2011 NFL Draft: Minnesota Vikings Top 5 QB Options
The Vikings have the 12th pick in the 2011 NFL draft.
Many of the quarterbacks I'm about to talk about shouldn't be taken with that pick. I believe they should trade down and pick up a third-round pick, then draft a quarterback near the end of the round. I’m not including Blaine Gabbert or Cam Newton in this analysis because I don’t believe either will be there when the Vikings pick at No. 12.
Please remember that most of my analysis is based off how well the quarterback’s numbers translate to a pro-style offense.
The following is a list of the top five QB options in the draft that will fit in the Vikings offense.
5. Ryan Mallett
1 of 6
Ryan Mallett is a huge prospect, and along with that comes a huge ego. But with every ego, comes a chance at greatness.
PROS
-As everyone knows, Ryan Mallett is huge. He has a huge frame, huge arm, huge… well you get the idea.
-Mallett clearly has the most powerful and best arm strength in this draft (including Newton and Gabbert).
-Not only does he have the power behind his throws, but he has the pinpoint accuracy as well. He had 64.7 percent accuracy in 2010.
CONS
-EGO. And on top of that, he has had off-the-field issues. But, so did Michael Vick and Randy Moss. Just saying it’s not everything. The scary part is when it does start translating to on-the-field drama as well (aka Brett Favre).
-Mallett has absolutely no mobility and the worse part is, in interviews he has indicated that he really doesn’t care. Even Favre ran sometimes, Ryan. Eventually, if you can’t move, you will be sacked.
-Mallett had the most sacks in 2010 with 25. And 2009 wasn’t much better with 24.
Overall
I hate to make this comparison to a guy like Mallett, but his style-of-play really reminds me of Tom Brady.
He has that powerful arm and can step back, plant the back foot and launch it. If he is put in the right position with the right team, I literally could be regretting saying the Vikings should not take him.
Because, yes, I do believe Ryan Mallett has the most star potential out of any of the quarterbacks in the draft. However, I would have said the same thing about JaMarcus Russell. If ego gets in the way, and if he doesn’t change his attitude about rushing, he isn’t going anywhere. He needs a tough, no…mean coach and Leslie Frazier is definitely not that type of person.
4. Colin Kaepernick
2 of 6
Colin Kaepernick is a very intriguing prospect. He not only has one of the strongest arms in the draft, but he is an outstanding runner.
PROS
-Kaepernick had more rushing yards in 2010 than any of these quarterbacks. He ran for over 100 yards in five games during the 2010 season.
-He, like Dalton, is one of the older quarterbacks in the draft at 23. I believe experience and maturing comes with age.
-He only threw 13 interceptions in 2009 and 10 in 2010. This is second-best behind Dalton.
-I personally believe he has the second-best arm of the quarterbacks on this list.
CONS
-One of the biggest cons for Kaepernick is that he plays very “raw.” He has a throwing motion that needs some work and stability.
-He runs almost as much as he passes the ball. He needs to be able to step back and make an accurate throw before automatically running out of the pocket.
-Colin doesn’t have a great handle on the ball and often times he will leave it out to be swatted away.
Overall
I think of Colin Kaepernick as a Michael Vick-type.
But Michael Vick was injury-prone during the beginning of his career because he rolled out of the pocket and didn’t protect himself or the football.
I think Kaepernick has to work on passing the ball and not resorting to the run so often or he could end up quickly injured or causing too many turnovers. Like I said, his throwing motion needs some work. I ideally see him sitting behind a quarterback, learning and gaining experience for the first few years.
I think if you start him right away, you’re going to be throwing him to the wolves. But Kaepernick possesses unique skills and an athleticism that are rare. He also has great size and strength.
3. Jake Locker
3 of 6
Jake Locker is not a consistent passer. However, his straight down the middle, crafty running and leadership skills make him a top prospect for the Vikings.
PROS
-Locker has incredible dedication to his team. He came back for his senior season, when he would have been a high first-round pick in 2010.
-He is one of, if not the only quarterback in the draft who can have the pocket collaps around him and run straight up the middle for a 15-20 yard gain. He has a unique ability to sense pressure and escape it.
-Locker turned an average Washington team into bowl contenders for three years straight.
CONS
-Locker has a tendency to “stare down” his targets. This didn’t serve him well in college and I’m afraid it will hurt him even more against pro defenses.
-He is very inconsistent. In four years, Locker never completed better than 60% of his passes. Every other quarterback on the list did, for one or more seasons.
-Shaky passer. Because he’s so run-and-gun, Jake doesn’t always throw off a stable back foot.
-Jake had a disappointing senior season. He was possibly the first pick in the 2010 NFL draft, but he chose to come back and didn’t deliver.
Overall
Jake Locker clearly loves the game of football and can deliver in big-game situations.
His inconsistency is a killer in his game and I believe it will cost him come draft night. Inconsistency is something I don’t think he will or can overcome. He has habits, such as staring down wide receivers, that will be hard to break in the NFL. Also, the running lanes in the NFL will look a bit tighter, which will decapitate another one of his strengths as well.
.png?w=256)
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
2. Andy Dalton
4 of 6
Andy Dalton is a prospect that I go back and forth on. One day I love his style and ability and the next day I don’t believe he is the right choice for the Vikings.
PROS
-Andy led the TCU Horned Frogs to two straight undefeated seasons in both 2009 and 2010. I don’t care what teams you are playing, that impresses me.
-He has won three MVP awards in the four Bowl Games that he has played in.
-He makes great adjustments at the line and is above average at reading defenses.
-Andy has said how much he despises losing. Obviously, by the team’s record the past two seasons, we can assume that his passion for winning is strong.
-Better than you think as a runner. He has good pocket presence and can escape the pocket if needed.
-Only threw 12 interceptions in 2009, and 8 in 2010 (The least of any of these QBs)
CONS
-Throws too many lofty passes. They either sail over the wide receiver’s head or they take way too long to get there. This is okay in college, but if he’s doing this in the NFL than he will surely be intercepted quite often.
-Dalton played in a spread offense throughout his college career. This doesn’t always translate well to the NFL.
-He is 23 years old, which means he has a higher level of maturity and experience.
-He’s consistent. Unfortunately, that word tends to become “average” in the NFL.
Overall
Andy Dalton has the heart and leadership to lead a team at this point. However, he needs to learn how to thread a pass without throwing it up for grabs. The ball needs to get to the wide receiver faster in long-yardage situations. Dalton has some of the best leadership qualities of any of the quarterbacks in the draft. He is also a much better runner than one might think. He doesn’t throw well on the run, which can sometimes cause interceptions.
1. Christian Ponder
5 of 6
I’ve heard that Christian Ponder is the most NFL-ready of any of the quarterbacks in this year’s draft. After studying his film and hearing him speak, I couldn’t agree more.
PROS
-I’m going to harp on this, but Ponder is 23 and overly mature for his age. He speaks with a great understanding of the game.
-Ponder is a very bright guy. He graduated in two and a half years, which I personally can say is a huge accomplishment. (I graduated in three without playing a sport.)
-He has bounced back from multiple injuries to his throwing arm/elbow. He has come back during the same season and been on the mark. He’s had ups and downs and hasn’t missed a beat during his four years.
-He has great consistency. In 2009 he averaged a 68.8 completion percentage and in 2010 he averaged 61.5 percent.
CONS
-After watching a ton of film on this guy, I’ve determined that he does not have good accuracy on longer passes (over 15-20 yards).
-He had the second-most interceptions of these quarterbacks with 23 in 2010.
-He isn’t the tallest or most athletic player, which can be a liability in the pros.
Overall
I’ve done my homework on all these players, but especially Christian Ponder. I questioned his star-potential at first sight.
I’ve established that Ponder is going to be a gritty, make-the-“ugly”-play quarterback in the NFL. He will lead his team down the field and make plays by any means possible. They may not always be the most pretty, accurate or powerful throws, but he will dump passes off here and there, scuttle for first downs, and make side-arm throws. I don’t know about you, but that description kind of reminds of me of a previous, very successful Vikings quarterback.
Overall Rankings (As Best Suits Vikings)
6 of 6Overall Rankings (As best fits the Vikings)
1. Christian Ponder
2. Andy Dalton
3. Jake Locker
4. Colin Kaepernick
5. Ryan Mallett
If you liked this slide, follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/cbrusoewriter
Thanks!
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
