2012 NFL Mock Draft: Andrew Luck and Studs That Won't Impress in Rookie Year

The Indianapolis Colts are all but assured the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Barring a miraculous turn of events where they actually figure out how to win football games, they will have the opportunity to draft Stanford's Andrew Luck first overall.

The last quarterback they drafted in the first round was Peyton Manning.

He's been the Colts' starter since his very first game in 1998 and has never missed a game until this year. With the Colts winless on the season, it is more than apparent that they need an immediate overhaul.

Whether that includes moving on without Manning remains to be seen, but Colts general manager Bill Polian offered some insight on that situation on his radio show the other day.

The executive was quoted by the Tribune-Star as saying:

"

If we were to take a rookie quarterback [in the 2012 draft] and if we were to play him, he would struggle. Remember, Peyton was 3-13 his rookie year.

No matter who we draft next year, there’s going to be a break in period for them.  You won’t see the real quality of that player until a year later and in some cases, depending upon what the system is and how he fits. It takes time for young players to develop.

Even if we were to draft a marquee player in the first round, no matter who it is, that guy’s not going to come in and contribute immediately, unless he were a running back. That’s the exception.

"

We can't take him at his word, and how the Colts would be able to afford both quarterbacks and still field a competitive team remains to be seen, but it certainly brings up an interesting scenario.

If the Colts draft Luck and keep Manning, it is obvious who the starter will be. Whether that is the correct decision won't be known for some time, but it is a very possible scenario. Obviously, if Manning remains in Indianapolis, Luck won't be able to make an impact or impress in his rookie year.

Here are a few other players that will need time to adjust to life in the NFL as well.

Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

The Tar Heels defensive end is one of the most versatile players in the draft. At 6'6", 272 pounds he has the size and athleticism to be successful in a 3-4 or 4-3 front.

He'll need to be coached up though and he'll need time to adapt.

He dealt with double teams regularly this year and his stock fell a bit with his lack of production, but he'll still find a home in the top half of the first round.

It will take him time to develop though.

Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

The Sooners quarterback has done and seen plenty during his time in Norman, but he's not ready to contribute in an NFL offense just yet.

Oklahoma's spread offense doesn't do much in terms of transitioning to the NFL and scouts have taken notice to that already.

Jones has the size and ability to be a good quarterback in the NFL, but it will take some time for him to adjust.

Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Crimson Tide cornerback is a physically imposing specimen with rare size and speed for the position. He's been a dynamic player for Nick Saban since his first day on campus and has the potential to be great.

That potential will need to be harnessed though.

He's extremely physical and comes from a coach with NFL bloodlines, but his production directly hinges on where he starts his career.

He'll be very good, but it won't happen right away.

*Draft order determined by combination of current record and projected finish.

No.	Team (Record)	Player, Pos.
1.	Indianapolis Colts (0-13)	Andrew Luck, QB
2.	St. Louis Rams (2-11)	Justin Blackmon, WR
3.	Minnesota Vikings (2-11)	Matt Kalil, OT
4.	Miami Dolphins (4-9)	Matt Barkley, QB
5.	Carolina Panthers (4-9)	Morris Claiborne, CB
6.	Buffalo Bills (5-8)	Robert Griffin III, QB
7.	Cleveland Browns (4-9)	Trent Richardson, RB
8.	Jacksonville Jaguars (4-10)	Michael Floyd, WR
9.	Washington Redskins (4-9)	Landry Jones, QB
10.	Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-10)	Quinton Coples, DE
11.	Philadelphia Eagles (5-8)	Alshon Jeffery, WR
12.	Kansas City Chiefs (5-8)	Riley Reiff, OT
13.	Seattle Seahawks (6-7)	Dre Kirkpatrick, CB
14.	San Diego Chargers (6-7)	Alfonzo Dennard, CB
15.	Arizona Cardinals (6-7)	Jonathan Martin, OT
16.	Tennessee Titans (7-6)	Vontaze Burfict, LB
17.	Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK) (7-6)	Lamar Miller, RB
18.	Chicago Bears (7-6)	Peter Konz, C
19.	Dallas Cowboys (8-6)	Devon Still, DT
20.	Cincinnati Bengals (7-6)	Janoris Jenkins, CB
21.	Detroit Lions (8-5)	Luke Kuechly, LB
22.	New York Jets (8-5)	David DeCastro, OG
23.	Denver Broncos (8-5)	Brandon Thompson, DT
24.	Cleveland Browns (via ATL) (9-5)	Jarvis Jones, LB
25.	Houston Texans (10-3)	Mark Barron, S
26.	Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3)	Dont'a Hightower, LB
27.	New York Giants (7-6)	Zach Brown, LB
28.	New England (via NO 10-3)	Chase Minnifield, CB
29.	Baltimore Ravens (10-3)	Courtney Upshaw, DE
30.	San Francisco 49ers (10-3)	Kendall Wright, WR
31.	New England Patriots (10-3)	Mohamed Sanu, WR
32.	Green Bay Packers (13-0)	Cordy Glenn, OG