Terrelle Pryor: 5 NFL Rookies Who Will Have a Better 2011 Season

It's official. Terrelle Pryor is now a rookie in the NFL. 

The Oakland Raiders selected Pryor in the third round of the 2011 NFL supplement draft, meaning they gave up their 2012 third-round draft pick. The Raiders don't have a second-, third- or fourth-round draft pick in 2012. 

For some reason, the Raiders were very high on Pryor, and they snagged him up before anyone else could. They wouldn't have used a third-round pick on Pryor if they didn't have big plans for him.

Then again, it is the Raiders, so you never really know. I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up at wide receiver or at tight end, but Pryor has continued to state he only wants to play quarterback.

Pryor shouldn't play this season because he isn't ready to start in the NFL, but if Jason Campbell goes down, then expect the Raiders to throw him into the fire. 

Here are five rookie quarterbacks that will have a better 2011 season than Pryor.

5. Colin Kaepernick

Kaepernick was the sixth quarterback selected in the 2011 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers, but unlike all the other quarterbacks, he has Jim Harbaugh as his head coach. 

Harbaugh has already improved Kaepernick's game, and he will continue to do so throughout the season. 

Let's be real, Alex Smith is not a winning quarterback, which is why Kaepernick is going to see the field in 2011. There is a reason the 49ers traded up to get the 6'4", 233-pound quarterback from Nevada. He's becoming a better passer, and with his mobility, he'll be making plays to help San Francisco win.  

4. Andy Dalton

Andy Dalton hasn't looked good for the Cincinnati Bengals so far, but he is a much smarter quarterback than Pryor, and that is why he'll have a better rookie season. 

Dalton just has to get better acquainted with the system, as well as his team. He hasn't had a ton of time to do either, so give him a few weeks and he will make progress. It also benefits Dalton that he has A.J. Green as a wide receiver. 

He really shouldn't be starting this year, but he'll still go out there and put up decent numbers.   

3. Jake Locker

Jake Locker was surprisingly the second quarterback taken in the 2011 NFL draft, and he will surprisingly play a good bit this season. 

Everyone thought that once the Titans signed Matt Hasselbeck that Locker would sit and learn for a few years. But they failed to realize that Hasselbeck hasn't played a full season since 2007, and that isn't going to change in 2011.

Locker will get a good chance to develop behind the veteran, but he will also gain great game experience when filling in for the injured quarterback. The rookie won't take this team to the playoffs, but he'll put up a good fight. 

2. Blaine Gabbert

There is a quarterback controversy brewing in Jacksonville. The Jaguars must decide between rookie Blaine Gabbert or veteran David Garrard. 

Garrard should be the starter, but that doesn't mean Gabbert won't play this season. The rookie hasn't looked spectacular in the preseason games, but he is still learning the system. The NFL lockout truly hurt every rookies' progress. 

Gabbert has a strong arm and is mobile enough to make something happen should the play break down. Garrard is also no stranger to injury, and if he goes down, Gabbert will be ready to take over and perform well for the Jaguars.  

1. Cam Newton

The No.1 pick in the 2011 NFL draft has yet to be named the starter for the Carolina Panthers, but it is inevitable. 

The job will be Newton's, and he is going to be alright. If he does struggle and Jimmy Clausen steps in, the Panthers will just put Newton right back in because Clausen isn't going to do any better. 

Pryor is a poor man's Newton, and the 2010 Heisman Trophy winner will prove why he was the top overall pick. Pryor can only rely on his physical attributes, which aren't as good as Newton's.

Newton's size, speed and strength, combined with his growing knowledge of the position, will help him have a good rookie season. He won't win Rookie of the Year honors, but don't be surprised when he makes outstanding plays every now and then.