2011 NFL Draft: Andrew Luck, Jake Locker or Ryan Mallett? Ranking The Top QBs
The great debate of the 2011 NFL Draft just might be who the second best quarterback is. Most will agree that Stanford's Andrew Luck is the best of the bunch, but who is number two? Teams like San Francisco, Jacksonville and Arizona will all be targeting a quarterback in Round One, but which quarterback will be there for them?
15. Nathan Ederle, Idaho
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The Low Down: Enderle is a warrior. Imagine Brett Favre with no talent around him, but 20 years younger. That's Enderle. He won't be high on many draft boards, and you won't hear Mel Kiper talking him up, but this Idaho Vandal has serious NFL potential.
14. Greg McElroy, Alabama
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The Low Down: McElroy is a winner. While most think the Alabama offense is built on a solid running game, few notice that McElroy is the leader who makes it all flow. The Crimson Tide passing attack is nothing to ignore, and McElroy's ability to run a play action pass is a thing of beauty.
13. T.J. Yates, North Carolina
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The Low Down: As one of the few North Carolina Tar Heels who was not suspended for the season, Yates has faced adversity in 2010. Playing without his best receiver, Yates has still be productive. His ability to move around in the pocket is underrated, as is his down-field vision. Yates won't be drafted until round four or later, but he will be a valuable player for one lucky NFL team.
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12. Colin Kaepernick, Nevada
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The Low Down: Kaepernick will be many scouts choice for the draft's best sleeper at the quarterback position. He has it all; a strong arm, good accuracy and mechanics that are ready for the NFL. What he doesn't have is experience against big-boy defenses. That will come with a year or two of sitting in the NFL before he takes over the starting job.
11. Ricky Stanzi, Iowa
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The Low Down: Mel Kiper called Stanzi a 2nd round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, which is saying something. Stanzi is a tough son-of-a-gun. If you want your quarterback to be fearless and loaded with moxie, Stanzi is your man. His arm is underrated, and his short-range accuracy is out of this world. Future NFL starter? We think so.
10. Andy Dalton, TCU
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The Low Down: Those of you who follow us on Twitter know it, but we have a huge man-crush on Andy Dalton. He's a winner with the mechanics of a QB coach. His arm strength is top-notch, but where Dalton excels is his decision making and accuracy.
Andy Dalton won't be drafted in the first, or maybe even the second round, but he will be a starting NFL quarterback- and a good one at that.
9. Pat Devlin, Delaware
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The Low Down: The last time a quarterback from Delaware was drafted it turned out pretty well, since his name is Joe Flacco.
Devlin is not Flacco, but the comparisons will be overplayed this off-season. Devlin is a mobile quarterback for his size with a very live arm and good down-field accuracy. The one knock: He hasn't seen NFL level players or schemes at Delaware. A big week at the Senior Bowl is a must.
8. Christian Ponder, FSU
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The Low Down: Ponder may have been a first round pick if the Draft we held in September. Unfortunately, his senior season has been plagued with injuries and inconsistent play. Looking at his 2009 film, Ponder is a future franchise QB, but NFL teams must gamble on Ponder reverting to his former self.
7. Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State
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The Low Down: Pryor is a tremendous athlete who can run by you, over you or around you. He also has a pretty dang good arm. With the solid play of Michael Vick and Vince Young (both mobile quarterback with questionable accuracy) this season, Pryor's stock will rise.
It is worth noting that Pryor has said he's likely to return to Ohio State next year.
6. Nick Foles, Arizona
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The Low Down: Foles has unnatural accuracy. Think Colt McCoy when you wonder what type of quarterback Nick Foles is and could be in the NFL. Doubters point out that he plays in a favorable system that inflates his stats. So did Sam Bradford.
Foles is only a junior, so there's a good chance he'll return to Arizona next fall.
5. Blaine Gabbert, Missouri
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The Low Down: Gabbert is a threat to run or pass on any given play. Like many Missouri quarterbacks before him, Gabbert is a very good runner. Where he's better than Brad Smith or Chase Daniel is that Blaine is a complete passer too. He has the size Daniel lacks and the accuracy Smith never had.
The chances of Gabbert entering the 2011 NFL Draft are not great, but he is a potential first rounder if he does decide to leave Mizzou.
4. Cam Newton, Auburn
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The Low Down: Let the arguments begin. Cam Newton is as polarizing a player as we can remember. We recently called him "part Vince Young, part Tim Tebow, part Mike Vick". And we mean it. Newton is no where near ready to play in the NFL right now, but after being given time to develop as a passer his athletic ability will be hard to keep off the field.
Allegations surround Newton taking money to enroll at Auburn will surround the player throughout the off-season, but it will also push Newton to leave school for the NFL. His eligibility is already in question and reports indicate he will leave Auburn after the season.
3. Jake Locker, Washington
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The Low Down: Jake Locker's name has been at the top of scout's draft boards for a few seasons now. While many projected him to be the top player chosen in the 2011 Draft, Locker's senior season has many pushing him down the board. A lack of accuracy and poor decision making skills will keep Locker from the #1 overall pick, and maybe the first round.
2. Ryan Mallett, Arkansas
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The Low Down: There's not much to complain about with Mallett. He has the big arm, great touch on his throws and accuracy to put the ball anywhere he wants. The only concern we've found is that Mallett hasn't started as many games as other quarterbacks. That statistic matters more to some than others. What we like is Mallett finds a way to always put his time in position to win.
Mallett will be a first round draft choice when he does decide to enter.
1. Andrew Luck, Stanford
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The Low Down: This should be no surprise, our having Luck as #1. The only thing that could keep Luck from being the first passer off the board in 2011 is if he decides to stay at Stanford, which is looking less likely every week.
Luck has it all. Arm strength. Accuracy. Production. Mechanics. Leadership. He is the best quarterback prospect to come out of the PAC-10 in a long time.
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