Quarterbacks are game-changers and franchise-builders, and the stars of this year's draft classhave taken it to a higher level. Andrew Luck of Stanford and Robert Griffin III of Baylor are the most talented and celebrated 1-2 quarterback tandem in recent draft history. They're certain to be the first two players drafted on April 26 - Luck No. 1 overall to the Colts and Griffin next to the Redskins.
More than a month before the draft, the enormous potential of the two young guns had combined to change the makeup of the Colts' franchise and altered the top of the draft because of the trade made by the Redskins to move into the second spot.
Since ending last season with a 2-14 record that earned them the No. 1 pick, the Colts have dismantled the franchise to rebuild - they hope - around Luck.
They've changed head coaches and general managers and released quarterback Peyton Manning, who led them to a decade of dominance and a Super Bowl championship as perhaps the most important player to a franchise in NFL history.
The Redskins, desperate for a new offensive leader, traded three first-round picks and a second-rounder to the Rams to move from the sixth spot to No. 2 to draft Griffin.
Without throwing a pass as pro players, Luck and Griffin have made an impact. It's a reflection of how important quarterbacks are as the NFL has tilted heavily toward being a passing-oriented league.
The Lions are an example of what having an elite quarterback means. 
In any endeavor, the man in the spotlight provides leadership and makes the difference.
A lot of bands can make great music, but the stars out front - Bruno Mars, Mick Jagger, Lady Gaga - drive the show and sell tickets.
Luck and Griffin have star appeal with ability, high character and bright personalities. They took different paths to the top of the draft.
For the last two years, Luck has been hailed as a perfect fit to run a pro offense. The son of former NFL quarterback Oliver Luck, Andrew Luck has a rare blend of skills and decision-making that should let him step into a pro huddle and run a team with a short learning curve.
Griffin's athletic ability is off the charts. He rose like a shooting star in 2011 to win the Heisman Trophy and rocketed to the top of the draft class with an incredible season as he lifted Baylor into national prominence.
Brian Billick, head coach of the 2000 Ravens team that won the Super Bowl and an analyst for the FOX and NFL networks, raved about Luck and Griffin at the NFL Scouting Combine earlier this year.
"I think Andrew Luck is the most dynamic quarterbacking talent to come out since John Elway - as a prospect," Billick said, referring to Elway being drafted first overall in 1983. "I think Andrew Luck has more credentials, fewer questions about him, than anybody since John Elway."
Griffin could have been a world-class track athlete had he not chosen to concentrate on football. His athletic ability surpasses anything Billick has seen in a quarterback - including Michael Vick - and he has the passing skills to go with it.
"When you talk about the Michael Vicks or the Cam Newtons or the athletic quarterbacks, this is the best throwing athlete I've seen come out in a while," Billick said. "Far better than Michael Vick, in my opinion. Far better than Cam Newton.
"This guy has a pure throwing motion for an athletic quarterback."
Luck and Griffin have separated themselves from this year's class of quarterbacks - and from the entire draft, for that matter.
Ryan Tannehill of Texas A&M is the only other legitimate first-round quarterback prospect, but there are questions about him, as there are about many others.
Tannehill lacks starting experience in college. Brandon Weeden of Oklahoma State is 29, which is old for a team to make a long-term investment.
At 6-foot-7, Brock Osweiler is taller than what is considered ideal for a quarterback. Michigan State's Kirk Cousins has all the intangibles required to play quarterback, but his upside could be limited.
Luck and Griffin are projected to be the game-changers - the way Peyton Manning was for the Colts, brother Eli for the Giants, Ben Roethlisberger for the Steelers, Tom Brady for the Patriots, Cam Newton for the Panthers and Stafford for the Lions.
There are no guarantees in the draft. There have been busts at the top - Tim Couch of Cleveland in 1999 and JaMarcus Russell of the Raiders in '07 - and bad choices. The 49ers took Alex Smith first overall in 2005, letting Aaron Rodgers slide to the Packers at No. 24.
Even with all the scouting information, sometimes a little luck is involved.
This year, it's Luck and Griffin.
