2011 NFL Draft: The Top 10 Quarterbacks Available
The 1983 NFL Draft has long been considered the best draft for QBs in NFL history. John Elway, Jim Kelly and Dan Marino were the headliners and were each selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The 2011 draft doesn't feature one quarterback who is considered a lock to be selected first overall. But the depth of this class is as solid as it has ever been.
As many as seven QBs could be selected in the first round. And there is some depth beyond those first seven.
While it is doubtful that many QBs will be selected in the first round, the amount of QB-needy teams certainly makes this draft more intriguing and could lead to more trades.
10. Greg McElroy, Alabama
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Sure, we've heard it all: weak arm, a hitch in his delivery and less than ideal size.
Intangibles are what sets McElroy apart. He was a winner in high school and won a national championship in college. He's an excellent leader and a fearless competitor.
While no one will take McElroy with an early selection, someone will find him a bargain and stash him on the bench as a developmental project.
Remember, you can improve arm strength and work on your delivery, you cannot teach intangibles.
Don't count McElroy out.
9. Tyrod Taylor, Virginia Tech
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The knocks on Taylor are his size and that he often looks to run before letting a play develop.
Taylor started the majority of his four seasons in college at Virginia Tech. He won two conference championships, played in two BCS games, won ACC Player of the Year his senior season and ended his career the school's all-time leader in wins.
The upside with Taylor is in each of his four seasons, he continued to improve and develop as a passer. His accuracy improved each season and his arm strength has never been questioned.
Taylor would be an ideal fit for a team with a solid veteran QB. The people who knock him for often taking off before the play develops don't realize the offensive line he often had to play behind. Taylor can end up being a steal for some team.
He is a QB and deserves the opportunity to be one in the NFL.
8. Ricky Stanzi, Iowa
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Stanzi is an intriguing prospect who could end up being the best value pick in the draft.
With good size (6'4", 221 lbs), Stanzi possesses a solid arm capable of making just about any throw and is a solid athlete.
Stanzi was a three-year starter at Iowa who sometimes had accuracy issues. Those issues stemmed from sometimes forcing the ball into coverage instead of checking down, often a result of trying to account for a lack of weapons.
In this era of system-specific players, Stanzi will represent an excellent value for someone. Because he doesn't do one thing outstanding, Stanzi will probably be drafted between Rounds 2 and 4. However, Stanzi does everything well.
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7. Ryan Mallett, Arkansas
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Mallett has perhaps the best arm in the draft. He can make every throw with velocity and accuracy.
While a less than stellar athlete, Mallett does have good footwork in the pocket. NFL teams knew Mallett would not run good 40 times and that wasn't a major surprise.
Mallett has been much scrutinized for maturity issues. There have been rumors of failed drug tests and a lack of leadership skills, which will scare off many teams.
Mallett's arm talent is undeniable. He has many traits that are attractive but the maturity issues will hurt him come draft day. Some teams do want more mobility out of the QB position as well.
6. Andy Dalton, TCU
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Dalton is a pure winner. While not possessing outstanding talent, Dalton does have a good, solid arm and is an above-average athlete.
Dalton is an intelligent player with a sterling win-loss record at TCU. He is an accurate passer whether it be in the pocket or on the move.
Dalton could play in just about any offensive scheme and projects to be an ideal fit in the West Coast offense so many teams run.
Look for Dalton to get picked in the early stages of the second round.
5. Colin Kaepernick, Nevada
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The most talked-about QB prospect in recent weeks, Kaepernick could end up being the best of the bunch.
A three-year starter at Nevada, Kaepernick is the only QB in NCAA history to throw for 10,000 yards and rush for 4,000.
While playing in a non-traditional offense in college, Kaepernick showed the ability read defenses and is highly intelligent. Possessing an arm that rivals Mallett's, Kaepernick can make all the throws. He has outstanding size and speed and his stock continues to climb.
With the size, athletic ability, arm and intelligence coaches dream of, Kaepernick will end up in the first round.
4. Christian Ponder, Florida St.
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Ponder was once seen as a surefire first-round pick until injuries derailed his college career. With an excellent Senior Bowl and solid combine, Ponder has worked his way back into the first-round mix.
Ponder has a solid arm, outstanding athletic ability and precision accuracy. He has shown an ability to make plays both inside and outside the pocket.
Teams were concerned about his injuries, in particular his elbow, but Ponder has seemed to pass all of the medical tests and those concerns seemed to have subsided now.
While not possessing the strongest arm, Ponder does have a good arm. He has a nice, compact release and overall good mechanics.
Ponder is also an ideal fit for a West Coast offensive system.
Look for Ponder to be drafted late-first to early-second round.
3. Jake Locker, Washington
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Locker was considered at one time the top prospect in the 2010 NFL Draft, had he declared. Instead Locker came back and his season was much-scrutinized.
Locker has good size, an excellent arm and supreme athletic ability. He was a bruising runner with good speed in college.
The knock on Locker continues to be his accuracy. His accuracy declined in college and that is a cause for concern.
On the other hand, Locker did not have a lot of talent around him. He would often force throws trying to make something happen. That can be coached. His talent cannot be coached.
Accuracy can be improved with hard work and Locker is a hard worker. He has outstanding leadership skills and will see himself drafted in the mid- to late-first round.
2. Blaine Gabbert, Missouri
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Gabbert has outstanding size and athletic ability and can make every throw. He would fit in any scheme.
Like many college QBs, Gabbert faces the challenge of transitioning from the spread offense in college to a pro-style offense.
Gabbert, in addition to being an outstanding QB, was also an All Big-12 Academic selection, so he is highly intelligent.
He shows a competitive fire and possesses all of the intangibles pro teams desire.
Some have compared his skill set to Aaron Rodgers as he is a better runner than most realize.
He will be drafted in the top five, perhaps even first overall.
1. Cameron Newton, Auburn
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Newton has the size (6'6", 250 lbs) that has NFL scouts drooling. He can make every throw and reminds some of Ben Roethlisberger or Josh Freeman with how defenders seem to fall off of him.
He is an excellent runner who makes good decisions. He has the kind of talent every team wants from this position.
While only starting one year in major college football, Newton started one year in junior college and led his each team to a national championship.
So two years, two championships for Newton. How can you go against that?
Sure there are character concerns. There was a cheating scandal at Florida, in addition to the theft of a laptop linked to Newton. And don't forget the play-for-pay scheme his father supposedly organized. Many scouts think he is arrogant.
But is his confidence mistaken for arrogance? He is an excellent leader and his teammates flock to him—an excellent trait to have.
Newton will be selected in the top three, more than likely going No. 1.
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