NFL Combine 2011: Could Colin Kaepernick Really Become a First-Round Pick?

Without question, one of the biggest rises in the draft process from shortly after the season through the Senior Bowl and just days before the combine is Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

He's gone from developmental late-round guy during the season to improved passer and a mid-round intriguing prospect. He's now gone from mid-round prospect to highly coveted early-rounder thanks to his very impressive skill set, and now there are reports he might not make it past pick 32.

But is a spread offense, footwork in progress, throwing motion that's not NFL-ready, not overly accurate quarterback really worth a first-round pick? There are a few things to consider.

For one, NFL teams will always choose talent and potential over a guy who's a lock to be a role player. In my opinion, a quarterback like Greg McElroy will always have a role in the NFL as a backup, and I think Jake Locker and Pat Devlin are the most pro-ready technique-wise. But having a quarterback with his size (6'4") and his rocket arm strength (likely only behind Cam Newton and maybe Ryan Mallett in this draft) is hard to pass up for NFL teams.

Secondly, a lot of teams need a quarterback. As many as 10 teams are in need of a franchise quarterback and come draft day, when a team is choosing between a 3-4 defensive end, a right tackle or an outside linebacker and a possible face of the franchise, they likely will look to the quarterback.

And finally, the CBA struggles will have a huge impact on the draft. Sure, guys like Carson Palmer and Donovan McNabb are available and still can be capable starters in the NFL for at least two to three more years. But those free agents can't be signed until AFTER a new CBA is signed.

Are NFL teams really going to gamble that much on not drafting a quarterback, risking their current quarterback situation?

All that being said, I would be wary of Kaepernick being a first-round pick as of now, pre-Combine. Could he wow enough to become one of the draft's top two to three quarterbacks? Very possible.

Could he be a better starting quarterback in the NFL than Blaine Gabbert, Jake Locker and Cam Newton, the three quarterbacks that we (OptimumScouting.com) have above him? Again, it's very possible, and in speaking with him I really do wish that he gets close to, if not accomplishing, that goal.

The three things that will have some teams jawing for him late in the first round are his arm strength, his quick development over his career and his overall "it" factor.

A rocket arm has not started to become the end all, be all for quarterbacks, but it's naive to overlook that aspect. He shortened his throwing motion and was quicker in his drops at the Senior Bowl since his last game at Nevada, showing he is very coachable.

And when you're around him, speaking with him and the people he's been with, you can tell he's a leader, a student of the game and a winner.

With all those factors, I could see teams like the Titans, Dolphins, Bills, Vikings, Bengals, Jaguars and Seahawks being very interested in him as they either stay put, trade down or trade up in the draft late in Round One to get him.

Ideally, if he's a second-round pick, there will be drastically less pressure for him to play early, and therefore gives him a chance to adapt better.

But, as we've seen in the past, when NFL teams think a guy can be a starter in the NFL in the future, they want that future to be tomorrow. And with so much interest, so many teams in need of a quarterback and so much riding on the quarterback position with an in-the-air CBA, Colin Kaepernick could be a hot commodity on draft day late in the first round.

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