2012 NFL Mock Draft "What If?" Scenarios: What if the Indianapolis Colts Passed on Andrew Luck, What Would Happen?

Friday, February 10, 2012

By Daniel Wolf
Senior Writer

'Tis the season of hypothetical and speculation in the NFL.

Some have coined this part of the year as the NFL's "silly season" because of all the made up rumors and overblown theories about what teams will and won't do.

Since it is that time of year, it's time to add a big "What if?" to the list of possible scenarios which could unfold on draft day 2012.

The "What if?" is quite simple. What if the Indianapolis Colts passed on Stanford Cardinal quarterback Andrew Luck and picked Baylor Bears QB Robert Griffin III (RG3) instead?

This hypothetical has zero evidence behind it, so please do not think too hard into proving these theories wrong. It is being done to raise debate, think outside the box on its possibility and for entertainment purposes only.

Without further delay, let's examine what would happen at the top of the draft if this were to actually happen.


Scenario No. 1 - Cleveland Browns Make Their Move

1. Colts - RG3, QB, Baylor
2. Browns - Luck, QB, Stanford
3. Minnesota Vikings - Matt Kalil, OT, USC
4. St. Louis Rams - Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Analysis: In this scenario we see the Browns moving up in a trade with the Rams to acquire Luck. The bidding war would be fast and furious but the Browns can offer both of their first rounders in 2012 and their first in 2013. This would give the Rams immediate return value over the next two drafts and St. Louis lands the receiver they wanted all along.


Scenario No. 2 - Washington Redskins Make Their Move

1. Colts - RG3, QB, Baylor
2. Redskins - Luck, QB, Stanford
3. Vikings - Kalil, OT, USC
4. Browns - Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
5. Bucs - Claiborne, CB, LSU
6. Rams - Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Analysis: In this version the Redskins offer a deal the Rams cannot pass up but they would have to outbid Cleveland's offer for immediate value as seen in scenario No. 1. To pull off a deal like this Redskins owner Daniel Snyder would have to offer first rounders in 2012-2014 plus his second rounder in 2012 and 2013 to make this deal desirable to St. Louis, who pick up Kirkpatrick to help their secondary.


Wildcard Scenario - Miami Dolphins Make Their Move

1. Colts - RG3, QB, Baylor
2. Dolphins - Luck, QB, Stanford
3. Vikings - Kalil, OT, USC
4. Browns - Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
5. Bucs - Claiborne, CB, LSU
6. Redskins - Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
7. Jacksonville Jaguars - Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
8. Carolina Panthers - Devon Still, DT, Penn State
9. Rams - Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Analysis: This theory could come into play only if Miami can outbid both the Browns and the Redskins and the further down the first round a team is, the more they will have to give up to land the No. 2 spot. If the Fins are willing to throw four-first rounders at the Rams, then this deal could happen but the likelihood of any team mortgaging this many first rounders is doubtful—though anything is possible in the NFL on draft day. The Rams would land Kirkpatrick to improve their secondary.

Remember these are all speculative and being written to bring about debate around NFL Nation.

Will it happen?

Please share your thoughts and comments below and let the debating begin!


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More 2012 NFL Draft stories on NFA:

2012 NFL Mock Draft: Trades Allow RG3, Trent Richardson and Justin Blackmon to Find New Homes

Cleveland Browns 2012 NFL Draft: Examining GM Tom Heckert's Draft Tendencies

Indianapolis Colts Rumors: Robert Griffin III Wants to be With Colts, Could the Team Pull Off an Eli Manning-Type Trade?

2012 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill is the Biggest Question Mark of First Round (Video)