It may only be the middle of February, but just about everyone in the football world knows who the No. 1 overall pick will be at the 2012 NFL Draft: Andrew Luck. Toss out any rumors or whispers that are supposedly floating around, the Colts are going to take Luck come April 26, regardless if Peyton Manning is a Colt, Dolphin, Cardinal, Seahawk, Jet or paid actor in the latest Sony commercial.
The most recent mock draft from SB Nation agrees with this sentiment.
1. Indianapolis Colts, Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
The Colts will draft Luck. Ignore speculation that says otherwise. Luck is a once-in-a-generation prospect that will replace the other once-in-a-generation prospect whose bitter divorce with this team will consume most of the offseason's talk over the coming weeks.
In addition to Luck, it is also very like two of his teammates from Stanford will be selected in the first round.
11. Kansas City Chiefs, Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
What a break for the Chiefs to get Martin with this pick. Martin represents a major upgrade to their offensive line, replacing Barry Richardson. This pick, along with the healthy return of Jamaal Charles and a handful of other key players lost in 2011, could have the Chiefs back in the running for the AFC West.
And for the other:
13. Arizona Cardinals, David DeCastro, OG, Stanford
Arizona needs help all along the front five. Just ask Kevin Kolb. DeCastro has rare talent for an interior lineman. If guards were valued as highly in the draft as tackles, he would be a top 10 pick, and the world should applaud any team that decides to draft him that highly. For now, we will assume the Cardinals grab him.
This is a pretty strong showing from the Stanford Cardinal, and it's players like these three who helped raise the program to the high level it currently sits at.