2011 NFL Draft's Top 15 Quarterback Prospects

The consensus on the 2010 quarterback draft class is that it is full of players who were excellent in college but do not necessarily translate very well to the NFL.

I do not agree with that, and although I think that Sam Bradford is painfully overrated, Jimmy Clausen is clearly the No. 1 quarterback.

I also believe that Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow will eventually be very good quarterbacks in the NFL.

But for the 2011 draft, the quarterbacks seem to be coming from teams that are not heavily involved in the national championship discussion.

Note: The list includes all quarterbacks who are eligible to enter the draft—not that I believe all of them will enter the draft.

Honorable Mention

Kevin Riley, California

He works in a pro-style offense and threw for 2,850 yards and 18 touchdowns. But his 54.7 completion percentage needs work, to say the least.

Ben Chappell, Indiana

He needs to cut down on his interceptions, but he has good size, and with a big 2010 season he could greatly improve his stock.

Greg McElroy, Alabama

He put up big numbers against the poor teams and benefited from the running game of Mark Ingram.

Andy Dalton, TCU

He did not play well in the bowl game against Boise State and does not play in a pro-style offense.

Mitch Mustain, USC

He will struggle to find playing time in 2010 but could be a late round pick like Matt Cassel.

Not On List: Jacory Harris, Miami

In my opinion he does not have a successful career in the NFL ahead of him.

15: Ricky Stanzi, Iowa

Stanzi has a strong arm and plays in a pro-style offense, but he needs to show that he can take care of the ball in 2010 and be more efficient.

In 2009 he threw 15 interceptions, 17 touchdowns, and compiled 2,417 yards while completing 56.3 percent of his passes.

The Iowa quarterback did lead his team to a win in the Orange Bowl, and he has proven that he is a winner. If he can improve his efficiency and taking care of the ball, he would improve his stock.

PROJECTION: Round Seven/Undrafted

14: Scott Tolzien, Wisconsin

He completed 64.3 percent of his passes in his first year as a starter in the Badgers' pro-style offense.

He threw for 2,705 yards with 16 touchdowns, which are very solid numbers.

If he can improve his touchdowns and throw fewer interceptions (he threw 13 last year), he could propel himself into the top half of this quarterback class.

PROJECTION: Round Six/Undrafted

13: Case Keenum, Houston

Keenum puts up huge stats, as he should in the Houston offense. He seems to be another system quarterback.

He may benefit from another year in school, but unless he shows that he can be effective from more than just the shotgun, he will remain a mid-level prospect.

PROJECTION: Round Five/Undrafted

12: Jerrod Johnson, Texas A&M

He flashed his skills to the entire country in the game against Texas, but he also put up a full year with great statistics: 3,579 yards and 30 touchdowns.

Johnson can improve his stock with better passing efficiency in 2011.

A&M's offense is a spread, so that will hurt his stock, but he could be the 2011 version of Jarrett Brown.

PROJECTION: Rounds Four to Six

11: Nathan Enderle, Idaho

The quarterback from Idaho has very good size, and if he puts up stats in 2010 that are similar to his 2009 stats, he could move up the board quickly.

In 2009 he threw for 2,906 yards with 22 touchdowns for a team that is never in the national spotlight.

I could see him moving up into the second round if he stays healthy and continues to play well.

PROJECTION: Rounds Three to Five

10: Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State

Now I know this might seem low for many people, but I just haven't seen enough from him to show that he can be a top-notch quarterback in the NFL.

In 2010 he needs to improve his completion percentage from 2009 (56.6). I think he should stay all four years in college not only because he would benefit from the experience, but also because this quarterback class is extremely deep.

PROJECTION: Rounds Two to Five

9: Zach Collaros, Cincinnati

Yes, he is undersized. Yes, he only started half a year for the Bearcats. But I do see him as a better prospect at the end of next year compared to Terrelle Pryor.

Collaros filled in for Tony Pike and displayed a strong arm and also very accurate passes. His 75 percent efficiency to go along with 1,434 yards helped Cincinnati keep a perfect regular season record.

He is another player that I hope stays in school for his senior season, as he would benefit from that final season. But two years under Butch Jones could greatly improve his game.

PROJECTION: Rounds Five to Six

8: Kellen Moore, Boise State

Moore can improve his stock if he lives up to expectations for the upcoming season. He is only 6'0", but he has shown that he can be extremely accurate and is a proven winner.

He will probably stick around for his senior season, but if they do make it to the BCS National Championship next year, he would most definitely be an intricate part and would receive a world of recognition for that.

PROJECTION: Rounds Three to Four

6: Nick Foles, Arizona

He has to take more shots downfield, as he has a tendency check down too early and often.

Foles' build and solid statistics—2,486 yards and 19 touchdowns—lead me to believe that he deserves the No. 6 spot on this list. With a big 2010, he could possibly move up this list.

PROJECTION: Rounds Two to Three

4: Christian Ponder, Florida State

Ponder is another QB with something to prove because he has to return effectively from an injury. He still threw for 2,718 yards while completing 68.8 percent of his passes last season.

If he can completely recover from the separated shoulder and regain his 2009 form, he could also be a late first or early second round pick.

PROJECTION: First Round

3: Pat Devlin, Delaware

The Penn State transfer showed good things in his first year as a Blue Hen. He threw for 2,664 yards, 16 touchdowns, and nine picks on 7.7 YPA and a 64.0 completion percentage.

Those numbers, along with his size, could make him a hot commodity this time next year. He has followed Joe Flacco's footsteps pretty well so far—could they have a similar ending?

PROJECTION: Top 20

4. Jake Locker, Washington

Over the past three years his completion percentage has steadily risen from 47.3 to 53.8 to 58.2 this past year.

If he continues to get better in that aspect of his game and stays healthy, he will be the first quarterback off the board in 2011.

PROJECTION: Late First Round

3: Ryan Mallett, Arkansas

Mallett has the size and arm that many owners dream of, and he seems to have the intangibles to be a success in the NFL—unless he is drafted by the Oakland Raiders.

His 2009 stats, 3,624 yards, 30 TDs, and seven INTs are a testament to his ability. If he can stay healthy in 2010, he will likely be a top-10 pick in 2011.

PROJECTION: Round 1

2: Blaine Gabbert, Missouri

Gabbert has prototypical NFL size, but one thing that could hurt him is the offense that Missouri uses. However, his 6'5", 240-lb. size will do nothing but help him.

If he continues to put up big performances, he could be a very good Combine or Pro Day workout away from being chosen in the second round.

PROJECTION:Top Ten

1: Andrew Luck, Stanford

As for Luck, he needs to prove that he can perform without the running game of Toby Gerhart.

Last season, Luck threw for 2,575 yards and 13 touchdowns. I think that the low number of touchdowns is not an issue because Gerhart ran for 28 touchdowns.

If he puts up numbers like these without, Gerhart he would be a first round pick in 2011.

PROJECTION: Staying