2011 NFL Draft: Backup Quarterbacks

Who is the most popular guy in town?

I’ll give you a hint. He’s paid handsomely for not doing much, and sometimes even nothing. He’s constantly looking over a more talented shoulder and then steps in when that shoulder gets broken.

He’s the starting backup quarterback.

All kidding aside, a competent backup is an invaluable commodity. Peyton or Eli Manning aside, the starter is going to get hurt and miss time. Having a capable replacement can save a season.

These are five potential understudies teams should consider taking a flyer on during the later rounds of the 2011 NFL Draft.

1. Greg McElroy, Alabama, Sr.

Possibly the smartest signal caller on the board, all the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Alabama product ever does is win.

Before falling at South Carolina on October 9, he had not dropped a game he started since junior high. McElroy threw for 5,691 yards 39 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions with the Crimson Tide. Oh, also won the 2009 National Title.  

Projection: 3^rd round

2.  Colin Kaepernick, Nevada, Sr.

Though he may not be under center much next season, the versatile Kaepernick can lineup at a variety of receiver positions or even in the backfield.

A four-year starter with the Wolfpack, he threw for 10,098 yards and 82 touchdowns to go along with 4,112 rushing yards and 59 scores on the ground.

Projection: 3^rd round.

3. Tyrod Taylor, Virginia Tech, Sr.

He has all of the stats; threw for 7,017 yards and 44 touchdowns while rushing for another 23 with the Hokies. Taylor is almost a versatile as Kaepernick, and may be more physically gifted.

Projection: 4^th round.

4. Pat Devlin, Delaware, Sr.

Devlin guided the Blue Hens, a I-AA (forget that FCS crap) powerhouse, to the division’s championship game last fall. The Penn State transfer may be a poor man’s  Joe Flacco, or to go even further back in the UD annals, Rich Gannon.

Projection: 4^th round.

5. Ricky Dobbs, Navy, Sr.

The winner of the Lowe’s Senior Class Award, Dobbs claims the NCAA single season record for rushing touchdowns with 27. No he does not possess the arm of the other prospects, but nobody is better at getting that tough yard.

Projection: 6^th round.