2012 NFL Mock Draft: Assessing the Top QBs on the Board

The 2012 NFL draft is only a hop, skip and jump away from taking place. There are more than a handful of teams that are already looking forward to the draft. These are the teams that are already out of the playoff picture and just want to move on to next season.

Quarterbacks are typically the stars of the NFL draft, and they will be again for the 2012 draft. This quarterback class has the potential to produce several stars. The biggest star will likely be Stanford's Andrew Luck, who is everyone's top overall prospect.

At this point, we don't know what prospects will make up the 2012 draft class. All the top quarterbacks are underclassmen including Luck, Matt Barkley, Landry Jones and Robert Griffin III. I have a feeling that all four will declare for the 2012 draft, but nothing is a guarantee.

Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, 1st Overall Pick

The Indianapolis Colts will need a major turnaround not to land the top overall pick. They are the only winless team, and they are just playing terrible football. Of course, this horrible season is being blamed on the injury to Peyton Manning.

However, Manning is just one player, and it takes an entire team to stink this bad. Manning's injury is very serious and even has some questioning his long term future. If Manning is unable to return to full strength, the Colts will need to find another quarterback.

Even if Manning does return, Indianapolis needs to add a quarterback of the future. Stanford's Andrew Luck is the top rated quarterback and top overall prospect. He is widely seen as a can't-miss prospect and as someone who will find instant success.

Miami Dolphins: Matt Barkley, 5th Overall Pick

USC's Matt Barkley has always been seen as a top notch NFL prospect. However, up until now many felt he would land outside the top 10. He is having a very strong finish to his Junior season, which has solidified his spot in the top 10. I have Barkley rated as my No. 2 quarterback, just a few notches behind Andrew Luck.

Barkley is a very smart and experienced quarterback, and he's ready to come in and make and instant impact. He has improved in each of his seasons at USC while also growing his knowledge of the game. Barkley might not be an elite athlete, but he is more than capable of succeeding at the next level.

The Miami Dolphins are in desperate need of a long-term solution at the quarterback spot. They need to find someone who can efficiently run the offense and sustain drives. Barkley is just the guy to step in and find a way to improve the offense.

Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, 7th Overall Pick

Baylor's Robert Griffin III has been the fastest rising prospect of this season. He went from being considered a run-first quarterback to a legitimate top 10 prospect. His accuracy improvements are what has helped his stock the most.

Griffin III has also benefited from the success of Cam Newton. Newton and Griffin III are both extremely athletic and come from a non-pro style system. Griffin III is going to need some time to learn the concepts of a new offense, but Newton has shown that this can be done on the fly.

The Washington Redskins quarterback of the future is not on their current roster. Neither Rex Grossman nor John Beck have a future as a starting quarterback. This was both Beck and Grossman's last opportunity to earn a long-term starting role.

Adding Griffin III would give the Redskins a playmaker at quarterback and some hope for the future.

Seattle Seahawks- Landry Jones, 11th Overall Pick

Of all the top quarterback prospects, Oklahoma's Landry Jones has had the most unstable draft stock. He has played good football, but continues to have some up-and-down performances. NFL teams prefer to see consistency.

However, Jones possesses the physical skills to remain high on many team's draft boards. He has a strong arm and the ability to reach all levels of the field. His accuracy has improved each season, as well as his decision-making. Jones possesses a ton of upside, which will no doubt help his draft stock.

The Seattle Seahawks need to add a young and talented quarterback to the roster. They currently have Tarvaris Jackson as their starter, and he is nothing more than a stop-gap solution. Jackson would be a good mentor for a young rookie quarterback.

Full 1st Round Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts—Andrew Luck, Quarterback—Stanford

2. Carolina Panthers—Jonathan Martin, Offensive Tackle—Stanford

3. Minnesota Vikings—Matt Kalil, Offensive Tackle—USC

4. St. Louis Rams—Justin Blackmon, Wide Receiver—Oklahoma State

5. Miami Dolphins—Matt Barkley, Quarterback—USC

6. Jacksonville Jaguars—Morris Claiborne, Cornerback—LSU

7. Washington Redskins—Robert Griffin III, Quarterback—Baylor

8. Arizona Cardinals—Vontaze Burfict, Linebacker—Arizona State

9. Cleveland Browns—Alshon Jeffery, Wide Receiver—South Carolina

10. Kansas City Chiefs—Manti Te'o, Linebacker—Notre Dame

11. Seattle Seahawks—Landry Jones, Quarterback—Oklahoma

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers—Dre Kirkpatrick, Cornerback—Alabama

13. Philadelphia Eagles—Luke Kuechly, Linebacker—Boston College

14. Buffalo Bills—Zach Brown, Linebacker—North Carolina

15. San Diego Chargers—Courtney Upshaw, Linebacker—Alabama

16. Denver Broncos—Trent Richardson, Running Back—Alabama

17. Tennessee Titans—Brandon Thompson, Defensive Tackle—Clemson

18. New York Jets—Melvin Ingram, Linebacker, DT, DE—South Carolina

19. Cleveland Browns (from ATL)—Quinton Coples, Defensive End—North Carolina

20. New York Giants—Riley Reiff, Offensive Tackle—Iowa

21. Cincinnati Bengals—David DeCastro, Guard—Stanford

22. Detroit Lions—Alfonzo Dennard, Cornerback—Nebraska

23. Chicago Bears—Michael Floyd, Wide Receiver—Notre Dame

24. Pittsburgh Steelers—Cordy Glenn, Offensive Line—Georgia

25. Cincinnati Bengals (from OAK)—Janoris Jenkins, Cornerback—North Alabama

26. Dallas Cowboys—Kevin Zeitler, Guard—Wisconsin

27. Houston Texans—Ronnell Lewis, Linebacker—Oklahoma

28. New England Patriots (from NO)—Mark Barron, Safety—Alabama

29. New England Patriots—Devon Still, Defensive Line—Penn State

30. San Francisco 49ers—Stephon Gilmore, Cornerback—South Carolina

31. Baltimore Ravens—Mike Adams, Offensive Tackle—Ohio State

32. Green Bay Packers—Kendall Reyes, Defensive Line—Connecticut