The Indianapolis Colts selected Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the first pick in the 2012 NFL draft, just one month after releasing veteran Peyton Manning.
The Colts, who announced their intentions to pick Luck a couple of days before the draft, will be trying to rebuild their offence around the young signal-caller.
"I am so excited. Nothing is a done deal until it is done," Luck said. "I am anxious to get started and to be in a new locker room with a great group of guys."
Luck, who is the son of ex-NFL quarterback Oliver Luck, is expected to step right into the starting role after a brilliant career at Stanford.
This marks the fourth straight year a quarterback was selected first overall.
The Washington Redskins used the second pick to choose Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Robert Griffin, making them the first pair of quarterbacks to be taken one and two overall since 1999.
Griffin is the first Heisman winner in Baylor University history.
The Cleveland Browns traded up to get the third pick and used it to select running back Trent Richardson.
"It's bigger than winning my national championship," said Richardson, who played for collegiate champions Alabama. "The feeling I got right now is incredible."
The Browns moved up one spot from number four, swapping picks with the Minnesota Vikings to get the 20-year-old Richardson, who grew up poor in Pensacola, Florida, before starring at Alabama.
"I work hard at what I do," Richardson said. "I never gave up. I got an injury and I wasn't supposed to be able to run again but I kept my faith.
"I saw my mom working two or three jobs and she was battling cancer at the time. Now my family won't have to worry."
Cleveland paid a hefty price to get Richardson in one of four trades in the top 12 picks at the Radio City Music Hall venue.
The Browns sacrificed their selections in the fourth, fifth and seventh rounds to move up just one place.
Minnesota selected talented offensive tackle Matt Kalil from the University of Southern California at number four.
Justin Blackmon became the first wide receiver chosen when the Jacksonville Jaguars made him the fifth overall pick.
Source: AFP Global Edition
