The SB Nation two-round NFL mock draft is back with three picks running per day through the week of the 2012 NFL Draft. The mock, with picks made by each NFL team site, begins with Brad Wells of our Indianapolis Colts site Stampede Blue.
2012 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft: Round 1, Pick 1
With the first overall pick in the 2012 SB Nation NFL Writers Mock Draft, the Indianapolis Colts select Andrew Luck, quarterback, Stanford.
After the jump, Brad explains his pick and I react.
Brad Wells explains: Peyton Manning is in Denver, and the Indianapolis Colts can now FINALLY close a chapter on one era and begin writing a new one. Make no mistake, Luck is being drafted to replace Manning, not to simply succeed him. Luck’s success will be critical in helping the Colts franchise establish a true connection with the Indianapolis community. Some in the community feel that Manning was bigger the Colts, and without him the franchise simply no longer exists. It is Luck's job change that mindset. If Luck doesn’t thrive and win over fans, the Colts will become an afterthought in the Hoosier State, just as the Reggie Miller-less Indiana Pacers have become.
Dan Kadar reacts: The pick of Luck to the Colts has been obvious since December. What’s unknown is the next step. Luck can only become the player everyone expects if Indianapolis intelligently surrounds him with talent. That includes adding more pieces to the offensive line, fixing the run game and restocking a depleted receiving group. Luck is a perfect choice, but will only be worth the top pick if talent is put around him.
For more on the Colts, make sure to check out Stampede Blue.
Mocking the Draft's Top 5 Remaining Prospects
| OVR | Name | Pos. | College | Report |
| 2 | Matt Kalil | OT | USC | scouting report |
| 3 | Trent Richardson | RB | Alabama | scouting report |
| 4 | Morris Claiborne | CB | LSU | scouting report |
| 5 | Robert Griffin III | QB | Baylor | scouting report |
| 6 | Justin Blackmon | WR | Oklahoma State | scouting report |
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