2011 NFL Draft: Top 10 QBs and Their NFL Counterparts
The examinations are about to get even more detailed for many college quarterbacks.
With the Senior Bowl looming this week, annual Pro Day workouts at numerous college campuses, plus the NFL combine, quarterbacks are going to have more opportunities to improve their stocks for the NFL Draft in April.
No one argues about who stands out in this class of quarterbacks: Ryan Mallett, Blaine Gabbert, Cam Newton and Jake Locker are considered to be the best-of-the-best. But who are their NFL counterparts? I seriously can't help but laugh when draft "experts" throw out names of NFL legends who college players "remind them of." I'm not about to do that. It's ridiculous and a waste of time.
I think you can spot similar skills and abilities to draw comparisons, though. Here's a look at the top 10 quarterbacks and their counterparts:
10. Pat Devlin, Delaware
1 of 10
Devlin (6'4'', 220 lbs), pictured here when he was still with Penn State, transferred to Delaware, where he completed 261 of 384 passes, with three interceptions, for 3,032 yards and 22 touchdowns. Delaware's offense averaged nearly 28 points and 402 total yards per game.
I remember seeing Devlin play in person briefly at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, and I liked how composed he was and his field vision. In games like those, though, players get in briefly and you don't get to see all their skills over four quarters.
Counterpart: Joe Flacco, Delaware. Hey, let's make it easy. Flacco went to school here, too, and the comparisons are already being made by other draft experts.
9. Nathan Enderle, Idaho
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The draft always has that one unknown prospect who rockets up the boards and is projected as a high pick. Enderle (6'5", 240) is this year's name on most projections.
Scour around for information, and most like his accuracy, decision making and ability to run a pro-style offense. Last season, Enderle completed 57 percent of his passes for 3,314 yards and 22 touchdowns. He had a quarterback rating of 123.4, and Idaho was 10th nationally in passing at just under 299 yards per game.
Counterpart: Matt Schaub, Houston. Schaub is the exact same size, isn't flashy and has proven he can put up huge numbers.
8. Colin Kaepernick, Nevada
3 of 10
I first watched Kaepernick (6'4'', 225 lbs) early on in his college career when he almost took down Boise State. I know some football elitists will dismiss him cause he's from a non-BCS school, but that's straight up foolish.
In 2009, he became the 10th quarterback in NCAA history to have back-to-back 1,000 yard rushing seasons, and just the second to have consecutive seasons with 2,000 yards passing and 1,000 rushing. Luckily, most NFL executives won't be blinded by conference affiliation when they see him in person. NFL people know playmakers when they see them.
Counterpart: Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay. Both are about the same size. Freeman (6'6'', 248), like Kaepernick, can stretch the field, has a big arm and both are great leaders.
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7. Ricky Stanzi, Iowa
4 of 10
Stanzi (6'4'', 221 lbs) has the ability to put up big numbers, but he is prone to getting sacked (64 total sacks in three years). He did finish his career, though, with highs in yards (3,004), completion percentage (64.1) and touchdown passes (25).
Counterpart: Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle. Hasselbeck (6'4'', 225) is roughly the same size, and like Stanzi is a smart player who knows how to manage a game.
6. Jake Locker, Washington
5 of 10
I've watched Locker (6'2'', 228) over the years when he was with the Huskies. At times, he's freakishly good, and at other times I've been left scratching my head thinking, "Eh, not that impressed." He's probably the most debated quarterback in this group. Many say he has first-round tools, and others like myself aren't drinking the Kool Aid.
Counterpart: Jake Delhomme, Cleveland. I think the situation is comparable. Delhomme for years had to sit as a backup in New Orleans, but kept developing and when the time was right, you saw what happened when he became a starter in Carolina.
(Update: This is the one player that the readers and myself have had a hard time really comparing. I agree that he does have some similarities to Jay Cutler, but then the thought just hit me—former Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks. Both have the same kind of arm, both can run a little and make plays, but their decision making at times leaves you scratching your head. What do you think? Join in below.)
5. Andy Dalton, TCU
6 of 10
Like Kaepernick, Dalton (6'2'', 213 lbs) is going to be discounted and knocked because he's from the Mountain West. And once again, I'd say it's simple ignorance. I watched Dalton in person from the time he started as a true freshman, and saw someone who kept developing, kept making plays and always seemed composed no matter the situation.
Counterpart: Drew Brees, New Orleans. Like Dalton, Brees was considered undersized, but both are extremely intelligent, hard-working quarterbacks who make smart decisions and are proven winners. Dalton may even be a better runner.
4. Christian Ponder, Florida State
7 of 10
Word is that the Seminoles quarterback has been impressive so far in Senior Bowl practices. That's not a shock. Ponder (6'2'', 222 lbs) is one of the smartest players in this draft, and he finished out his college career as one of Florida State's top passers.
Counterpart: If you're talking smarts, arm strength, accuracy and desire to win, you could draw comparisons with Peyton Manning. And while he doesn't possess the same pizazz and maneuverability, Ponder's always been a great runner and is elusive like Donovan McNabb.
3. Cam Newton, Auburn
8 of 10
He's got all the tools and the freakish God-given talent you can ask for, but I want to see Newton (6'6'', 246) be able to call audibles at the line, read defenses and not just rely on his size to make plays. He needs a little fine-tuning, and I think could also benefit by being tutored by a solid vet who could mentor him.
Counterpart: He's got Ben Roethlisberger's size, and Michael Vick's skills.
2. Blaine Gabbert, Missouri
9 of 10
I saw Gabbert (6'5'', 240 lbs) in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and loved his size and arm strength. He replaced Chase Daniel at Missouri, and gave the Tigers a completely different kind of quarterback. Many draft boards have him as the top quarterback going in the draft, and others have him going around the 10th pick, possibly to Washington.
Counterpart: Philip Rivers, San Diego. Rivers (6'5'', 228 lbs) is the same size, has the same kind of arm and both can take over games.
1. Ryan Mallett, Arkansas
10 of 10
I keep having these arguments with many of you who want to discount Mallett as if he put up numbers in the Sun Belt, or that he's a slow dummy who won't be able to run a pro offense.
Think about this for a second: First off, he's become one of Arkansas' all-time leading passers in a pro offense. To put up the numbers he has in the nation's best conference, against the most physical defenses in the nation, is going to take some intelligence. I'm not saying he'll be the first quarterback taken, but he's not Ryan Leaf, either.
Counterpart: Jay Cutler, Chicago. Both aren't exactly the most mobile quarterbacks, and can get sacked. Cutler had 52 this year, and Mallett finished with 25. But if they're comfortable in the pocket, both are deadly accurate and can pick apart defenses with ease.
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