2011 NFL Mock Draft: With Andrew Luck Out, Is Blaine Gabbert Top Pick?
With Andrew Luck's decision to return to Stanford for his senior season and complete his degree, Missouri Tigers quarterback Blaine Gabbert could very well be the No. 1 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.
The 2-14 Carolina Panthers have the No. 1 pick and deservedly so, given their horrid record.
But with Luck out of the picture, will they take the next best thing at QB or will they address other areas?
Luck's decision probably came as a shock to the Panthers. Will the decision stun them so much that they fumble in the draft, unaware of where they are?
I kid, but Luck's decision has certainly turned a lot of heads.
Panthers fans must be thinking—what else can go wrong in Carolina?
So, with Luck's return to Stanford, will Blaine Gabbert be the top pick in the 2011 NFL Draft?
5. Yes: He's the Best QB on the Board
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When Blaine Gabbert declared for the NFL Draft, he was instantly thrust past Arkansas' Ryan Mallett and Auburn's Cameron Newton in most experts' eyes.
With Luck out of the draft, he now could be called the No. 1 QB in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Given the Panthers' dire need for a QB, it would come as no shock for them to select the one who is generally considered the No. 1 QB on the board, Blaine Gabbert.
The Panthers are so undecided at quarterback that they have five QBs on their roster.
5. No: Ryan Mallett/Cam Newton
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Sure, most experts are projecting Gabbert as the No. 1 QB selected now, but it's not a stretch to see Ryan Mallett or Cam Newton selected by the Panthers.
If Newton dominates in the BCS Championship Game against the No. 2 Oregon Ducks, who knows what those crazy Panthers will do?
These guys have been considered top talents for a while now and that hasn't changed.
4. Yes: He's the Most NFL-Ready QB
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If the Carolina Panthers are going to change their losing ways fast, they are probably going to want the most NFL-ready quarterback out there.
Gabbert is widely considered the most NFL-ready QB on the board.
The less learning their QB of the future has to do, the better for the Panthers.
They need someone like St. Louis' Sam Bradford to come in and excel, despite being on a bad team.
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4. No: The Panthers Go With Top Cornerback Patrick Peterson
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Sure, the Panthers were a decent pass defense in 2010, giving up 212 passing yards per game.
But cornerback Richard Marshall will reportedly not be back with the team next season, leaving Chris Gamble (who was last seen in former coach John Fox's doghouse) and Captain Munnerlyn.
They probably won't be good at offense for a couple years, regardless of who they choose at QB, so the defense is going to be on the field a lot.
Having a top cornerback like LSU's Patrick Peterson would not only strengthen the Panthers' pass defense against an onslaught, it might also give them more offensive possessions, with interceptions and such.
Or they could go with Prince Amukamara and have a captain and a prince in their secondary. That would be kinda cool.
3. Yes: Arm Strength
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Blaine Gabbert has an exceptional arm, already NFL-ready.
With someone like Steve Smith to throw to, that can work wonders for the Panthers.
Chuck the ball 60 yards and watch Smith come down with the football.
Then celebrate. Then kick a field goal.
3. No: The Panthers Go With Nick Fairley
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The Carolina Panthers didn't have too much trouble stopping the run overall this season, giving up 3.9 yards per carry.
But they also gave up 20 touchdowns on the ground, second to only the Denver Broncos.
That has a lot to do with not having a top defensive tackle to stuff the run at the goal line.
Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley could most likely do this.
He also had 11 sacks this season, and sacks are always a plus for a defense.
2. Yes: Accuracy
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The Panthers could use an accurate quarterback.
It would be a revelation to them.
The QB with the highest completion percentage this season was Matt Moore—at 55.2 percent.
That's not going to get it done.
Gabbert is considered one of the most accurate passers, from short range to long range, in the 2011 NFL Draft.
He's got receiver Steve Smith to give him some leeway, but he's most likely going have to throw the ball into the arms of Carolina's other receivers.
2. No: He Lost To an Undermanned Iowa Team
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Not only did Blaine Gabbert lose to an undermanned team embroiled in controversy in the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Insight Bowl, he threw the interception that sealed the game.
His interception was returned for 72 yards and a touchdown by Iowa's Micah Hyde with 5:32 remaining to put the Hawkeyes up 27-24.
The score stood and No. 12 Missouri lost to unranked Iowa.
Although Gabbert had an overall good game, that's not exactly the best way to enter the NFL Draft.
1. Yes: Mechanics
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While players think "Practice, practice, practice" makes perfect, NFL scouts think "Mechanics, mechanics, mechanics" makes a perfect QB.
Good mechanics is one of the most important tools a quarterback can have to translate his skills to the next level.
Blaine Gabbert undeniably has the mechanics that can translate well at the NFL level.
He also has a very quick release, which will come in handy given the Panthers have given up the second most sacks in the NFL this season with 50.
1. No: Decision Making
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One of the questionable aspects of Blaine Gabbert as an NFL QB is his decision making.
Some interceptions he's thrown this season have been poor decisions, as pocket pressure seems to rattle him a bit.
With his accuracy, he can also tend to try to fit a football into a window the size of a, well, football.
He's going to see a whole different level of pocket pressure in the NFL, especially with the Panthers' offensive line.
The question is, will he learn not to force throws—and can he handle the pressure?
Conclusion
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I expect Blaine Gabbert to be the No. 1 pick of the 2011 NFL Draft.
Despite other clear deficiencies on a 2-14 Panthers team, quarterback is their No. 1 priority.
You rarely can win without a good quarterback, that's why it's widely considered the most important position in the NFL.
Although the Panthers have to be disappointed in Andrew Luck not declaring for the draft, Gabbert is the next best thing and will most likely be worlds better than anyone they plug into their QB spot these days.
Did Gabbert know Luck wasn't going to declare?
Regardless, he just struck gold.
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