2011 NFL Draft: Ranking the Top QB Prospects

Is it premature? Maybe. The 2011 draft is eight months away and I'm ranking the top prospects before they play their third college game of the 2010 season.  

I haven't written an article/slideshow in a while because I've been busy. Well, now that I have no important things to do, I think it is time for me to get back to work. 

The quarterback is the most important player on an NFL team. Not every team can get that one great quarterback that they've been wanting. A GM drafting a QB can either become a genius or a dummy. 

I have taken the time to rank the top QB Prospects in the upcoming draft. 

I hope you enjoy.

1. Andrew Luck

Harry How/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Andrew Luck #12 of Stanford passes in the pocket against UCLA during the game at the Rose Bowl on September 11, 2010 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

I know some of you think Jake Locker is the best quarterback prospect in the 2011 draft, but from watching both quarterbacks play, I am more impressed with Andrew Luck. Locker is the better runner, but Luck is the better passer.

To me, Luck is an Aaron Rodgers clone. Luck has a strong arm and is very mobile.

Luck is being groomed by former NFL quarterback Jim Harbaugh (A.K.A Captain Comeback). Having a coach who has played in the NFL and knows what is like to win big games, can help a young quarterback like Luck.

Also, playing in that in a Pro Style offense can help too. 

Luck's smarts and abilty to make plays in and outside the pocket put's him at the top of my list.

2. Jake Locker

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback Jake Locker #10 of the Washington Huskies passes against the Syracuse Orange on September 11, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. The Huskies defeated the Orange 41-20. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Locker posses a strong arm and a very rare power running style.  If Locker had decided to forgo his senior year and declare for the 2010 NFL draft he would have been the number one overall pick in the draft. 

But he decided to stay for his senior year at Washington. I think that shows a lot of maturity on Locker's part.

I do think Locker can sometimes be a little impatient and not let plays develop. But he can fix that.

Locker's college stats aren't exactly great, but Luck's stats aren't that much better and last year was Locker's first year playing in Steve Sarkisian's offense.

I think Locker will have the best year of his college career, but I still don't think that Locker is better than Luck.

3. Ryan Mallett

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 03: Quarterback Ryan Mallett #15 of the Texas A&M Aggies at Cowboys Stadium on October 3, 2009 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Ryan Mallett is your classic gunslinger.

He has a rocket arm and better than prototypical size at 6'7". This transfer from Michigan has all the tools you want in a starting quarterback (except for mobility).

If Mallett didn't play in Bobby Petrino's offense and didn't have questions about character, he would be the number one pick in the draft.

Last year Mallett had 30 touchdows and only seven interceptions.

The amazing thing about it is, he can proably do better.

4. Blaine Gabbert

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 24: Quarterback Blaine Gabbert #11 of the Missouri Tigers looks to pass the ball during the game against the Texas Longhorns on October 24, 2009 at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty I

Blaine Gabbert is an accurate quarterback with a strong arm and a lot of poise in the pocket.

In his senior year of high school, Gabbert was rated the number one pro style quarterback in the country and had a lot of expectations coming into Missouri. So far he has not disappointed.

Gabbert plays in the spread offense, which will hurt his stock. But having the intangibles that he has it will hard for teams to pass up on him.

5. Christian Ponder

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback Christian Ponder #7 of the Florida State Seminoles drops back to pass against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 11, 2010 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Ge

Christian Ponder is an interesting prospect. Ponder's arm is only above average, but he is very smart, very accurate, and capable of making plays outside the pocket.

Ponder, in my opinion, is not a first round talent, but I think he can be groomed into a starting quarterback.

6. John Brantley

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback John Brantley #12 of the Florida Gators attempts a pass during a game against the South Florida Bulls at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 11, 2010 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Im

John Brantley is arguably the best QB prospect to ever come out of the University of  Florida.

Brantley has a great arm and maybe one of the quickest releases you will ever see. 

Brantley plays in the spread offense, which hurts his stock. Also, Brantley plays for Florida, which also hurts his stock since Florida quarterbacks have never done good in the pros since...ever. So you have to believe that teams will take a close look at that. 

Brantley could be a very good pro. But he must be in the right situation for that to happen.

7. Ricky Stanzi

Doug Benc/Getty Images

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JANUARY 05: Quarterback Ricky Stanzi #12 of the Iowa Hawkeyes rolls out to pass against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the FedEx Orange Bowl at Land Shark Stadium on January 5, 2010 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Iowa won 24-14.

Ricky Stanzi has a great arm and plays in a pro style offense. But he makes too many poor decisions. 

Stanzi is at best a late round pick. I don't see him as a starter, but a first rate back up.

8. Colin Kaepernick

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, MO - SEPTEMBER 13: Quarterback Colin Kaepernick #10 of the Nevada Wolf Pack rolls out during the first half of the game against the Missouri Tigers on September 13, 2008 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty I

Kaepernick has a strong arm and great speed. But he doesn't play in an pro style offense, and other than Boise State, he does not play any elite schools.

Kaepernick might not even be drafted as a quarterback. If he is drafted as a quarterback, he will have to be groomed to be a backup.