NFL Draft: Is Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert a Sure-Fire NFL Bust?

Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert was perhaps the most talented QB at the college level last season. He has the size and rocket arm NFL scouts dream about. He possesses all the physical attributes to be a phenomenal signal-caller.

Having the skills and playing up to potential, however, are two vastly different things.

Given his talent level, he is expected to produce results on the field.

Despite this lack of production, nobody’s stock has shot up draft boards faster as of late than Gabbert’s.

After having a very pedestrian season as a junior, Gabbert decided to forgo his final year of eligibility as a Tiger and enter the NFL Draft.

Upon declaring, the 6-foot-5 signal-caller was projected by most as the second-best quarterback, trailing only Andrew Luck.

Luck’s decision to stay in school catapulted Gabbert up mock draft boards, and SI’s Peter King went as far as to say he will be the first overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Yes, someone who threw eight fewer touchdowns and 400 less yards during his junior year than his sophomore year, despite experiencing better health, is in consideration to be the top overall pick.

Possibly never before has a player received more praise for doing less in a collegiate career.

By all means, Gabbert had a solid collegiate career, throwing 40 touchdowns compared to 18 interceptions, while his Missouri Tigers complied an 18-8 record (0-2 in bowls) in games he started.

These numbers are not awful by any standards, but they fell far short of expectations for the former blue-chip recruit who filled Chase Daniel’s shoes.

Gabbert was supposed to build on his success as a sophomore and carry the Tigers this past season, while possibly putting himself in the Heisman discussion.

Instead, he regressed, and was never once mentioned in any Heisman talks.

People credit Missouri’s success the last two seasons to Gabbert, stating he carried a team that was not very talented.

This is simply not true.

The Tiger defense finished sixth in the nation in points allowed. That unit, not the under-performing offense, carried last year’s squad.

During Gabbert’s sophomore campaign, RB Derrick Washington helped carry the load for the Tigers offense, scoring ten times.

There was nothing mediocre about Missouri’s supporting cast.

The Tigers started off the season with seven straight wins, until disappointing losses on the road to Nebraska and Texas Tech doomed their BCS aspirations.

Gabbert justified the high praise in games against Texas A&M and Oklahoma, but followed those performances with two absolute head scratchers. 

Gabbert struggled against an aggressive Nebraska defense, completing just 18 of 42 passes for under 200 yards. 

He did, however, display his toughness, as he took multiple blows to the head that were wrongfully not flagged.

One certainty about Gabbert is that he is one tough cookie. He played half of his sophomore season with a high-ankle sprain, and played at a high level.

He took plenty of hits this past season, and remained out on the field. He is both physically and mentally tough, characteristics NFL quarterbacks need. Isn’t that right, Jay Cutler?

That having been said, for all of his toughness, his on-field play was frustrating for Missouri fans to watch.

In the loss to Texas Tech, against a horrendous defense, Gabbert compiled a stat line of 12-for-30 for just 95 yards.

Yet he is considered a top-five pick? This just doesn’t add up.

Jake Locker is being crucified for his statistics. Why isn’t Blaine receiving similar criticism?

Locker runs a 4.4 forty and played in a pro-style offense, not the spread-offense Gabbert played in. Locker should be receiving much more praise while Gabbert supporters cannot continue to turn a blind-eye to his glaring weaknesses.

Big players make plays when the game is on the line. In the Insight Bowl, Gabbert made one of the worst throws you will ever see from a quarterback, which essentially negated all of the positives he displayed earlier in the game. His lack of hustle after throwing the interception also left a lot to be desired.

Yes, he is an extremely talented player—quite possibly the most talented Missouri Tiger ever. He has the entire set of physical tools NFL scouts dream about, and coaches and teammates swear by his work ethic.

If this really is the case, he under-achieved mightily during his collegiate career.

Returning to school for his senior season would have allowed him to polish his skills, work out the kinks, and possibly lead Mizzou to its first-ever BCS appearance.

Instead, NFL scouts are lauding the inconsistent thrower who possesses minimal pocket presence as the next big thing.

As a fellow Missouri Tiger, I hope to see Gabbert succeed and do big things at the next level, but that does not mean I necessarily expect that to happen.