2011 NFL Predictions: Marking the Date Each 2011 NFL Draft QB Will See the Field
Mark the Date: When Cam Newton, Jake Locker and the Rest of the 2011 Quarterback Draft Class Will See a NFL Field
Not all quarterbacks taken in the NFL draft are created equal.
Some come into the league pro-ready, and some need time to learn the game.
Others are drafted into low-stress situations, and even more are thrown directly into the fire.
So, how does the 2011 NFL draft class fit into those categories?
Let's break down all 12 quarterbacks taken in April's draft and when they might make their NFL debuts.
Cameron Newton, Carolina Panthers
1 of 12
Estimated Debut Date
Sept. 11, 2011 (Week 1); at Arizona Cardinals
Breakdown
The best scenario for Newton would undoubtedly be to sit for a season and learn some of the X's and O's of being an NFL quarterback.
The Panthers just don't have that luxury.
There's no sense in putting an ineffective Jimmy Clausen back into a starter role, and Newton's playmaking ability should give him the upper hand on Clausen right off the bat anyway.
Carolina put all their eggs in Newton's basket, and come Week 1 of 2011, he'll get the chance to show the rest of the league why they took that chance.
Jake Locker, Tennessee Titans
2 of 12
Estimated Debut Date
Nov. 13, 2011 (Week 10); at Carolina Panthers
Breakdown
The Titans didn't start Vince Young in Week 1 of 2006, and I expect them to be cautious with Locker as well.
But to go down that route, the Titans need to answer a few questions.
Do they bring back Kerry Collins? A different free-agent quarterback?
Or would they dare go into 2011 with Rusty Smith as their starter?
Either way, Locker will still see the field. By Week 10, this should be Locker's job for however long he wants it.
Blaine Gabbert, Jacksonville Jaguars
3 of 12
Estimated Debut Date
Sept. 2012 (Week 1)
Breakdown
The Jaguars are granted a favorable situation when it comes to Gabbert.
Veteran David Garrard is plenty capable of starting for Jacksonville in 2011, and the Jaguars don't need to rush Gabbert onto the field.
He can learn to play quarterback in an NFL offense with a year on the sidelines, then take over the starting job in 2012.
Even if the Jaguars don't light the world on fire in 2011, the future will look brighter once Gabbert is the quarterback to open 2012.
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Christian Ponder, Minnesota Vikings
4 of 12
Estimated Debut Date
Sept. 11, 2011 (Week 1); at San Diego Chargers
Breakdown
Remember when the Vikings were the front-runners to acquire Donovan McNabb before the draft?
Those days seem like a distant memory now that Ponder went to Minnesota at No. 12 overall.
But drafting Ponder so high isn't the only reason why he'll be the Opening Day starter. Ponder is a highly intelligent quarterback who should pick up the offense in a hurry.
With a solid running game and defense behind him, the Vikings can feel confident throwing Ponder into the fire.
Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals
5 of 12
Estimated Debut Date
Sept. 11, 2011 (Week 1); at Cleveland Browns
Breakdown
Carson Palmer still seems set on retiring before he ever plays in Cincinnati again, leaving the Bengals quarterback situation completely up in the air.
Dalton likely has the best chance to be be their guy.
He comes into the NFL with a game that should transfer over right away. He's a smart quarterback who can diagnose defenses and learn the nuances of the offense.
I wouldn't expect big numbers, but Dalton can succeed as the Bengals starter during his rookie season.
Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers
6 of 12
Estimated Debut Date
Sept. 2012 (Week 1)
Breakdown
I'm not sure if Kaepernick could have landed in a better situation.
The 49ers are going to either bring back Alex Smith or find another free-agent quarterback, and that should keep Kaepernick on the sidelines during his rookie year.
But he'll also get the opportunity to learn from Jim Harbaugh. For a guy with as much potential as Kaepernick has, Harbaugh possesses the knowledge of the position to maximize that potential.
He should let Kaepernick sit in 2011, then unleash him on the NFL in 2012 and beyond.
Ryan Mallett, New England Patriots
7 of 12
Estimated Debut Date
2013 - 2014
Breakdown
Mallett is a tough debut date to assess.
If he stays in New England, and he could, it's anyone's guess on when he starts a game at quarterback. Barring an injury to Tom Brady, Mallett might be on the bench awhile.
But if he shows some signs in New England and gets moved, Mallett could be a starter in the NFL as soon as 2013.
A couple of years in the Patriots' system could make all the difference for Mallett.
Ricky Stanzi, Kansas City Chiefs
8 of 12
Estimated Debut Date
2013 (injury) - Sep. 2014
Breakdown
There's a lot of reasons to like Stanzi's long-term potential, but he clearly needs some time on an NFL bench.
He should be afforded that time with the Chiefs.
If he develops on the bench, Stanzi could either take over for Matt Cassell in Kansas City or be shipped to another quarterback-needy franchise.
Either way, it wouldn't be a shock to see Stanzi as an injury replacement in 2013 or full-time starter in 2014.
T.J. Yates, Houston Texans
9 of 12
Estimated Debut Date
2013 (injury)
Breakdown
Yates is one of the more interesting quarterbacks taken in the 2011 draft.
He has the arm and size that NFL teams want in a quarterback, but he never gave you much in terms of production at North Carolina.
Yates is now in a good situation in Houston, but it's hard to see his future as much more than a backup at this point.
It's impossible to forecast injuries, but one to Matt Schaub later on gives Yates a shot at seeing the field.
Nathan Enderle, Chicago Bears
10 of 12
Estimated Debut Date
2013 (injury)
Breakdown
While Jay Cutler is obviously the No. 1 starter in Chicago, Enderle will compete with Caleb Hanie for the backup spot.
But that might be all Enderle ever is in the NFL.
Unless an injury happens to Cutler in Chicago, I wouldn't expect Enderle to compete for playing time. He'll need a stroke of good luck to see the field early on.
Tyrod Taylor, Baltimore Ravens
11 of 12
Estimated Debut Date
Breakdown
Taylor is another interesting case to look at.
He's a terrific athlete and could potentially play a different position, but the Ravens liked him enough as a quarterback.
Yet with Joe Flacco firmly in place, there doesn't seem like there's a spot for Taylor to make an impact early in his career.
Still, Taylor could get some looks as a situational player in the Ravens offense as early as 2012.
Greg McElroy, New York Jets
12 of 12
Estimated Debut Date
Sept. 2013 (Week 1)
Breakdown
The Jets might look smart in a few years for taking McElroy so late in the draft.
While not a tremendous athlete, McElroy is as intelligent as they come and is more accurate then he gets credit for.
Given a year or two to redevelop his throwing motion and adjust to the NFL game, McElroy could be a wanted asset.
The Jets would then have the option of dealing him for a high pick to a team that needs a quarterback heading into 2013.
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