2012 NFL Mock Draft: Which Teams Are in Need of a Franchise QB?

The franchise quarterback. Some teams have one, other teams think they have one, and even more teams are sorely lacking one. It's the most important position in sports, but far from 32 teams can say that guy is on their 53-man roster.

While it's not always the case, the majority of franchise quarterbacks are found through the NFL draft. Come April, several teams will be in the running for a player they think can lead their franchise for the next decade.

Who are those teams? And who are the potential franchise quarterbacks that matchup?

Let's break them down,

Indianapolis Colts 

Without Peyton Manning (neck) under center this season, the Colts have collapsed into one of the worst teams in NFL history. With three games left, it's likely they'll become just the second team to ever finish a season 0-16. Manning is still under contract, but he'll turn 36 next March and has now had two neck surgeries. The next quarterback in Indianapolis is needed. 

Matches: Andrew Luck, Stanford

With the No. 1 pick likely to be the Colts', Indianapolis can either pick Luck or trade down. All indications now are that they'll take Luck, the most highly regarded quarterback prospect since Manning. 

Washington Redskins

The Donovan McNabb experiment failed miserably—as did the Rex Grossman and John Beck experiments. With no young signal-caller on the roster, it's time for the Redskins to invest in a franchise guy at the position. It's the only way they'll crawl out of the NFC East basement. 

Matches: Robert Griffin III, Baylor; Matt Barkley, USC; Landry Jones, Oklahoma

Depending on where they pick, all three guys work for the Redskins. Griffin is an electric talent who teams will drool over during the pre-draft workouts and interviews. Barkley has shown vast improvements since enrolling at USC and should be a top-15 pick if he comes out. Jones' stock has dropped some this season, but there's still plenty who believe he can be a franchise quarterback.

Seattle Seahawks

I'll give Tarvaris Jackson some credit: He's played much better as the Seahawks have heated up at the end of this season. Still, is he who you want as your franchise quarterback long term? Can you win a Super Bowl with him? Those are obvious questions Pete Carroll and the Seahawks' staff will have to ask (and answer) this April. 

Matches: Barkley, Jones, Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M

The Seahawks have likely played themselves out of the running for any chance at Luck and Griffin III. Barkley, whom Carroll recruited to play at USC, may still be available. You'd at least have to think about the possibility of trading up a couple spots to get him. Tannehill could be a later option if the Seahawks want a guy that can sit behind Jackson for a year.

Cleveland Browns

There are plenty of Browns' fans who are quick to defend Colt McCoy, and it's true he's played without a full set of offensive weapons this season. But solely as a quarterback, McCoy just hasn't shown the type of progression in things he can control—accuracy, decision-making, arm strength—to think he's the Browns' long-term option. Mike Holmgren could take another look at upgrading the position. How else is Cleveland going to compete in the AFC North with three established franchise quarterbacks?

Matches: Griffin III, Barkley

If you're going to pick a quarterback, he better be a more polished prospect than McCoy was coming out of Texas. I think both Griffin III and Barkley fit that bill. Griffin III is the most enticing, as he has plenty of arm strength to get the ball through the nasty winds of a Cleveland winter.

Miami Dolphins

Matt Moore has played his tail off since becoming the starter of the Dolphins, but I don't think that should guarantee him anything for next season. In reality, Miami hasn't had a franchise guy at this position since Dan Marino retired. That needs to change. With a new head coach set to take over in 2012, it'll be time to find the quarterback to tie him to.

Matches: Luck, Griffin III, Barkley

The Dolphins would be an interesting team to consider trading up with the Colts to get Luck. Why not? It's going to take a small fortune to pull it off, but Luck could be a franchise-changer. Griffin would be another personality for a city that's now crawling with them, and Barkley has the kind of So Cal cool that would work for the Dolphins. All three are good options for Miami.

2012 NFL Mock Draft

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