2010 NFL Draft Mystery: Where Does Jimmy Clausen Go?

Jimmy Clausen is the number one quarterback on NFL Draft 101's draft board and a consensus top two quarterback in the upcoming NFL Draft.  That said, it is hard to remember a year in which a highly touted quarterback has generated so little buzz leading up to the draft (normally they are overhyped).

Consider the following:

• A three-year starter with 34 career starts
• The only top quarterback in this year's class to come out of a pro-style offense and was tutored by an NFL offensive coordinator
• Improved across the board during each of his three seasons
• Displays good mechanics and above average arm strength
• Has taken snaps from center
• Attempted 425 passes (including more deep attempts than most spread QBs), with a 68% completion rating, 28 TDs, and four INTs in 2009)
• Measured 6'2" (below average but he meets the minimum height requirement teams seek in a QB)
• Demonstrated toughness playing through a painful toe injury the second half of 2009
• Stood behind his beleagured coach during a difficult season
• Was not a member of the Notre Dame defense (OK, this one is a bit of a joke)

Of the above the one that stands out is playing in a pro-style offense.  Yet the buzz is almost nonexistent.  The biggest reason for the lack of hype is an apparent lack of leadership skills but on the field he appeared to demonstrate those traits.  Off the field, he must be pretty difficult because there is a decent chance he goes outside the top 10 in this year's draft.

Here's a quick look at Clausen's most likely destinations (in order of likelihood):

1. Buffalo (pick No. 9) —The Bills have a new coaching staff and need a face for the franchise, making Clausen an attractive option.  The Bills' offensive tackle situation is one of the worst in the league and taking Clausen would make it difficult to fill that need on draft day.  Further, while Clausen should be an ideal fit from a talent perspective, there is talk the Bills may be leaning towards Colt McCoy or Tim Tebow in round two and the team adopting more of a spread-like attack (see Kansas City, 2008).

2. Cleveland (pick No. 7) —The Browns have been searching for a franchise quarterback since the team's reincarnation and Clausen should be a great fit for an offensive minded guy like Mike Holmgren. Holmgren has also gone on record saying "I wish I liked him more" and did not spend $7 million on Jake Delhomme to have him holding a clipboard.  While Delhomme's signing does not rule out a Clausen pick, as he is not the long-term answer, Holmgren seems to have his eyes on someone else most likely in round two.  No one has been able to peg that someone else, but odds are it is Colt McCoy (with Tim Tebow and Dan LeFevour as the other candidates)

3. Oakland (pick No. 8) —JaMarcus Russell has been a bust and does not appear on the verge of a turnaround.  As much as they don't want to invest even more into the quarterback position, it appears it might be time to move on.  The more you think about this option the better it feels but you worry he is not toolsy enough for Al Davis.

It gets dicey after the top three:

4. San Francisco (picks No. 13 and No. 17) —Alex Smith appeared to breakthrough in 2009 but the team does not sound completely sold on him.  Clausen would be a good fit and likely upgrade but Mike Singletary probably does not want to deal with a quarterback competition in what is supposed to be the team's breakthrough season.

5. Denver (pick No. 11) —Kyle Orton is clearly not the answer and recently acquired Brady Quinn was a bargain basement acquisition.  If Josh McDaniels believes Clausen is better than both of them he could convince management to draft him.  That said, it is hard to picture Denver drafting a first-round QB so soon after trading Jay Cutler.  The character comparisons of Cutler and Clausen are not likely to win points in McDaniels' book either.

6. Arizona (pick No. 26) —If the Cardinals were not picking way down at 26, they would likely rank higher on the list.  Clausen is a great scheme fit as the Cardinals feature a pass-oriented attack with great weapons but lack the quarterback to run it.  Ken Whisenhunt has never believed in Matt Leinart and likely earns a mulligan for 2010 to develop his own quarterback.  If Clausen falls out of the top 10, it would not surprise me if the Cards looked to move up to get him (they have an extra third rounder to help move up).

7. Minnesota (pick No. 30) —Brett Favre is likely entering his final season (although with Favre you never know) and Tarvaris Jackson does not appear to have earned the quarterback of the future title.  If Clausen were to fall in the Vikings' laps they will likely take him.

8. Jacksonville (pick No. 10) —The Jaguars are not convinced David Garrard is their best long-term option but coaches and GMs in a make-or-break season do not often draft first-round quarterbacks. 

9. Kansas City (pick No. 5) —Clausen played for new offensive coordinator Charlie Weis at Notre Dame and Matt Cassell was hardly a star in his first season with the team.  Head coach Todd Haley also does not appear to have complete faith in Matt Cassell.  Nonetheless, the Chiefs have too many other needs to use a top 34 pick on a quarterback for the second consecutive year.

10. Seattle (pick No. 6 and No. 14) —The Seahawks gave up an awful lot to acquire Charlie Whitehurst to turn around and pick a quarterback in the first round. 

11. St. Louis (picks No. 1 and No. 33) —With the team zoning in on Sam Bradford, this seems unlikely, but it is extremely risky to pay $40+ million for a quarterback coming out of the spread offense and off of shoulder surgery on his throwing arm.  If Clausen's stock is truly down, what is to keep the Rams from taking Suh No. 1 and then trading back into Round 1 to nab Clausen in front of Arizona or Minnesota?

There you have it: a look at Clausen's possibilities.  On April 22nd (or 23rd) we will know the answer to the Clausen mystery.

Chris Maier is Senior Editor for nfldraft101.com .  He can be reached at [e-mail] .  Follow me on twitter: nfldraft101 .