2011 NFL Draft: Who Will Draft the Top Five Quarterbacks?
Entering the 2011 NFL draft, many teams are in a need of a quarterback—whether its the quarterback of the future, needs a back-up, or simply needs a quarterback as soon as possible.
NFL fans are all well-aware of the top prospects Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert, but prospects like Jake Locker and Ryan Mallet go unnoticed.
At least seven quarterbacks will be selected this draft, but it's a question on where these passers will go.
Everyone is well aware that the quarterback is the most important position in football and that a team's success lays on the quarterback's shoulders—it's essential that teams select the right quarterback for their offensive system and franchise
Here, I have listed the top five quarterbacks entering the draft and I will be predicting where these youngsters will be suiting up next season.
NOTE: This article was first seen at PatriotsPlus.net. Be sure to follow Tony Santorsa on Twitter @ TonySantorsa.
5. Ryan Mallett, Arkansas
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Predicted team: Tennessee Titans
Other possible suitors: Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, and Washington Redskins.
The former Arkansas quarterback, Ryan Mallett was once rated as the 2011 draft class' top quarterback prospect.
Mallett is most notable for his huge arm and his ability to make all of the NFL throws. According to many scouts and experts, Mallett has the strongest arm since LSU's JaMarcus Russell.
The last two seasons at Arkansas, Mallett was effective and impressive. He threw 30 touchdowns in 2009 and 32 in 2010, while racking up a total of 8385 yards in his three-year career at Arkansas.
The major knock against Mallett is his questionable accuracy—his career completion percentage is only 57.8 percent.
Mallett has all the intangibles, it will just take some time for him to develop into a NFL quarterback.
4. Christian Ponder, Florida State
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Predicted team: Washington Redskins.
Other possible suitors: Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, and Arizona Cardinals.
Christian Ponder played his four-year collegiate career at Florida State and started his last three seasons.
His best season was his senior year. Despite being injured for two games, he threw 20 touchdowns and completed 61.5 percent of his passes.
However, his junior year wasn't so shabby either. He completed an impressive 68.8 percent of his passes and threw 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Playing at FSU, Ponder didn't have to throw a lot, which is a major concern in his development.
Ponder is an extremely smart quarterback and graduated with a 3.7 GPA.
When he's at his best, he's throwing intermediate passes in between the numbers. Ponder needs to improve on his accuracy when throwing more than 25 yards.
3. Jake Locker, Washington
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Predicted team: Seattle Seahawks
Other possible suitors: San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins and the Minnesota Vikings.
Washington's Jake Locker was a four-year starter during his time as a Husky
When recruited, Locker was a highly regarded prospect and was once projected as the first overall pick. However, his stock has fallen since then.
Locker's major concern and it's a big one, is his accuracy. During his time at Washington, he was just so inconsistent...he completed only 53.9 percent of his passes.
At times, Locker will go from a Hesiman Trophy caliber player to looking like he hasn't played quarterback in his life.
Locker has all the intangibles to succeed at the next level, it's just a matter of accuracy.
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2. Blaine Gabbert, Missouri
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Predicted team: Carolina Panthers.
Other possible suitors: Arizona Cardinals and the Cincinnati Bengals.
Many scouts and experts have Blaine Gabbert as their top rated quarterback, but I don't.
Gabbert will likely be selected first overall by the Carolina Panthers, as he's the "safer" pick out of him or Auburn's Cam Newton.
The way I like to describe Gabbert is the more mobile version of Drew Bledsoe.
Gabbert has an extremely quick release and can make all of the NFL throws. He's an extremely intelligent quarterback, and will have no problem adjusting from the spread offense to a pro-style offense.
The major knocks against Gabbert is that he's very streaky—when he's on, he's and when he's off, he is just awful. Also, when Gabbert is under pressure, his footwork is really poor and he crumbles when the pocket collapses. Once he is on the move, he throws off-balance, which results in very inaccurate passes.
1. Cam Newton, Auburn
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Predicted team: Buffalo Bills.
Other possible suitors: Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals and the Cincinnati Bengals.
Auburn's Cam Newton has the most freakish skill set out of a quarterback that I have ever seen.
Newton is built like a linebacker, standing in at 6'5" and weighting 250 lbs. He's as fast a running back with a 4.59 forty-yard dash and he can throw like a big-time quarterback.
Newton is by far the more flashy choice for the top quarterback in the draft.
The most impressive attribute regarding Newton is his absolutely huge arm and his amazing strength in his entire body.
The major weakness and question mark on Newton is that he played in a spread-option style offense at Auburn. Most of his passes were short and nearly every single play is a shotgun play at Auburn.
Newton is a developmental project, but if he is developed correctly, he might end up as the most unique quarterback of our time.
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