2012 NFL Draft: 5 Teams That Should Trade Up to Select Andrew Luck

According to Michael David Smith of NBC Sports, Andrew Luck is ready for the NFL draft.

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"Luck said on ESPN that he considers himself 'absolutely' prepared to leave college and enter the NFL draft."

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Now, although Luck is slated to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft, if the Colts are open to proposals from teams to trade up, which teams should make a deal?

Well, obviously not every bad team is in the need of a QB.

Cleveland just needs to get some talent around Colt McCoy, as does Jacksonville with Blaine Gabbert (Browns anywhere, Jags mainly WR).

There's a similar situation in Minnesota, as QB Christian Ponder's best receiving weapon is Percy Harvin, who's not your typical slot WR.

All that being said, here are five teams that should try to trade up to get Andrew Luck.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In Josh Freeman's rookie season he played in 10 games, threw 10 TDs compared to 18 INTs and fumbled six times.

It was safe to say that he wasn't quite prepared for the NFL but did show some promise.

Then he went off in 2010, throwing 25 TDs to just six INTs, only five fumbles and over 3,400 yards.

That said, 2011 was expected to be a similar season despite lacking receiving targets, as Freeman was held to a much higher standard. Not to mention the running game was expected to be more consistent.

Well, all has been for naught in 2011, and Freeman has thrown just 12 TDs compared to 16 INTs. The Tampa Bay offense has been inconsistent, and it's clear that Freeman isn't a big threat to defenses.

Now, he still has potential, but trading up for Luck will only make him and Luck better through training camp.

Or if the Bucs are willing, put Freeman in the trade and send him to Indy while Luck takes over in Tampa.

Either way, the Bucs would be starting over since Freeman's been inconsistent. However, it's unlikely they make the move, as the defense needs to improve more than the offense.

Nonetheless, it's not a bad idea for Tampa Bay to consider.

Arizona Cardinals

Poor Kevin Kolb, he just can't catch a break.

Too bad WR Larry Fitzgerald has been the one suffering the most on the Cardinals throughout the years.

If you take away Kurt Warner, you have a QB under center every year that Fitzgerald is responsible for making look good.

Just throw it up and let him go get the rock, regardless of the coverage or how accurate.

Much has been the same in 2011 also. Whether it was Kolb or John Skelton, it's been Fitzgerald making them better and not the other way around.

Well, if Arizona can make a deal for Andrew Luck (maybe throw in Kolb among others to the Colts), this will be a QB helping Fitz out.

Not to mention Larry Arizona (self-dubbed nickname) deserves a solid QB, because even Kurt Warner was old when he came to the Cardinals.

Give Larry Fitzgerald Andrew Luck, and the two will take each other's game to another level. In addition, that takes pressure off an already-improving rushing attack and defense.

Let's do the right thing, Arizona, and give Fitzgerald an overdue and much-deserving stud QB. You know you want to.

Seattle Seahawks

Andrew Luck going to Seattle would be one interesting situation.

You have an offensive genius in Pete Carroll, who knows the Pacific Conference football all too well—you can bet making a move for Luck has had to cross his mind.

We can talk all we want about how Tarvaris Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst have improved this season, but neither are franchise QBs.

Also, Seattle's best WR is former Stanford Cardinal Doug Baldwin.

That's chemistry right off the bat in The Great Northwest.

Now include the fanbase of all the Oregon, Oregon State, Washington and Washington State fans. How glad would they feel that Andrew Luck is now on their side and not the opponent's?

Plus, Luck significantly helps out the Seattle ground game. RB Marshawn Lynch has revived his career in Seattle, but it would skyrocket with Luck under center.

The defense would put so much attention on stopping Luck and the passing game along with blitzes, and Lynch would become a more versatile back.

Add in the Seahawks' tough defense (underrated), and they become a much more complete team.

Washington Redskins

Rex Grossman's vehement inconsistency aside, the man is 31 years old, so the window is closing on the former Florida Gator.

Now let's count his inconsistency, and Washington desperately needs to trade up for Andrew Luck.

John Beck is not a franchise QB, and although none of the Redskin WRs are significantly established, they are good enough for Luck to make them better.

Also, if you give a good offensive-minded coach like Mike Shanahan time to work with Luck from the beginning, and they will improve the Washington offense. The ground game has potential, and the defense is only getting better.

So, the pieces are in play at the nation's capital, except at QB.

Of all the teams mentioned here, the Redskins should likely be the team that's most interested in making a deal. With other NFC East QBs in Tony Romo, Eli Manning and Michael Vick, Washington can't afford to play another season with Grossman/Beck at the helm.

Their defense is good—but not that good.

Kansas City Chiefs

This offseason it's going to be a whirlwind of QBs with Matt Cassel, Tyler Palko and Kyle Orton in Kansas City.

The only problem, however, is that none have the potential like Andrew Luck.

Of the three, Cassel is definitely the best and gives K.C. the best shot, when he's healthy.

So, if the Chiefs do want to make a move for Luck, don't be shocked if they send Orton and change to Indianapolis.

Luck would be good competition with Cassel in training camp, and it would definitely make them better.

Not to mention it's a win-win situation. We've seen Cassel have success before, so if that continues in 2012, then so be it. But if that does not happen, then you give Luck the keys and let him go.

Include Cassel now being somewhat injury-prone, and Luck will be ready to go at any time. Kansas City needs something to match Tebowmania in Denver, and Andrew Luck is that answer.

2012 First Round NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stan.)	17. New York Jets: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)
2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR (Okla. St.)	18. Tennessee Titans: Jeff Fuller, WR (Tex. A&M)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Morris Claiborne, DB (LSU)	19. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB (UNC)
4. Miami Dolphins: Matt Barkley, QB (USC)	20. Cincinnati Bengals: David DeCastro, G (Stan.)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Devon Still, DT (Penn St.)	21. Cleveland (From ATL): Vontaze Burfict, LB (ASU)
6. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR (ND)	22. Cincinnati (From Oak): Jonathan Martin, OT (Stan.)
7. Arizona Cardinals: Alshon Jeffery, WR (S. Car.)	23. Chicago Bears: Nick Toon, WR (Wisc.)
8. Seattle Seahawks: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)	24. Denver Broncos: Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Neb.)
9. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB (Ala.)	25. Dallas Cowboys: Quinton Coples, DE (UNC)
10. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin, QB (Baylor)	26. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)
11 .Philadelphia Eagles: Manti Te'o, LB (N.D.)	27. Houston Texans: Jerel Worthy, DT (Mich. St.)
12. Carolina Panthers: Brandon Thompson, DT (Clem)	28. N.E. (From N.O): Cam Johnson, DE (Virginia)
13. San Diego Chargers: Courtney Upshaw, LB (Ala.)	29. New England Patriots: Mark Barron, S (Ala.)
14. Kansas City Chiefs: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Ala.)	30. San Francisco 49ers: Chase Minnifield, CB (UVA)
15. Buffalo Bills: Janoris Jenkins, CB (N. Ala.)	31. Baltimore Ravens: Luke Kuechly, LB (B.C.)
16. New York Giants: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio St.)	32. Green Bay Packers: Melvin Ingram, DE (S. Car.)

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