For seven years, SB Nation's NFL writers have gotten together to conduct a two round mock draft. I'm very proud to say that I'm one of the originals from the very first mock, waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in 2006. Writers like David Halprin and Michael Bean were also part of that crew.

For the first time, not only am I picking in the Top Ten, but I had to select the No. 1 overall player in this years mock. Unlike previous years, there was no drama in the selection. It's not like I had to pick between Matt Ryan and Jake Long, or Sam Bradford and Ndamukong Suh. This year, the No. 1 pick in the 2012 SB Nation Writers Mock Draft was obvious.

With the first overall pick in the 2012 SB Nation NFL Writers Mock Draft, the Indianapolis Colts select Andrew Luck, quarterback, Stanford.

Here's my explanation at MtD for the pick:

Brad Wells explains: Peyton Manning is in Denver, and the Indianapolis Colts can now FINALLY close a chapter on one era and begin writing a new one. Make no mistake, Luck is being drafted to replace Manning, not to simply succeed him. Luck’s success will be critical in helping the Colts franchise establish a true connection with the Indianapolis community. Some in the community feel that Manning was bigger than the Colts, and without him the franchise simply no longer exists. It is Luck's job change that mindset. If Luck doesn’t thrive and win over fans, the Colts will become an afterthought in the Hoosier State, just as the Reggie Miller-less Indiana Pacers have become.

Head to Mocking the draft to read editor Dan Kadar's analysis of my pick, and whether or not he agreed or disagreed.

Dan also has a great scouting report on Andrew Luck posted.