Blaine Gabbert: 6 Predictions for Gabbert's Rookie Season

The Jacksonville Jaguars made a bit of a surprise move by trading up in the first round from the 16th pick to the 10th selection, and with that pick, they selected Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert.

Gabbert was quite successful during his time at Missouri and he was expected to be the second quarterback taken in the draft.

Things did not work out that way on draft night, as Cam Newton and Jake Locker were the first two quarterbacks off of the board, but Gabbert still managed to find his way into the top 10.

Here are six predictions for how Gabbert's rookie season may go in Jacksonville.

Gabbert Will Not Start in Week 1

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 26: Quarterback David Garrard #9 of the Jacksonville Jaguars attempts a pass during the game against the Washington Redskins at EverBank Field on December 26, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Image

I expect the Jags' returning quarterback, David Garrard, to remain the team's starter for the start of the regular season.

Gabbert needs time to learn the system and get used to playing under center after his time in the spread at Missouri.

I don't think the adjustment will be all that tough for the rookie signal-caller, but there is no reason to rush him when the team already has a capable starter on the roster in Garrard.

But He Will Start by the End of the Season

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TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Blaine Gabbert #11 of the Missouri Tigers flips the ball during the Insight Bowl against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Gabbert will start the season holding the clipboard, but just like Colt McCoy last year, he will see plenty of action before the season ends.

I see Gabbert getting his first start against the Browns in Week 11 after a likely 2-7 start to the season for Jacksonville.

Gabbert will be ready enough at this point in the season and I believe Jack Del Rio will want to see what his future starter can do.

Gabbert Will Finish the Season with More Touchdowns Than Interceptions

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COLUMBIA, MO - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterback Blaine Gabbert #11 of the Missouri Tigers passes during the game against the Kansas State Wildcats on November 13, 2010 at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

I think once Gabbert gets the chance to play, he will take good care of the football and have some solid success by throwing for more touchdowns than interceptions.

Gabbert is a smart quarterback and he will do a good job making accurate throws, but he will still face a learning curve when it comes to reading NFL defenses.

Gabbert may not throw for a ton of touchdowns this season, but I don't expect him to throw a lot of interceptions, either. The Jags will most likely take it slow with their rookie quarterback and keep his reads and throws fairly simple.

I see Gabbert throwing 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions in the team's final seven games.

Gabbert Will Have the Third-Best Rookie Season of the First-Round Quarterbacks

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KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 27: Quarterback Blaine Gabbert #11 of the Missouri Tigers passes during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks on November 27, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

I don't think any of the rookie quarterbacks will have a Sam Bradford-like first season, but I see Jake Locker and Christian Ponder starting early in the season and I see them both playing surprisingly well.

I expect Gabbert to play well enough to instill some confidence for the 2012 season, but he won't play at the same level as Locker and Ponder, who I believe will both exceed expectations.

Gabbert will have a tough transition from the spread offense, while Locker and Ponder should have much smoother transitions. All three quarterbacks will have the benefit of a strong running game, but I see Gabbert coming into the toughest situation with least amount of quality receiving options.

Gabbert Will Finish His First NFL Season with a Record of Just 1-6

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COLUMBIA, MISSOURI - OCTOBER 23: Blaine Gabbert #11 of the Missouri Tigers passes against the Oklahoma Sooners at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbia, Missouri. The Tigers beat the Sooners 36-27. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty

I think this is going to be a very tough year for Gabbert and the Jags.

Sam Bradford played about as well as any rookie quarterback has played in a long time, and even he did not have a winning record.

Not only that, but Bradford played in the weakest division in football, while Gabbert will be facing a tough AFC North schedule.

Of the Jags' final seven games, I see their lone victory coming at home in a minor upset over the Bucs (who I think will also struggle this season). Things should improve in 2012 for Gabbert, but it's going to be a rough rookie year, given his team's tricky schedule.

Gabbert Won't Do Enough to Save Jack Del Rio's Job

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HOUSTON - JANUARY 02: Head coach Jack Del Rio of the Jacksonville Jaguars looks on from the sidelines during first half action against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Jacksonville head coach Jack Del Rio is on what seems like his ninth life with the Jags; the 48-year-old is seemingly on the hot seat at some point in nearly every season, and I think this will ultimately be his last with the team.

Gabbert will play alright by rookie standards, but I see Jacksonville finishing with a very disappointing record of just 3-13 this year.

Gabbert will get another chance in 2012 to prove that he is the right guy for the job, but Del Rio will not be afforded that same luxury.