2011 NFL Draft: Ranking the Top 10 Quarterbacks

The time to start ranking college players for the NFL Draft is here. We don't know if all of these guys are leaving college yet so I will rank them as if they were. 

I have watched a lot of film on all of these quarterbacks and they are all very talented in their own right. Some of players that I have watched are a bit more overrated than the others but then again, I'm just one opinion. 

I'm interested to hear what you all think so please comment below. 

Please note - My analysis and rankings are based on these players' readiness for the pro level. 

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10. Colin Kaepernick: Nevada

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LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 02: Quarterback Colin Kaepernick #10 of the Nevada Reno Wolf Pack looks to pass against the UNLV Rebels in the third quarter of their game at Sam Boyd Stadium October 2, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nevada Reno won 44-26. (Photo by Et

Grade: B, 4th round

Colin Kaepernick is a very physically-gifted athlete. At six-foot-six, he is enormous. However, it's the 200 pound weight that worries me a bit. The prototypical quarterback, in my mind, weighs around 215-plus pounds.

With all physical attributes aside, Kaepernick has above-average speed and confidence to compliment his strong throwing arm. Some of the throws that Kaepernick makes seem to be simplified a bit which worries me. In the NFL, I'm sure you all know that making the tough throw will make or break a career. 

9. Pat Devlin: Delaware

Grade: B, 3rd - 4th round

Pat Devlin is from the Joe Flacco line of quarterbacks. The Delaware Blue Hens run a West Coast style, spread offense (if that makes sense). It involves a lot of short to intermediate patterns. Almost like the New England Patriots. 

The thing that struck me about Devlin is his accurate arm and good decision-making. His excellent poise in the pocket is also an eye-opener. The one thing that is iffy at this point for me is Devlin's arm strength and his mobility outside of the pocket. 

8. Jerrod Johnson: Texas A&M

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COLLEGE STATION, TX - NOVEMBER 26: Quarterback Jerrod Johnson #1 of the Texas A&M Aggies looks to throw the ball downfield to an open receiver against the Texas Longhorns in the second half at Kyle Field on November 26, 2009 in College Station, Texas. The

Grade: B, 3rd - 4th round

The one obvious characteristic that Jerrod Johnson possesses is his ability to run the football when necessary and extend the play. Usually NFL teams are very high on quarterbacks that can run and throw very well. The unfortunate thing for Jerrod Johnson is that his passing game isn't as solid as many GMs would like. In my mind, Johnson has an average arm at best. 

If you watch film on JJ, you notice immediately that he often throws the ball up for his receivers to grab. He doesn't quite have a grasp on how to accurately throw the football to the right spots. 

7. Ricky Stanzi: Iowa

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IOWA CITY, IA - OCTOBER 30- Quarterback Ricky Stanzi #12 of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes warms up his throwing arm before play against the Michigan State Spartans at Kinnick Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 37-6 over Michigan St

Grade: A-, 2nd - 3rd Round

Ricky Stanzi is one of my favorite quarterbacks in college right now. The guy is an absolute warrior and a boss. Just check out that tattoo. In all seriousness, Stanzi is a very gifted athlete. He has the prototypical quarterback size at six-foot-four, 230 pounds. Stanzi has a great pocket presence combined with unbelievable mobility and arm strength.

His release is decent but could be a little bit quicker. The main thing that I love about Stanzi is his confidence and gutsiness. He stands in the pocket and gets the job done. 

I predict that Stanzi will be in the top five quarterbacks drafted in April. However, I have him listed a little further back because I'd like to see how he handles pressure in the pocket. Iowa has a pretty good offensive line. 

6. Andy Dalton: TCU

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 30: Quarterback Andy Dalton #14 of the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs looks to hand the ball off during a game against the UNLV Rebels at Sam Boyd Stadium October 30, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. TCU won 48-6. (Photo by Ethan

Grade: A-, 2nd round

I like Andy Dalton as an NFL prospect. His accuracy is very, very good and if you combine that with great pocket presence and mobility, you have yourself an excellent franchise quarterback. 

One attribute that many unsuccessful "franchise" quarterbacks in the NFL don't posses is confidence and maturity. Andy Dalton has both. Just by watching him play the quarterback position it is easy to tell how confident he really is.

If I'm an NFL general manager and he's the next quarterback available, I'm taking him. 

5. Christian Ponder: Florida State

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RALEIGH, NC - OCTOBER 28: Christian Ponder #7 of the Florida State Seminoles drops back to throw a pass against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during their game at Carter-Finley Stadium on October 28, 2010 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Street

Grade: A-, 2nd round

Christian Ponder reminds me a little bit of Tim Tebow. Except the fact that he doesn't need to revamp his throwing mechanics. 

Ponder has above-average arm strength and very good mobility. The main thing that stuck out for me was his superb pocket presence. There were times when I would scream at the TV, "move, move!" but he just stayed in there and delivered the strike. 

He is a warrior and fights for every win. Even if his team is down, Ponder will try to put as many points on the board as he can. Great player.

4. Cam Newton: Auburn

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 06: Quarterback Cam Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers warms up before play against the Chattanooga Mocs November 6, 2010 at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Grade: A-, 1st - 2nd round

I originally had Cam Newton tagged with a 2nd-3rd round draft grade. However, after watching some more game film on this kid, I am thoroughly impressed. If he decides to enter the draft (almost 100% sure), he will undoubtedly be a high pick. 

First off, Newton is massive. Listed at six-foot-six and 238 pounds, he is one of the biggest quarterbacks in the draft next to Colin Kaepernick and Ryan Mallett. He has superior arm strength and very good pocket awareness. I am a fan of his decision-making and his ability to scramble is wonderful. Just like Ben Roethlisberger, Newton uses his big frame to his advantage. 

The only caveat that I have is Newton's speed at which he moves around in the pocket. I may be blind but it seems as though his footwork is a bit slow. Once he reaches the NFL, defensive ends such as Dwight Freeney and Julius Peppers have the potential to tear him up. 

3. Ryan Mallett: Arkansas

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, SC - NOVEMBER 06: Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks during warm ups before the start of their game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 6, 2010 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lec

Grade: A, 1st round

Ryan Mallett is one of the best quarterbacks that I have ever seen on film. His confident poise in the pocket is remarkable. His huge six-foot-six frame just looms like a skyscraper.

He can make all of the tough throws and his arm strength is above-average. The main gift that Mallett has is his ability to combine his super arm strength with his zip-tight accuracy. Any quarterback that can have pinpoint accuracy on the short, intermediate, and long throws is a must have. 

If he doesn't go in the first round, I will be very surprised. There are many teams that need him. 

2. Andrew Luck: Stanford

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TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterback Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal throws a pass against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Grade: A, 1st round

Andrew Luck. Andrew Luck. Oh, Andrew Luck.

You're all probably sitting there yelling at why Luck isn't "numero uno" on my list. Well, I'm here to tell you why. 

Luck is one of the smartest quarterbacks that I've watched. He has a very strong and accurate arm with a beautiful delivery. He is absolutely capable of making all the throws. 

The one thing that worries me is the fact that Luck plays on an almost flawless offense. The Cardinal's offensive line is impeccable. The receivers catch the football and the running game is solid. Chances are that Luck will go to a pretty bad NFL team with almost no support around him. 

How can he handle the quarterback position under pressure? The unknown worries me. 

1. Jake Locker: Washington

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TUCSON, AZ - OCTOBER 23: Quarterback Jake Locker #10 of the Washington Huskies drops back to pass during the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats defeated the Huskies 4

Grade: A, 1st round

Jake Locker has so much potential that it is almost a shame that he plays for a garbage team like Washington. They have offensive guards playing tackle, centers playing guard, and tackles playing guard. Receivers are dropping balls left and right. It's utter chaos. 

Guess who is getting most of the blame? Jake Locker. 

Locker could have put up better numbers, yes. However, he is playing behind an absolute pathetic excuse of an offensive line and has a rib injury. Other than that, he is good to go. 

Locker has a strong arm and can make all of the NFL throws. To say that Locker bulldozes people is an understatement. When this guy runs, you better watch out. I was watching some film of the Washington/UCLA game and Locker absolutely demolished two defenders in an effort to gain a first down. 

He's a competitor folks. Competitor's will make it further in the NFL than talented quarterbacks will. Mark my words, Jake Locker will be an exceptional quarterback in pro football.