NFL Coaches, Executives Prefer Andrew Luck Over Robert Griffin III

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said yesterday that the team’s first-round draft pick is still “up in the air.” Irsay was implying that there is still a possibility that the Colts could draft Robert Griffin III over Andrew Luck. Of course, it is likely just Irsay blowing smoke, because that would be a colossal mistake.

Yahoo! Sports’ Jason Cole polled eight coaches and team executives while in Palm Beach for the NFL Owners Meetings. All eight of those polled believe that Luck should be the number one pick and refer to him as the “safer” selection.

There are very few holes in Luck’s game. While he may not “wow” you in any one category, he has no glaring weakness. Luck is the best quarterback prospect to come around in awhile and a team would be wise to make him their first pick. There is too much risk with Robert Griffin III, who is rising up draft boards in large part because of his athleticism.

“Luck is just a safer pick,” an AFC executive said, per ProFootballTalk.com. “They are both productive, high-quality kids from great families. You can’t go wrong with either one. But if you’re asking me about whom to take, I have to go with Luck, especially if you’re Indianapolis after what they just had with Peyton [Manning] and the awful season they went through.

“Get a guy who you know can play right away. At worst, Luck is going to be a good player who can come in and run the offense from Day One.”

It is important to remember that Luck played in a pro-system, while RG3 played in a spread offense that rarely called for him to go understand. It was just a year ago that some viewed Griffin as a wide receiver prospect and now are to believe he should challenge Luck for the top spot? Preposterous.

“Just think about it this way,” said one AFC coach. “Griffin just graduated with honors. Luck is in his first year of medical school. That’s what we’re talking about.”

The polished game of Andrew Luck and the fact that he is NFL ready should ultimately be the determining factors that make him the number one pick over Griffin. There is no questioning that Griffin has a lot of upside and potential, but being NFL ready is what wins NFL games. Taking a chance on potential will get coaches fired.

Both quarterbacks could end up being franchise quarterbacks, but, if you had to choose one, the smart money is on Luck.

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