The Colts already have a great quarterback on the roster in Peyton Manning, but there’s no firm decision on whether or not he’ll be playing football again. Smart money says he will.

However, Indianapolis cannot keep both Manning and Luck on the same roster, as they both would account for over $50 million against the payroll.

The Colts should look to trade Manning for draft picks and then start Luck, who shouldn’t have any problem grasping their offense.

2. St. Louis Rams- Matt Kalil, Offensive Tackle, USC

If you watched any of the Rams games, you know three things: One, they have only one receiver who can make plays in Brandon Lloyd. Two, the Rams’ defense is atrocious. Lastly, their offensive line is the worst in the league.

Sam Bradford had the prototypical Sophomore slump last year, and missed numerous games due to injury. The main reason for Bradford’s injuries is because he couldn’t stay protected by the offensive line.

Matt Kalil is easily the best tackle in the draft, and is being touted as the next Joe Thomas. Rams fans should be thrilled to hear about the comparison.

3. Washington Redskins (fr: Minnesota)- Robert Griffin III, Quarterback, Baylor

Minnesota receives:

- Washington’s 2012 first-round pick (6th overall)

- Washington’s 2012 second-round pick (39th overall)

- Washington’s 2013 second-round pick

- Washington’s 2013 third-round pick

Washington receives:

- Minnesota’s 2012 first-round pick (3rd overall)

It’s a foregone conclusion that the Redskins will be acquiring a quarterback, in some form or fashion, this coming offseason. The only thing we don’t know is whether or not that quarterback will be acquired through the draft or free agency (Matt Flynn).

The Redskins are a team that needs to win now, because if they don’t, they could be looking for a new head coach and general manager.

Robert Griffin III may not be on the level of Andrew Luck, but he’s still an incredibly talented prospect with a ton of potential.

4.Cleveland Browns Justin Blackmon, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State

Cleveland is now unable to get their hands on Robert Griffin III, and even though they need a quarterback, the Browns will not reach for Ryan Tannehill.

The Browns were one of the worst teams in the league last year for many reasons. The biggest reason they struggled is because they don’t have a single receiver worthy of No. 1 receiver status.

Greg Little has a ton of promise, while Evan Moore should continue to make plays. Adding Justin Blackmon to the mix should make life much easier for Colt McCoy, if he’s the starting quarterback in September.

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2012 NFL Mock Draft: Will Washington Trade Up for Robert Griffin III - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Will it Last/ Will they get In?

How many times do we see a team or a player exceed expectations in a football game and we think, there is no way that can last.  That player is either too young or not that good.  That team had an easy week or the ball just bounced that way.  Most times it does not last, but every so often those early signs are premonitions of what is to come.  In this weekly column we will look at 3 players who jump out.  Also we will be looking at the playoff picture by conference.

Players

1. Laurent Robinson:     After bouncing around from team to team, Robinson has found a home with the Cowboys.  His numbers through 9 games are pretty good:  33 receptions, 488 yards, and 5 touchdowns.  He runs precise routes, shows great speed, and reliable hands.  Robinson’s numbers are high due to numerous injuries to Miles Austin.  With the season winding down I believe Robinson will continue to get looks do to two reasons.  One, the Cowboys are a passing team and Romo will throw the ball 25-30 times a week.  Two, hamstring injuries do not go away in the cold weather.  Austin will need time to heal and that means Robinson will be Romo’s #3 target behind Witten and Bryant. Will Last

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Detroit Lions’ Kevin Smith to the rescue; Are All Three New York teams staying home for the playoffs? - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Someone Forgot to Tell Cam Newton That He's not Playing on Saturday's Anymore. It Ain't This Easy

NFLmocks isn’t your typical recap because we focus on what the young players in the league are doing. Michael Vick had a big day, but so what he’s old news. How’d the Young guys do? I consider the young guys mostly rookies and second year players. Occasionally, I’ll throw in a third year guy.  I’ll concentrate on a few games, and try to do quick tid bits of the others.

Everyone can see talent. Cam Newton has talent. People though are skeptical of what they haven’t seen before. Players like Cam Newton, that is insanely athletic players who don’t come from traditional offenses in College, and who don’t make a lot of reads and go through progressions are the Holy Grail in Football. The possibilities are endless, but the failures are a mile long. Cam Newton had these questions and many more heading into the 2011 N.F.L. draft. Is he smart enough? Is he enough of a leader? Can he be accurate in the N.F.L. It’s much too early to make a definitive statement one way or the other, but today was Cam Newton’s day.

Carolina Panthers vs Arizona Cardinals

Panthers

Newton set a N.F.L. record today when he became the first player to ever throw for 400 yards in their first N.F.L. game. Newton’s line looks brilliant. 24 for 37 for 422 yards and 2 touchdowns (11.4 yards per attempt). Newton also chipped in 18 rushing yards (in 8 attempts) and a touchdown.

His line was impressive and at times Newton was very impressive, but it might be slightly misleading. Newton had some VERY wide open throws, but you can’t take that away from him. He’ll have to continue to show that he can make the proper reads, and make the nice pass. Newton was also playing against a defense that is less than spectacular, but a rookie debut on the road in a divisional game? The only thing that would have been better is if the Cardinals hadn’t won he game. I liked Newton heading into the draft and he was the only quarterback we had rated in the first round.

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Cam Newton Shines vs Arizona Cardinals: Opening Day Thoughts on Rookies Around the League - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Baltimore Ravens Acquire WR Lee Evans From Buffalo Bills - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Are the Patriots Going to See A Lot of This Out of Albert Haynesworth? If So, Look out League (picture source news.m3n4.com)

Earlier this week I took a comprehensive look at the free agent signings of the N.F.C. East. Now I’ll move on to their counterparts in the East, the A.F.C. East. What have the Patriots, Bills, Jets, and Dolphins accomplished. The A.F.C. East has two of the top teams in the league, but could also be looking at two of the worst teams in the league in the Dolphins and Bills. Did they do enough in free agency to leap frog some of  the other teams around the league?

The Miami Dolphins

Signed
Jason Trusnik, LB from the Browns

Jason Taylor, LB from the Jets

Matt Moore, QB from Carolina

Ronald Fields, OL from Denver

 Kevin Burnett, LB, From Chargers

 Marc Colombo, T, From the Dallas Cowboys

Resigned

 Tony McDaniel, DE

Lost

Ronnie Brown (Eagles)

Ricky Williams (unsigned)

Patrick Cobbs (unsigned)

Tyler Thigpen (Buffalo)

Released: Channing Crowder

Acquired in a trade: Reggie Bush

Grade: C+

I don’t think the Dolphins have done much to improve themselves this off-season. Right after the draft I released an initial 2011 NFL power rankings in which I ranked the Dolphins last in the N.F.L., much to the dismay of Dolphins fans who ripped me, but I’m not coming off that much at all. I think they have addressed needs this off-season, but I don’t love the players they filled the holes with in the draft or free agency. They drafted many of my overrated draft prospects (Pouncey, Thomas, Gates) and only Gates was at a good value.

I thought ILB was a position that was of desperate need as the team has little depth there and they went out and got Kevin Burnett from the Chargers which is a solid, unspectacular move.  And then they haven’t really been that active in free agency. All in all a meh off-season for the Dolphins. Maybe no longer the worst team in the N.F.L, but still not great and I expect a losing record.

The move to acquire Reggie Bush was a positive one. Bush is a player fans love to hate on, but he’s a matchup problem and there are so many of those in the N.F.L.

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Free Agency Grades: A.F.C. East - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Report: Plaxico Burress Signs With New York Jets - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

If a trade goes down, it remains to be seen what the Broncos would receive as compensation for Orton from the Dolphins, but reports vary everywhere from a first to a third round pick. Most likely, the two sides will meet somewhere in the middle. If the Dolphins offer a third round pick for Orton, I expect they will also add a conditional future pick, or possibly a second pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

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Report: Kyle Orton Talking Contract With Dolphins, Robert Gallery Close With Seahawks? - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Santonio Holmes returns to gang green for the next half decade

Adam Schefter of ESPN just reported via Twitter that wide receiver Santonio Holmes has agreed to a five year deal to return to the New York Jets. Holmes was acquired by the Jets last offseason for a fourth round pick, and is considered one of the top wide receivers in the NFL. Last season, Holmes caught 52 passes for 746 yards (14.3 avg) and six touchdowns, helping the Jets reach the AFC Championship game for the second straight year.

Holmes also added nine receptions, two for touchdowns, in the playoffs. The five year veteran stays in New York and will likely set the bar for the other free agent wide receivers on the market.

The Jets now turn their attention to wide receiver Braylon Edwards, but Schefter reports that he is “less likely” to sign with New York after this news, and the Jets are also reportedly still pursuing cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha.

Continue reading for more NFL Free agency news and updates! Follow us on Twitter @NFLMocks

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Report: Wide Receiver Santonio Holmes Signes Five Year Deal With Jets; Other NFL Signings - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Report: Ahmad Bradshaw Wants to Take His Talents to South Beach - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football