NFL Draft 2011 Rumors: Blaine Gabbert, Cam Newton, A.J. Green and Draft Rumors
With Andrew Luck officially out of the 2011 NFL Draft pool, Blaine Gabbert is set to rise. Gabbert, who didn't have a great statistical season at Missouri is largely believed to be the biggest beneficiary of Luck staying in school.
But will he rise all the way to the No. 1 pick? Find out in the slides to come.
And what about other underclassmen who have the difficult decision of going pro or returning to school? That's also covered.
This is the time of the year where speculation about the draft runs rampant. Experts make mock drafts based on the assumption that everyone is coming out, but that is hardly the case. There are so many factors to take into consideration when doing a mock draft it can cause a headache.
Instead of another mock draft here's some plain and simple NFL draft chatter.
Ryan Mallett Goes Pro, Where Does He Land?
1 of 10
On paper Mallett looks like the best prospect in the draft. At 6'6" Mallett has the size and physical tools to make it at the next level along with impressive stats he racked up in the tough SEC. But everyone's last image of Mallett will be the Sugar Bowl when he threw an interception to end the game.
There are also questions being raised about his character and his intangibles on the football field. Not to mention at times Mallett has struggled immensely with accuracy as evidenced in the Sugar Bowl.
Arkansas receivers didn't help Mallett out in the Sugar Bowl by dropping some pinpoint passes, but there were quite a few throws that he made that didn't give his receivers a chance to make a play.
Right now, Mallett looks like a lock to land in the first round; where exactly in the first round is the question.
His physical tools will impress many at the combine, but it will be his character and overall demeanor that will ultimately determine how high he will rise or fall.
A team to keep an eye on with Mallett is the Minnesota Vikings.
Will A.J. Green Declare?
2 of 10
Yes, Green will go pro. And no that can't be confirmed from the horse's mouth. But as we stand Green is the top rated receiver on the board and there isn't anyone who would challenge him if he chooses to declare.
Green's overall athleticism, improved route running and big play ability could ultimately catapult him to the No. 1 pick. There are many who believe that Green is as good of wide receiving prospect as Luck is at QB.
We saw that Luck turned down the NFL to go back to school and earn his college degree. The difference between Green and Luck is that Green doesn't play on a team that will be competing for a national championship next season.
So unless Green wants to turn down big money for a chance to play on a middling team in the SEC for another year, he's as good as gone.
What About Cam Newton?
3 of 10
Newton will have one last chance to improve his NFL stock with a big game against Oregon in the BCS National Championship next week.
It's largely believed that Newton will enter the draft after Monday's game, especially considering he couldn't have possibly had a better year than he did this season.
Outside of the off the field troubles Newton's had, on the field he's done everything possible to prove to scouts he has a chance of being a productive NFL QB.
While it's hard to gauge where Newton would go in the draft some believe he has the ability to be the No. 1 pick. Others feel he's not worthy of a first round selection.
Tim Tebow was one of the most debated prospects ever, and if Newton does indeed declare, the debate regarding Newton's pro prospects could be even more debated than Tebow's.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Da'Quan Bowers or Nick Fairley?
4 of 10
If Da'Quan Bowers chooses to declare for the draft and forgo his senior season at Clemson, he will be battling Nick Fairley for the "first defensive player chosen" crown.
Fairley is a defensive tackle, who has been an absolute monster for Auburn this season. On the other side Bowers had a terrific junior season in which he racked up 16 sacks. Bowers showed off his pass rushing skills at Clemson and looks like a surefire stud at the NFL level.
What could give Bowers an edge is Fairley's character issues he's had in the past and his reputation as a dirty player on the field. If Fairley keeps his head on straight he's going to be a very good pro, but when comparing the two, Bowers feels like the smarter pick.
What Will Robert Quinn Do?
5 of 10
Quinn was ruled ineligible for his junior season after lying to investigators about receiving jewelry and travel accommodations.
If Quinn played this past season he easily would have gone in the top 10. But after not playing competitive football for a year it's hard to say where he'll land.
Based on potential Quinn is a top five defensive player in the draft, but a poor combine could ultimately doom his stock seeing as he missed all of last year.
Quinn could choose to return to North Carolina for his senior season and prove his worth once again on the football field.
But if he doesn't return, he'll need to get in shape and have an impressive combine to become a high draft pick.
Will Terrelle Pryor Keep His Promise To Jim Tressel and Return?
6 of 10
Before the Sugar Bowl it was reported that Pryor and the four other juniors suspended for the first five games of next season would return to Ohio State for another season. Tressel made a deal with the juniors that if they wanted to play in the Sugar Bowl they would have to commit to coming back for another year.
But will Pryor really turn down the NFL and sit out five games next season?
That's a question that's hard to answer. Pryor wouldn't have a chance at the Heisman and by the time he's eligible to get back on the field, Ohio State's national title hopes could already be gone.
One thing the Buckeye faithful have going for them is that Pryor is far from a finished product, he would greatly benefit from another year in college.
But with the potential he has it may be hard for him to turn down the money he would get in the NFL. Pryor's decision will probably take close to the January 15th deadline.
Player From Small School Who Could Surprise
7 of 10
Jerrel Jernigan out of Troy University is a speedy receiver who has a chance to surprise in the combine and in the NFL. At just 5'9" Jernigan doesn't have great size, but he is one of the top senior receivers of the 2011 class.
There have been plenty of small speedy receivers who have made it in the NFL, Steve Smith for example. Jernigan will likely be used as a punt and kickoff returner for whoever drafts him.
Keep an eye on the little guy out of Troy, who will likely land in the second round.
Is Blaine Gabbert The New Favorite To Go No.1?
8 of 10
The Carolina Panthers will have a tough choice with Luck taking his name out of the draft. There are a number of needs the Panthers need to address with QB being one of them.
Of course, Carolina could choose to stick it out with Jimmy Clausen and bring in a veteran QB to compete with him, but that doesn't exactly sound promising.
With Gabbert you have a young QB who has shown leadership skills that are so important in the NFL.
Gabbert's numbers don't compare with other QBs, but he played on a Missouri team that didn't have the talent that other QBs had the luxury of. A strong combine could propel Gabbert into the conversation of being the No. 1 pick.
As of right now he's on the outside looking in, but there certainly will be an opportunity for Gabbert to make his case to be the top pick.
What to Make of Jake Locker
9 of 10
It's hard to imagine how far Locker's fallen in his senior season. Locker could have been the No. 1 pick over Sam Bradford in last year's draft if he would have declared.
Instead Locker decided to come back and did everything in his power to knock himself out of the first round.
We all know Locker possesses great physical tools, but he's looked absolutely atrocious throwing the football at times this season. In two games against Nebraska Locker combined to complete 9-36 passes for 127 yards. Those aren't numbers that you expect from a player who's supposed to be one of the best QBs in the country.
Now the question will turn to how high Locker will rise if he turns in a great combine.
Even if Locker has an impressive combine it will be hard for NFL teams to get over the tape of his last season in Washington. Right now, Locker isn't first round bound.
Who Else Will Challenge for No.1?
10 of 10
A.J. Green:
Carolina needs to add offensive weapons and Green would be a great choice to pair up with Steve Smith. Green would give the Panthers a big physical receiver who has the ability to stretch the field.
While Green's skills cannot be denied, the fact that Carolina invested high picks in David Gettis and Armanti Edwards in last year's draft could keep him from going in the top spot.
Nick Fairley:
Fairley would fill a big need for the Panthers on the interior of the defensive line. With rising star Charles Johnson—11.5 sacks this past season—on the outside Fairley could be a perfect complement on the inside.
As mentioned earlier. Fairley's character issues could be keep him from going this high. But a dominate performance against Oregon may be enough for Carolina to forget those issues.
Da'Quan Bowers:
While Johnson had a breakout season for the Panthers this past season pairing him up with Bowers could form a duo that would make Panther fans forget Julius Peppers. With two pass rushing machines coming off the edge Carolina could mirror themselves in the way Indianapolis has with Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney.
Cam Newton:
With the No. 1 pick you want to get a franchise changing player, and Newton could be that guy for the Panthers. It could take a couple of years, but Newton's superior size, athleticism and strong arm could be enough for Carolina to roll the dice.
Newton reminds many of Vince Young, yet he is an entirely different beast at 6'6" and weighing in at 250 pounds. If Newton's checkered past checks out with the Carolina organization don't be surprised if he goes No. 1.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")