NFL Draft 2011: 5 Quarterbacks Hoping to Hear Their Name Called on Day 2

The first round of the 2011 draft saw four quarterbacks come off the board in the first 12 picks and none in the following 20.

Teams that could be considering a quarterback in Round 2 include the Bills (No. 34), the Bengals (No. 35), the Cardinals (No. 38), the Redskins (No. 41), the 49ers (No. 45), the Raiders (No. 48), the Redskins again (No. 49) and the Seahawks (No. 57).

Unfortunately for those seven teams, only five of the remaining signal-callers are widely believed to be deserving of a Day 2 or at least a Round 4 grade.

Who is this fab five of quarterbacks that are expecting to hear their names called on Day 2? 

Andy Dalton, TCU

This draftnik foresaw some of the flaws that dropped Dalton from day one...

Dalton was a four-year starter at TCU, and only Colt McCoy has won more games as a quarterback in Division I football. A smart, "gamer" of a quarterback, Dalton has the intangibles of a winner.

However, questions about his arm strength, measurables and system background have likely caused his fall.  

On Thursday morning, Dalton was a hot name rumored to be taken as high as No. 8 by the Tennessee Titans.

Jake Locker ended up being that selection with Christian Ponder soon to follow at No. 12, making Dalton a hot topic of discussion on Day 1.

Unfortunately, his fiery red hairdo was the only thing that remained hot about Dalton as Thursday night continued. Now, he heads the list of signal-callers likely to be taken early on Day 2.

I think his best fits are San Francisco, Arizona and Seattle—I really am not trying to be NFC west-biased, but I understand that's a hard case to plead... 

Ryan Mallett, Arkansas

Ryan Mallett doesn't have pocket presence and can't throw on the move? Hmm.

Mallett is the best pure passer in the the 2011 draft.

I can't count the number of sources I've encountered that have stated that fact, the latest being Kurt Warner on the NFL network Thursday. 

Mallett has character issues—drug use and generally questionable demeanor being the red flags.

However, I am one to think Mallett is more of a misunderstood character that wants to work hard and win in the NFL—his past is not really an issue for a team that believes he's moved on.

I believe Mallett would enjoy throwing to Ochocinco and A.J. Green in Cincinnati.

Who knows, maybe the Bengals will draft Mallett, and Carson Palmer will decide that now he wants to keep his job.

The Raiders also seem to be an obvious fit. Al Davis would have his JaMarcus Russell re-do.

If Mallett maintains a good head on his shoulders, I believe he could become a Ben Roethlisberger-type talent. 

Colin Kaepernick, Nevada

Kaepernick is unconventional, but effective.

Kaepernick threw for over 3,000 yards, rushed for over 1,200 and had over 40 combined touchdowns in 2010. He threw for over 10,000 yards in his career. 

A lean frame, his willingness to take hits, an unconventional delivery and working out of the "pistol" offense in college lends to a painful transition into the NFL.

However, if he can find the right system, he may be able to succeed.

Chan Gailey in Buffalo seems like the type of coach who would be willing install an pistol-type offense in the NFL.

Mike Shanahan in Washington may also enjoy Kaepernick's skill set. 

Ricky Stanzi, Iowa

Stanzi is a system quarterback. He is an efficiency quarterback.

Stanzi had his best year in 2010, yet he has remained under the radar as a potential NFL starter.

Over 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns to six interceptions with a completion percentage over 64 are quality numbers in a defense-based, ball-control conference. 

Prototypical size and solid athleticism could produce a solid NFL backup—a guy who could step in and ride momentum to a starter role.

Of the quarterbacks on this list, Stanzi is most similar to Dalton. If Dalton goes late, Stanzi will go later than expected, possibly falling out of Day 2.

Tyrod Taylor, Virginia Tech

Not quite "V-Mobile," but a good athlete.

The knock on Taylor is his four years of a completion percentage below 60 percent, but he has thrown 37 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions his past two seasons combined.

As shown in the video, he relies on the Virginia Tech staple: the fast-footed, snappy-arm style. 

Taylor needs to work with a quarterback coach that can harness his athleticism and nimbleness to help him become more patient in the pocket—being undersized, he struggles to see through passing lanes at times.

Teams have been disappointed that he hasn't been willing to run routes or return kicks. I believe he needs to be drafted to a team with the intention of making him a backup and slowly working him into various roles of the offense as his overall skill set grows.

He is an athlete and competitor worthy of Day 2 consideration for any team with an extra pick that wants a sub-package, versatile backup quarterback.