NFL Draft 2011: Could Missouri Tigers' Blaine Gabbert Tumble Out of the Top 10?

Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert instantly assumed the role of a top-tier quarterback in the 2011 NFL Draft once Andrew Luck returned to Stanford. No one has really questioned this and from what I have seen he will be a fine player once he arrives in the NFL.

But how are teams really viewing him as the draft approaches?

The fact of the matter is Gabbert, who has been predicted to go as high as first overall, could slide all the way to the Washington Redskins at 10.

A rundown of the top nine teams explains why:

Cam Newton has stolen the heart of the Carolina Panthers organization. There really isn’t anyone there who doesn’t like him, so he will be the first quarterback taken.

The Broncos and Bills need defensive help and have suitable enough quarterback options for this season that they can opt to take a development QB later in the draft.

The Bengals need help, but with Marvin Lewis needing a receiver and the available vets (Donovan McNabb and Marc Bulger), he may opt for A.J. Green.

The Cardinals already have a pair of young quarterbacks and appear to be interested in developing one of them while using a veteran stopgap this season.

That brings us to the first real option: the 49ers. If San Francisco wants Gabbert they would be perfectly justified by taking him. It could be that after being snubbed by Gabbert out of high school, Jim Harbaugh may be inclined to pass. Or, if Patrick Peterson remains they could go after Andy Dalton later.

The Titans need help but could stick with Vince Young after Jeff Fisher walked out. At the very least, they will have a shot at one of the second-tier quarterbacks in the second round.

Washington has no reason to pass and won’t. He fits exactly what Mike Shanahan likes in a quarterback and is perfect value at 10.

So while Gabbert might not tumble completely out of the top 10, he could very well slide through to the second half of it. Just something to consider before locking him into the top five.