Player in 2012 that you'd take to start a franchise with?

[bsfins]

NFL expansion,and you get to take 1 player off any roster in the NFL (and their contract as is)

Who do you take to start your franchise?

[Sunstroke]

I wish I could only do one, but have to do an offensive and defensive player.

Offense: Andrew Luck - The value of a franchise QB is nearly immeasurable. If I could only have one, it would be Luck.

Defense: Von Miller - In my opinion, he is the best young defensive player in the game, narrowly edging out Aldon Smith and JJ Watt. (all 3 of which were drafted in the first 11 picks of last year's draft)

[Dave Gray]

I agree and would also take Andrew Luck.

Also, I'm an idiot.  We talked about this several years ago and I chose Bob Sanders.  ...guy was injured and out of the league within 2 years of my saying it.  Although, I think I was just playing devil's advocate.

RGIII might get some votes, but I think Luck is a better long-term prospect.  I also get scared at guys that run a lot as I feel that it increases their injury risk.  Also, when guys have so much physical talent, that tails off over time, and you can see a greater/faster drop-off or difficulty to adjust.

[BigDaddyFin]

hmmm this is a tough one...

It's gonna be a left tackle.  Joe Thomas.  Cleveland.

[bsfins]

My dilemma with this question is,do I want the young guy,and David Carr his ass with not very good talent around him...

I don't disagree with taking Luck,or RG3...

I would go with Ben Roethlisberger,injuries and all.I think he brings the experience,and superbowl wins,but still young enough to be around a few more years.He's be that instant veteran leader,that I could use in free agency.

When they started the Texans,they gave them the #1 over all pick,I'd use that to get my young face of the franchise of the future....

[el diablo]

Very good question.  First instinct is to take a QB. I would go a different route. I would go with Ray Rice. I say that because he's a versitile, durable back. He's a playmaker that would be key in accounting for a young offensive line & marginal QB. He's also marketable.

But if I could take someone and revert them back to their rookie year, it would be either Patrick Willis, Ray Lewis, or Demarcus Ware.

[EKnight]

Ugh.....difficult. Doug Martin or Cam Newton or Calvin Johnson. What Martin is doing as a rookie in Tampa is crazy. On pace for 1519 yards and 16 TDs. No rookie has rushed for that many yards since 1999, and only 4 rookies have done it since 1978. Cam and Johnson are just freaks of nature, so I'm not sure how you could choose against them either. -EK

[Spider-Dan]

I think if you are going to take a QB and have nothing around him, RG3 is a better pick than Luck.  His style of play lends itself better to doing more with less.

So today, I'd pick RG3.

[mecadonzilla]

I love the Muscle Hamster, Doug Martin.  Although, this could be due, in part to the nickname. 

However, if you're starting a franchise, QB is more important than RB (this should be something we all painfully learned during the Wanny era.)  You pretty much have to go with Luck or RG3 right now.  They're showing how much can be done with not a whole bunch around them.  If it were me, I'd have to go with Luck because with the way Shanahan is playing RG3, it's only a matter of time before a major injury comes his way.  (He was injury prone during college, so I have no idea why Shanahan doesn't think he will be now.  There's no excuse to be running the option the way he has this season.)

JJ Watt is a guy who's really intriguing on defense.  He might be the greatest defensive player in the league at any position.  He can stop the run.  He can bat down passes with extraordinary ability, and he can sack the shit out of your QB...in a 3-4 defense even!  He's a literal bad ass Mofo.

[Cathal]

I think if you are going to take a QB and have nothing around him, RG3 is a better pick than Luck.  His style of play lends itself better to doing more with less.

So today, I'd pick RG3.

Even with him looking like he might have a short career based on the number of injuries he's suffered this season?

[Thundergod]

Andrew Luck, hands down.

I'm sure the INT's will will dissipate with time. Get the man a good RB, add another receiver or TE and that offense would look pretty.

[masterfins]

Put me on the Andrew Luck bandwagon.

[Sunstroke]

I'll go as far as saying this:

Take the two young players I noted above as replacements for Miami's current starters at those positions...

QB: Lose Ryan Tannehill, Add Andrew Luck
OLB: Lose Koa Misi, Add Von Miller

...and I think the Dolphins would immediately be one of the primary SB contenders next season. Get starter quality players at need positions (OL-DB-WR) with 3 of those first 5 early draft picks, and I think you could replace "one of the" in the previous sentence with "THE."

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Add me to the Luck party.  He went #1 for a reason, and he has done nothing in Indy to suggest it was a mistake. 

[Sunstroke]

...I'd have to go with Luck because with the way Shanahan is playing RG3, it's only a matter of time before a major injury comes his way. 

Especially if he continues to take hits like this one...ouch!