SBNation.com - Andrew Luck Visits Both Colts And Redskins; Expected To Be No. 1 Pick

Colts Decide On No. 1 Pick But Won't Say Who

2012-04-19T13:24:10Z

The Indianapolis Colts hold the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft and it is widely believed that the Colts will select Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the pick. The Colts have come out and said they've decided on who they will select with the first overall pick, but won't say who the player is.

"We've exhausted the process, pretty much made up our mind," Ryan Grigson said at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon. "We're going to go from there.''

Grigson also talked up both Luck and Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, who some say could be chosen first instead of Luck, but that's unlikely. The Colts have put Luck through the pre-draft ringer attending his Pro Day, hosting him for a private workout, and meeting with him during the NFL Combine. The Colts also attended Griffin's Pro Day, but that has been about the extent of their work with him.

It's still believed Luck is going to be the pick for the Colts on April 26, but Grigson is playing the draft game in his first stint as an NFL general manager.

For more on the Indianapolis Colts visit SB Nation's Colts blog Stampede Blue and SB Nation Indiana. For more on the NFL Draft, be sure to visit Mocking The Draft.

NFL Draft: 2012 QB Class Looks To Be Better Than Last Year's

2012-04-11T15:22:25Z

The 2012 NFL draft is only a few weeks away at this point and the position that gets the most hype every year is quarterback. That's no different this year as most of the draft talk has centered around Stanford's Andrew Luck and Baylor's Robert Griffin III, despite those two almost assuredly going No. 1 to the Colts and No. 2 to the Redskins, respectively.

The 2011 draft class of quarterbacks saw six players drafted in the first 36 picks, which is a lot. There was a run on quarterbacks last year which caused some teams to select a player higher than they may have in previous years. While the 2011 class had quantity, the 2012 class has more quality.

Round 1 Of SB Nation's NFL Bloggers Mock Draft

The Green Bay Press-Gazette posted a story this week where one anonymous NFL scout said he thinks there are five quarterbacks in the 2012 class who are better than any of the players in the 2011 class. That may be stretching it, considering Cam Newton exploded onto the scene in his first season, but the 2012 class ends up being a better overall group of quarterbacks than last year's group. And when I talk about these quarterbacks, I'm talking about the ones most likely to make an impact -- those drafted within the first two rounds.

To compare them, I break the quarterbacks into three groups.

The 2012 QB class will end up being better than 2011

First, the elite group of quarterbacks. Last year that was only Cam Newton and this year that's both Luck and Griffin III. Next, the second tier of quarterbacks in the first round. Last year that was Jake Locker (8), Blaine Gabbert (10) and Christian Ponder (12). This year, the quarterback that falls into that range is Ryan Tannehill. The third group is the fringe first rounders, or early second rounders. Last year there were two players in that group -- Andy Dalton (35) and Colin Kaepernick (36). This year that group appears to include Brandon Weeden, and possibly Kirk Cousins, depending on what the run on quarterbacks looks like.

What do most people care about when it comes to quarterbacks in the draft? Usually not the guy picked in the fifth round. People care about the elite players, the ones getting picked in the top five. The 2012 draft class has two elite prospects in Luck and Griffin III. Considering this is draft season and people love to tear players down, there are very few question marks about each of these guys. They both have good size, accurate throwers, winners in college and come with little to no off-the-field questions. In short, there's a lot to like -- two elite prospects in the draft.

The 2011 class wasn't as top heavy as this one. It's easy to say now that Cam Newton was an elite quarterback prospect but rewind back to April 2011 and you'll recall plenty of people saying Newton should not be the No. 1 pick and he will not succeed right away in the NFL. People talked about the scandal at Auburn, his incidents at Florida and then, of course, Cecil Newton. The point is that, while Newton fits into that "elite" category that we put both Luck and Griffin III into, there were a lot more question marks about him. We know now that those question marks were a little silly considering Newton was basically the man in his rookie season, but the point still remains that the elite quarterbacks in the 2012 NFL draft have fewer question marks with them.

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So, the 2012 class wins out when it comes to the elite players.

Ryan Tannehill is widely considered the third best quarterback in the 2012 NFL draft. Behind Luck and Griffin III, Tannehill is the only other player that almost everyone agrees is a first round pick. Last year, there were four players drafted in the top 12 and, while you won't see that many this year, I think there's more quality this year.

Comparing Tannehil to the second group of quarterbacks last year and you realize how low the bar has been set. Tannehill will likely be drafted somewhere between the fourth and 12th pick, depending on trades and all that. Last year there were three quarterbacks drafted in that range -- Jake Locker (8), Blaine Gabbert (10) and Christian Ponder (12). Locker didn't really play much -- no starts and only 66 pass attempts -- so he's an unknown. Gabbert struggled mightily, to the point where some wonder if he's already a bust. Ponder wasn't anything special with the Vikings, but there's more promise there than what we've seen with Gabbert.

Looking at Tannehill and his first year in the NFL, it won't be that difficult to surpass what the 2011 group of players drafted in the same range did. The bar has been set so low that even with a bad season Tannehill will end up comparing favorably to all three of those players.

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And then there's the late first round/early second round quarterbacks. Last year that was Andy Dalton (35) and Colin Kaepernick (36). Dalton was, surprisingly, a very good player right away. He led the Bengals to the playoffs completing 58 percent of his passes and 20 touchdowns to 13 interceptions. Kaepernick threw five total passes last year so he's a complete unknown at this point.

In the 2012 class, Brandon Weeden is expected to fall in the late first round/early second round range. His biggest detriment is not his play on the field -- it's his age. He's 28 years old which is usually the age when most quarterbacks are hitting their prime. Instead, he'll be entering the league as a rookie. As a pure player, I think Weeden grades out better than both Dalton and Kaepernick and, if he were 22 years old, we would be discussing him as a top 10 pick.

After one season, the 2011 class brought us two players who are basically known quantities -- Newton and Dalton. Both were solid starters while the other four first- and second-round quarterbacks either struggled a lot as rookies or are unknowns. I think the 2012 class has three, possibly four players who could end up being quality starters in year one. Luck and Griffin III, obviously, but I think Tannehill has a chance to be productive in his first year, depending on where and in what situation he lands. The Dolphins, for example, won six games last year with Matt Moore. I think you can make the argument that Tannehill would be a better option than Moore right now. Then there's Weeden, the 28-year old quarterback. I'd predict he ends up being better than Tannehill as a rookie, again depending on where he lands. Weeden I think is ultimately the third best quarterback in this draft but NFL teams pay for potential and, mostly due to his age, Weeden has been ranked below Tannehill. He may not be a good quarterback for a decade, like Tannehill could be, but I think Weeden makes a bigger impact early in his career.

One of the story lines of the 2011 NFL draft was the run on quarterbacks with six picked in the top 36. I think one of the story lines in this year's draft won't be about the quantity of quarterbacks taken in the first two rounds, but the quality. This group seems more polished and ready to make an impact than last year's version.

Andrew Luck Visiting Redskins This Week

2012-04-10T15:30:05Z

The Indianapolis Colts are widely expected to select Stanford's Andrew Luck with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft. That pick is expected to be followed by the Washington Redskins selecting Baylor's Robert Griffin III at No. 2 overall.

But just in case that doesn't happen, the Redskins are visiting with Luck. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Luck is expected to leave Indianapolis on Tuesday, where he was visiting the Colts, to make a visit to the Redskins in Washington D.C.

Pre-draft visits to the team facility do not include workouts, so Luck will only be visiting with team personnel. RGIII was also reportedly in Washington D.C. this week meeting with the Redskins.

Even with this news, the Colts selecting Luck and the Redskins selecting RGIII seems like a formality.

For all news and information regarding the Indianapolis Colts, please visit Stampede Blue. For updates and perspective on Andrew Luck and the Stanford Cardinal, head on over to Rule of Tree.

Andrew Luck's Workout With Colts 'Went Well'

2012-04-04T15:04:51Z

It has long been expected that the Indianapolis Colts will select former Stanford Cardinal quarterback Andrew Luck in this month's 2012 NFL Draft. The Colts possess the No. 1 overall pick and therefore are allowed to pursue the signing of their intended target prior to draft day. Although there is no indication that the Colts currently have an offer on the table, Luck did participate in a private workout with the team on Tuesday in Palo Alto, CA.

According to Mike Chappell of the Indy Star, it seems as though the workout went off without a hitch.

The team had no comment after putting former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck through a private workout Tuesday in Palo Alto, Calif. Among those on hand were general manager Ryan Grigson, coach Chuck Pagano, offensive coordinator Bruce Arians and quarterbacks coach Clyde Christensen.

Luck couldn't be reached for comment. George Whitfield Jr., Luck's private coach, was not allowed in the workout but said, "Things went well. Not much news."

At last word, the Colts were still weighing their options and stating that Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III was not out of consideration for the No. 1 pick.

For all news and information regarding the Indianapolis Colts, please visit Stampede Blue. For updates and perspective on Andrew Luck and the Stanford Cardinal, head on over to Rule of Tree.

Andrew Luck On Colts: 'I Would Love To Be Part Of That'

2012-04-03T13:20:47Z

The next step in the evaluation of Stanford QB Andrew Luck comes on Tuesday as the Indianapolis Colts will put the former Stanford quarterback through a private workout on his college campus on Tuesday. The Colts are sending the big decision makers to Stanford for the workout, including general manager Ryan Grigson, coach Chuck Pagano, offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, quarterbacks coach Clyde Christensen and vice president of football operations Tom Telesco. Owner Jim Irsay will not attend.

VIDEO: Andrew Luck Scouting Report

Luck spoke with the Indianapolis Star about his workout on Tuesday with the Colts and said he would love to be a member of the Colts. He also said he'll show them whatever he needs to show them at Tuesday's workout.

"I think I've put together a decent body of work under my belt with the (game) film and the pro day," he said. "If they ask for more or need more, I'll be happy to oblige."

Most think the Colts will be selecting Luck later this month in the 2012 NFL draft but the Colts have left the door open on selecting Baylor's Robert Griffin III, so there will be at least some intrigue with the first pick.

For more on the Colts in the NFL draft, visit Stampede Blue and SB Nation Indiana. And to get caught up on the scoutig report for Luck, check out the latest from SB Nation on YouTube.

Andrew Luck Working Out For Colts On Tuesday

2012-04-02T20:13:32Z

The Indianapolis Colts aren't saying whether Stanford's Andrew Luck or Baylor's Robert Griffin III will be the No. 1 pick but most league observers feel confident in saying they'll pick Luck. That's helped by the fact that the Colts will work out Luck, but not Griffin III.

That workout, according to Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star, will take place Tuesday at Stanford. The Colts will be sending most of the big decision makers including GM Ryan Grigson, head coach Chuck Pagano, OC Bruce Arians, QB coach Clyde Christensen and VP Tom Telesco. Not attending the workout is owner Jim Irsay.

The Colts will also be able to bring Luck into Indianapolis for a visit but he can not work out while he's there. The Colts can only watch him work out at Stanford.

Despite some of the talk that the Colts are considering RGIII, the smart money continues to be on Luck. Things can change, but as of now there aren't any solid signs that the Colts are considering anyone other than Luck.

For more on the Colts in the NFL draft, visit Stampede Blue and SB Nation Indiana. And to get caught up on the scoutig report for Luck, check out the latest from SB Nation on YouTube below.

2012 NFL Draft: Andrew Luck, Not Robert Griffin III, To Work Out For Colts

2012-03-27T14:12:10Z

The 2012 NFL Draft is just a month away. While the Indianapolis Colts hold the No. 1 overall pick, they'll have to decide between the two top quarterbacks in the draft: Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III. While the assumption by most is that the Colts will select the former Stanford Cardinal QB Luck, the team has stated recently that they like both players.

Colts general manager Ryan Grigson recently spoke to the Indianapolis media, reports Paul Kuharsky of ESPN. During the conference call, he touched on the fact that the team is scheduling a private workout with Luck, but not with Griffin.

"We saw (Robert Griffin III). Circumstances didn't allow us to do anything private with him, so we did the usual pro day. We did the best we could with that situation. We do have a private workout that we're scheduling with Andrew (Luck) in the future, which will be here in the upcoming weeks."

Although they are technically unable to schedule a private workout with Griffin, it is clear they have a definite interest in Luck and want to take another look before the draft.

For all news and information regarding the Indianapolis Colts, please visit Stampede Blue. For lots more on the 2012 NFL Draft, stay tuned to Mocking the Draft.

Colts Say They Haven't Decided Between Andrew Luck And Robert Griffin III

2012-03-26T20:20:08Z

Since final day of the 2011 NFL season, if not before, the general consensus was that the Indianapolis Colts would select former Stanford Cardinal quarterback Andrew Luck as the first overall pick in the 2012 Draft. It was considered a foregone conclusion in most circles. However, former Baylor Bears quarterback and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III has done nothing but raise his stock since the 2012 NFL Combine in Indianapolis.

The Washington Redskins gave up quite a bit to trade up to the second slot in the draft order, presumably to ensure they would be able to select Griffin as the second overall pick. Now it appears the Colts might throw a wrench into those plans.

Dan Graziano of ESPN reports that Colts owner Jim Irsay says the team has not decided on whether to select Luck or Griffin as the top pick in the draft. The Colts, apparently, like both quarterbacks.

"I think they're both outstanding young men," Irsay said during a break in the owners meetings here Monday. "I don't think it's either-or, where only one of them is going to succeed. I think they're both going to be great."

Since they have the No. 1 pick, the Colts could, if they so choose, do a contract with Luck (or Griffin, or any player they want, actually) in advance of the draft.

"If we decided to do a deal early with one of them, that's something we could definitely look into," Irsay said. "But we're still in the evaluation process right now."

It's possible that the Colts are just unwilling to publicly tip their hand. Either way, both the Colts and the Redskins will wind up with a talented quarterback. But this is certainly an interesting development.

For all news and information regarding the Indianapolis Colts, please visit Stampede Blue. For lots more on the 2012 NFL Draft, head on over to Mocking the Draft.