NFL Mock Draft: No Andrew Luck? Blaine Gabbert and the Top 10 QBs for 2011 Draft
Andrew Luck's decision to return to Stanford shook up the entire 2011 NFL Draft.
Instead of having a sure-fire No. 1 pick, there are now several different ways the Carolina Panthers can choose to handle their situation.
They could trade down and try to get two first-round picks, but that seems doubtful.
They could go with DT Nick Fairley from Auburn, WR A.J. Green of Georgia, or they could stick to their QB plan and draft Blaine Gabbert of Missouri with their No. 1 overall pick.
Whatever happens, it will be interesting to watch.
But, with no Luck, who are the best 10 quarterbacks in this year's draft? Check it out here.
10. Greg McElroy, Alabama
1 of 10
McElroy led the Alabama Crimson Tide to a BCS National Championship in 2010.
He's also one of the smartest quarterbacks in all of college football.
What he lacks in pure athleticism, he makes up for with smart decisions and good execution.
He won't be a star in the NFL, but he could be a pretty great backup QB.
9. Ricky Stanzi, Iowa
2 of 10
It's hard to tell how well Stanzi will do in the NFL.
The offensive system at Iowa doesn't lend itself to a lot of passing yards for QBs.
Stanzi has also shown poor decision making at times, and throws too many interceptions.
But, if he can work on his progressions, he could turn into a decent QB.
8. Andy Dalton, TCU
3 of 10
Dalton led the Horned Frogs to a perfect season this year, including a Rose Bowl victory over the Wisconsin Badgers.
He ranks highly in terms of leadership, but lacks the overall size and strength needed to be a great overall quarterback.
Not every short quarterback is the next Drew Brees.
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7. Pat Devlin, Delaware
4 of 10
The transfer quarterback from Penn State led Delaware to a great season in 2010.
His height and weight are ideal for an NFL quarterback, and he certainly has a strong enough arm to survive.
But, his biggest concern is how he will handle NFL defenses.
Let's face it, the teams Delaware plays simply don't compare to the teams he'll face in the NFL. It's like going from tee ball straight to the Major Leagues.
6. Tyrod Taylor, Virginia Tech
5 of 10
Like every dual-threat quarterback who wants to make it in the NFL, Taylor will need to work on his pocket presence.
Most quarterbacks who can run end up becoming run-first, pass-second quarterbacks.
But Virginia Tech is where Michael Vick went to school, so maybe he'd be willing to work with Taylor and teach him how to become a great dual-threat NFL quarterback.
5. Christian Ponder, Florida State
6 of 10
Ponder has great skills and leadership, but his size and durability are big concerns.
He's a small guy with a history of injuries that might scare away some NFL teams.
But, if he can stay healthy, Ponder has the skill set he'll need to become a decent NFL quarterback.
4. Jake Locker, Washington
7 of 10
Andrew Luck had better hope he goes the Sam Bradford route by returning to school and not the Jake Locker route.
Locker probably would have been the No. 1 overall pick had he entered the draft last season, but he returned to Washington for a dismal senior season.
Now, he'll be lucky if he gets drafted in the first round of the 2011 draft.
3. Cam Newton, Auburn
8 of 10
Cam Newton reminds me of Daunte Culpepper: a big QB who can scramble when necessary. And it's probable that the Minnesota Vikings will be in a position to draft Newton.
It'll be interesting to see if they draft him and hope for more seasons like Culpepper's 2003 and 2004 seasons and less of his 2002 and 2005 seasons.
2. Ryan Mallett, Arkansas
9 of 10
Mallett has the best arm in the 2011 draft by far. He can make any throw on the football field.
But, if you can get him pressured, he has trouble avoiding pressure in the pocket and still getting off good throws.
He'll be drafted in the first round, but he'll need to work on avoiding pressure.
1. Blaine Gabbert, Missouri
10 of 10
Gabbert needs to work on his pocket presence. At the first sign of pressure, he bails out of the pocket and often runs right into a sack.
He needs to trust his linemen more and stand tall in the pocket.
The problem might be that he's afraid to get hit. If that's the case, he won't make it far in the NFL. But, if he can be coached to stay in the pocket, he'll be the best QB of the 2011 draft class.
Going to the Panthers might be ideal for him. Carolina has a strong running game, Steve Smith and a decent offensive line anchored by Jordan Gross.
He could step in and immediately succeed in a place like Carolina.
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