards per attempt at Cal. 

Videos you might like

Sure, he plays in the wide-open Big 12, where defense has clearly been optional for the last few seasons. However, a 75 completion percentage with that many yards per attempt cannot be ignored. 

No Tim Tebow-like elongated motion, either.

By the way, he's thrown 23 touchdowns and only four interceptions. 

As for being a new-age, freakish athlete playing quarterback, Griffin III has got all you'd ever want. 

At 6'2'' and 220 lbs, he falls right in between Vick and Newton's size and build.

He has tremendous speed and a Vick-esque instinct to escape the rush and gain positive yardage, while looking downfield for open receivers. 

He had a 71-yard scamper last season and has three rushing touchdowns this year, along with 322 yards. 

If anything, he's scaled back his scrambling and really focused on throwing the football this season.

Whether you're a guy that loves your quarterback to continually throw darts from the pocket, or you're like me—and you love the possibility that guys like Newton and Vick bring on every snap—Robert Griffin III can give you the best of both worlds. He has the promise to be the next transcendent figure in the NFL.

2012 NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck	17. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller
2. Miami Dolphins: Landry Jones	18. Chicago Bears: Michael Floyd
3. St. Louis Rams: Alshon Jeffery	19. Baltimore Ravens: Luke Kuechly
4. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III	20. Cleveland Browns: Manti Te'
5. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin	21. New York Giants: Janoris Jenkins
6. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil	22. Philadelphia Eagles: Vontaze Burfict
7. Denver Broncos: Trent Richardson	23. Oakland Raiders: Cliff Harris
8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Blackmon	24. San Diego Chargers: Ronnell Lewis
9. Seattle Seahawks: Matt Barkley	25. Houston Texans: Alameda Ta'Amu
10. Carolina Panthers: Morris Claiborne	26. San Francisco 49ers: Nick Toon
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Cordy Glenn	27. Buffalo Bills: Donte Paige-Moss
12. Cleveland Browns: Riley Reiff	28. New England Patriots: Courtney Upshaw
13. Tennessee Titans: Melvin Ingram	29. Pittsburgh Steelers: David DeCastro
14. Dallas Cowboys: Stephon Gilmore	30. Detroit Lions: Alphonzo Denard
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dre Kirkpatrick	31. New England Patriots: Quinton Coples
16. New York Jets: Jerel Worthy	32. Green Bay Packers: Brandon Jenkins