2012 NFL Draft: Projecting Landing Spots for Top 15 QBs

Toward the end of the NFL season, some fans are starting to look at the upcoming draft. Most of these fans root for teams that will own an early pick. Most of these teams need a quarterback.

Quarterback is the most talked about position in the NFL and for good reason. No other position in football impacts a game nearly as much as the quarterback does.

Every fan knows about Andrew Luck and Matt Barkley. Most fans can even guess that Luck will be a member of the Indianapolis Colts in a year. It's guys like Russell Wilson that fans don't know as well.

Each NFL team has different needs at the quarterback position. The Cincinnati Bengals would prefer an accurate passer that fits the West Coast offense. The Oakland Raiders, on the other hand, need a quarterback that can run a vertical offense.

Some of these prospects are perfect fits for their future NFL teams. Some will have to adjust to the offense, or the offense to the player.

Other picks just make sense.

15. Chandler Harnish: Northern Illinois

NFL Team: Baltimore Ravens

Chandler Harnish possesses great arm strength and is a talented player, but he needs a lot of work. At 6'2", 220 pounds, Harnhish isn't overly tall but has good bulk.

A good athlete, Harnish needs to improve his accuracy and decision-making. Though he has been extremely productive, Harnish doesn't make many progressions and must learn to commit to the pass.

Don't expect Harnish to be anything more than an undrafted free agent, but the Ravens could use a good backup quarterback.

14. Aaron Corp: Richmond

NFL Team: Buffalo Bills

A former USC Trojan, Aaron Corp has talent but is incredibly inconsistent. Out of high school, Corp was a highly-valued recruit, so he is obviously a skilled player.

At USC, Corp struggled with injuries and was never able to earn a starting spot. Corp finally started an entire season in 2011 with mixed results.

One game, Corp would look brilliant—a future first-round pick. Other games, however, Corp would look like he shouldn't even be mentioned with the draft.

Buffalo has a decent backup in Tyler Thigpen, but he is nothing special. Then there's the fact that the team's third-sting quarterback—Brad Smith—is a wide receiver.

13. Dominique Davis: East Carolina

NFL Team: Dallas Cowboys

Though he used to attend Boston College, Dominique Davis has found success at East Carolina. The 6'3", 215 pounder is an above-average runner with passing ability as well.

Davis doesn't possess great arm strength, but he is relatively accurate. There are always concerns about quarterbacks from spread offenses, yet Davis's production can't be completely ignored. He does need to improve his decision-making and cut back on interceptions, though.

The Cowboys don't have any great backup quarterbacks, and Davis is talented enough to develop into that role. It's not likely that Davis would ever replace Tony Romo, but he could still be of value.

12. B.J. Coleman: Chattanooga

NFL Team: Green Bay Packers

B.J. Coleman has great size at 6'5", 220 pounds and a very strong arm as well. His accuracy is decent, and on the whole, he seems to be an intelligent player. His mobility is far from a strength, but overall, he's a good player.

The big concern with Coleman is the obvious one: competition. Playing at Chattanooga leaves Coleman going up against many shaky defenses, and he is typically the best player in a game by a wide margin.

With Matt Flynn likely leaving in free agency, the Packers are in need of a quarterback. Ideally, Coleman develops into a good backup for Green Bay. With his physical ability, Coleman could even end up as trade bait.

11. Russell Wilson: Wisconsin

NFL Team: Miami Dolphins

In his first season starting for Wisconsin, Russell Wilson was one of college football's best players. Wilson possesses a good arm, above-average accuracy and excellent athleticism.

However, Wilson is just 5'11" and 205 pounds. Though he may be talented enough to overcome his size and become a backup quarterback in the NFL, it is unlikely he will ever be a starter.

The Dolphins have an obvious need for a quarterback, and Wilson has enough potential to appeal to the team in the later rounds.

10. Kellen Moore: Boise State

NFL Team: Cincinnati Bengals

At just 5'11", 190 pounds, Kellen Moore lacks the size to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. Moore doesn't possess an overly strong arm and is limited physically.

However, Moore's arm strength has improved, and he is an accurate passer. With his intelligence and accuracy, Moore just might be able to develop into a solid backup quarterback.

Cincinnati offensive coordinator Jay Gruden runs a West Coast offense that is perfect for Moore. This scheme wouldn't require Moore to throw downfield often, and physically, Moore is similar to starting quarterback Andy Dalton.

9. Ryan Lindley: San Diego State

NFL Team: Chicago Bears

Ryan Lindley has always thrown far too many interceptions, and this trend has continued in 2011. Likewise, he has struggled with decision-making and struggles to read the defense and make progressions.

However, Lindley's biggest weakness is his inaccuracy. Lindley actually just concluded his least accurate season ever, completing just 52.5 percent of his passes.

Caleb Hanie has shown Chicago that he is not an adequate player. Jay Cutler is obviously the Bears' starter, and though his production is less than spectacular, Lindley warrants a draft pick.

8. Kirk Cousins: Michigan State

NFL Team: New England Patriots

At 6'3", 205 pounds, Kirk Cousins lacks significant bulk and could have injury problems in the NFL. The Michigan State quarterback has been a good, but not great college player and doesn't project especially well to the NFL.

Though Cousins has decent accuracy and decent arm strength, he isn't really great at anything. Because of this, Cousins is likely to serve as a backup in the NFL.

His ceiling is certainly limited, but Cousins seems like a likely candidate to spend a long time in the NFL. Bill Belichick has shown that he likes safe picks, and he really values depth. To most, Cousins may not seem like anything special, but he could be a treasure to Belichick.

7. Nick Foles: Arizona

NFL Team: New York Jets 

At Arizona, Nick Foles has been extremely productive, if somewhat inconsistent. The 6'5", 240 pounder suffers from erratic accuracy, but he possesses a strong arm and above-average physical tools.

Though he is talented, Foles often makes poor decisions. In fact, Foles has only one unimpressive 2011 stat—14 interceptions. Foles's offensive scheme is definitely a concern for NFL teams, and it's possible that his production is a fluke.

Mark Sanchez has been putrid for the Jets, and Foles has enough upside to feasibly take over the starting job in New York. This isn't likely, but with their heavy investment in Sanchez, the Jets can't realistically spend an early-round pick on a quarterback.

6. Brandon Weeden: Oklahoma State

NFL Team: Seattle Seahawks

The 28-year-old Brandon Weeden has been excellent for the Cowboys, but he has some issues as a pro prospect. Even if his age wasn't a factor, Weeden probably wouldn't be drafted any higher than the second round.

Weeden has good size and arm strength, but he doesn't stand out in any one aspect. The second-year starter is still fairly raw, and because of his advanced age, he probably won't ever reach his full potential.

Neither Charlie Whitehurst nor Tarvaris Jackson has played well for Seattle, and the team obviously needs to make a move at quarterback. Weeden is a lackluster option, but he's better than nothing.

5. Landry Jones: Oklahoma

NFL Team: Denver Broncos

Just a couple months ago, Landry Jones was widely considered a top-10 draft pick. After a rough stretch, however, Jones has fallen dramatically.

The Oklahoma star is probably still a first-round pick, but he is a risky one. At 6'4", 230 pounds, Jones has great size and possesses a rocket arm.

Unfortunately, Jones suffers from occasionally awful accuracy and poor decision-making. Because he plays in a spread offense, these flaws should be covered up, but they are still obvious.

Despite what fans may think of Tim Tebow, John Elway and John Fox don't appear to be huge fans, and in the end, their opinions are the only ones that matter. If the Broncos decide to move on from Tebow, Jones seems like a logical option.

4. Ryan Tannehill: Texas A&M

NFL Team: Kansas City Chiefs

Prior to suffering a hand injury, Matt Cassel was playing horribly. Cassel hasn't been good in the past either, so Kansas City seems likely to draft a quarterback early.

A former wide receiver, Ryan Tannehill is a great athlete with well above-average physical ability. The 6'4", 220 pounder is still incredibly raw but has incredible upside.

Though Tannehill is surprisingly accurate, he needs to improve his decision-making. Tannehill needs to become quicker when throwing the ball as well.

Because he is so raw, Tannehill would benefit from some time on the bench. Cassel could start for a year or two before moving aside for Tannehill.

3. Robert Griffin III: Baylor

NFL Team: Cleveland Browns

After last year, fans and analysts were optimistic about Colt McCoy. In 2011, however, McCoy has been awful. The second-year pro isn't exactly surrounded by talent, but that does not effect his inability to read a blitz or throw a five-yard out pass.

An incredible athlete, Robert Griffin possesses great accuracy and potential. Though he does not possess a rocket arm, Griffin throws a superb deep ball.

A spread-offense quarterback, Griffin needs to gain experience in making progressions. The Baylor star also needs to improve his throwing motion and could improve his arm strength by using his lower body more.

At a generous 6'2", 220 pounds, Griffin's biggest problem is his size. Griffin might not only struggle to see over the line of scrimmage and throw passes past defensive linemen, but he could suffer injuries as well.

In Pat Shurmur's West Coast offense, Griffin's accuracy and mobility would be utilized. Griffin's size wouldn't be quite as detrimental either.

2. Matt Barkley: USC

NFL Team: Washington Redskins

In most drafts, Matt Barkley is worthy of the No. 1 overall pick. The USC star is incredibly accurate with average physical tools.

The 6'2", 220-pound Barkley isn't overly tall, but if he is listed at his accurate height, he should be fine. Barkley already plays in a pro-style offense and is incredibly intelligent.

With elite intellect and accuracy, Barkley has the potential to become a Drew Brees-type player. The only thing holding Barkley back is his lack of elite arm strength, size and mobility.

When they entered the season with Rex Grossman and John Beck at quarterback, the Redskins were highly criticized. As was expected, this move did not pay off, and both of the quarterbacks have been awful.

Barkley is more than worthy of the top-five pick Washington will likely possess.

1. Andrew Luck: Stanford

NFL Team: Indianapolis Colts

At this point, Andrew Luck is nearly flawless. The Stanford star still doesn't possess elite arm strength, but his arm has improved. It really isn't an exaggeration to call Luck the best quarterback prospect in more than a decade.

The 6'4", 235 pounder is a great athlete and excels outside of the pocket. However, Luck also possesses incredible pocket presence and accuracy.

In the past few drafts, there have been very few quarterbacks equal to—or better than—Luck in any of these categories. None have been as good in all of them.

If it weren't for Luck, the Colts probably wouldn't be interested in drafting a quarterback. However, Peyton Manning is aging and suffering from a serious injury, and Luck is simply too good to pass up.