2011 NFL Draft: 3 Offensive Players on the Rise

Let’s take a look at the offensive players whose stock is on the rise after impressive showings at the 2011 Scouting Combine.

Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri Tigers 

Some might think that including Gabbert among the “Risers” is a little odd especially when you consider that the Ballwin, MO native remains a somewhat unknown quantity after he opted out of Combine throwing drills.

Gabbert, who posted a solid 40-time of 4.62 seconds, said that he’ll throw for scouts and team officials during Missouri’s Pro Day on March 17.

By interestingly enough, the decision not to throw allowed Gabbert to sit back and watch as Cam Newton, his only serious competition for first quarterback off the board in April’s NFL Draft misfired and overthrew ball after ball. Newton also has well documented character concerns that Gabbert does not.

So even though he barely lifted a finger during the Combine,  Gabbert may have passed Newton as the No. 1 quarterback on the draft boards of most NFL teams. That could change if Gabbert has a poor Pro Day workout. Gabbert should be just fine as long as he exhibits the skill set that enabled him throw 40 touchdown passes against 18 interceptions during his sophomore and junior seasons. 

Gabbert’s NFL Comparison: Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State Seminoles

Like Gabbert, Ponder’s stock rises to some extent on Newton’s shortcomings. That aside, Ponder also put on a show for scouts that alleviated concerns about his health that stemmed from arm and shoulder ailments that hampered his college career.

He set himself apart from the pack during throwing drills, delivering a crisp, accurate ball on intermediate routes and hitting his receivers in stride on a pair of deep balls.

Standing 6’2” and without remarkable arm strength, Ponder has his limitations, but his strengths more than outweigh them.  He knows where to place the ball, has a quick release, runs the 40 in 4.65 seconds and is highly intelligent with natural leadership skills.

Ponder came into the Combine as a projected second-round pick, but he left as a possible late first rounder for a team looking to install a high upside quarterback into a West Coast offense.

Ponder’s NFL Comparison: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buffalo Bills

DaRel Scott, RB, Maryland Terrapins

Scott made his presence known when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds, top among running backs.

One of the best big-play backs in the college ranks since he burst onto the scene in 2008, Scott capped off his often electrifying career at Maryland by turning 13 carries into 200 yards and two touchdowns. At 5’11” and 192 pounds, Scott probably isn’t cut out to be a feature back in the NFL, but he has the potential to evolve into a formidable third-down back and an occasional home run hitter.

Scott could very well end up being a steal for the team that scoops him up in the later rounds of the Draft..

Scott’s NFL Comparison: Justin Forsett, Seattle Seahawks

To read more NFL Draft Coverage Go Here:

Offensive Prospects on the Rise

Red Flag Prospects

Under-the-Radar Prospects