2011 NFL Draft: Landing Places for Cam Newton and the Top 5 Quarterbacks

The 2011 crop of quarterbacks entering the draft is considered by many to be weak. There is no Sam Bradford, Matt Ryan, Matthew Stafford, etc., who is slated to be taken in the top three.

Even so, there are a number of quarterbacks, some deep in the draft, who will likely develop into NFL starters.

Quarterback is a huge glaring need for teams at the top of the draft. While it is unclear if any quarterback warrants a selection in top 10, at least one of he quarterbacks landing in the top 10 is inevitable.

Let's take a look at the landing places for the top five quarterbacks in the draft.

No. 5: Colin Kaepernick, Minnesota Vikings, Round 2 Pick 11

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 09: Colin Kaepernick #10 of the Nevada Wolf Pack looks to pass the ball against Boston College during the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl at AT&T Park on January 9, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Colin Kaepernick is going to have to adjust to an NFL offense after operating out of the pistol in Nevada.

Minnesota is the perfect place for Kaepernick to get his start.

While Minnesota will likely pick up a free agent to ease Kaepernick into the lineup, he could develop for the next few years while, say, Donovan McNabb plays out the rest of his career.

Kaepernick has the ability to run and extend plays with his legs. With the repertoire of targets the Vikings have, along with the best running back in the NFL, Kaepernick could make the Vikings offense dangerous once again.

No. 4: Ryan Mallett, Cincinnati Bengals, Round 2, Pick 3

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks looks to pass against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Matthew

Ryan Mallett has the biggest arm in this draft.

He has a laser and elite size that could propel him into this spot. He has character questions, but those have never been a problem in Cincinnati. At 6'7", he could be the next pocket passer in Cincy.

The Bengals are in a debacle. Carson Palmer demanded to be traded, saying he would rather retire than play another season with the Bengals. With both of their top receivers likely vacating as well, they are going to need to begin to rebuild.

Drafting A.J. Green in the first round and Ryan Mallett in the second would be a defining draft for the next generation of the Cincinnati Bengals.

No. 3: Jake Locker, Seattle Seahawks, Round 1, Pick 25

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EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 6: Injured quarterback Jake Locker #10 of the Washington Huskies watches the action from the bench in the third quarter of the game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on November 6, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. The Ducks won the g

It is hard to see the Seahawks passing on Jake Locker in the first round.

Locker could provide an excellent transition away from the Matt Hasselbeck era. Pete Carroll saw firsthand what Locker is capable of, having faced him in the Pac-10 when Carroll coached at USC.

Locker is right in their backyard and quarterback is going to be a glaring need for the Seahawks in the near future. Cam Newton may have overshadowed Locker's dual-threat capabilities, but Washington natives know all too well what he can do with his legs and arm.

He is a project, as his feet aren't quite there yet, which has adverse effects on his accuracy. One or two years behind Hasselbeck will be great for Locker.

No. 2: Cam Newton, Washington Redskins, Round 1, Pick 10

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Quarterback Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates the Tigers 22-19 victory against the Oregon Ducks in the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Ar

Cam Newton is a self-proclaimed icon and entertainer. He is dynamic and explosive. A National Championship-winning quarterback and one of the greatest college football players of all time.

A Heisman trophy winner, the best dual-threat quarterback in the draft and a showman, Newton is the highest profile guy in the draft.

Newton might be the first pick in the draft. The farthest I see him sliding is also where I have him landing, right here with the Redskins.

The Redskins clearly didn't get what they were looking for with Donovan McNabb, so bringing in the next big thing to Washington D.C. is important.

The Redskins need to bring in a guy who can bring something explosive immediately. Newton needs some work in breaking down defenses and going through his progressions, but some on-the-job learning may be required.

No. 1: Blaine Gabbert, Arizona Cardinals, Round 1, Pick 5

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TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Blaine Gabbert #11 of the Missouri Tigers drops back to pass during the Insight Bowl against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. The Hawkeyes defeated the Tigers 27-24. (P

The Arizona Cardinals have the worst quarterback situation in the NFL.

They started more quarterbacks in 2010 than any other team and not one of them showed they deserve a spot on an NFL roster. The Cardinals may need to let need trump talent at this spot.

Blaine Gabbert is the best option for the Arizona offense, but he doesn't warrant a fifth overall pick. Even so, Gabbert is unlikely to make it past Carolina, Buffalo, Cincinnati and Arizona. All four of those teams need a quarterback.

Should Gabbert slide to No. 5, the Cardinals are almost obligated to take him. This season is a last-ditch effort to secure Larry Fitzgerald long term. Going defense and putting quarterback on the back burner is not a wise move.

If the Cardinals believe he can be a solid quarterback in the league, they have to bite the bullet and take him at No. 5.