Blaine Gabbert: Fantasy Forecast for Jacksonville Jaguars' Rookie QB

Blaine Gabbert is the starting quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Not exactly a shocking sentence, especially with David Garrard no longer around and Luke McCown representing the biggest threat to the job.

Still, Gabbert's a rookie, and watching him play the past two seasons at the University of Missouri, it's not hard to notice that, while very talented, Gabbert has plenty of work to do before becoming an ace passer in the NFL. 

That doesn't change the excitement around the 10th overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft. The Jaguars' fans have been desperate for change under center since Byron Leftwich's days in Jacksonville, and finally having another first-round passer top the depth chart, is cause for cautious optimism.

Gabbert hasn't been awful in his short time on the field. He's flashed the same greatness he displayed at times in college, and he's re-energized an offense that had grown stale, though still somewhat effective.

But as a fantasy option? Not even close, bud.

Gabbert's rookie season will have its high points. His touchdown pass against the Saints was veteran-esque, and his mobility hides a few of the faults in the Jaguars' offensive line. But he's not ready to have a Cam Newton-like impact on fantasy rosters.

That offensive line we mentioned is one reason. He plays in a division that knows how to get after the passer, housing names like Dwight Freeney, Mario Wiliams and Robert Mathis. Gabbert needs time to learn to navigate an NFL offense, and more often than not, that's a luxury he won't have. 

He does have a strong ground game behind him, and he's been blessed with a skyscraper of a tight end in Marcedes Lewis—both large plusses for a rookie—but those assets weren't enough to keep Garrard employed, and they likely won't be enough to buoy Gabbert's stats. Especially not with this receiving corps.

Mike Thomas is an excellent athlete and is becoming a strong option, but he's limited as a No. 1 receiver due to his size. With Mike Sims-Walker now playing in St. Louis, that leaves only Jason Hill, Kassim Osgood, Chastin West and fellow rookie Cecil Shorts. Not exactly the kind of group that sends defensive backs racing to therapy.

Although it certainly doesn't help the Jaguars, Gabbert's defense is susceptible to just about everything, meaning he'll have plenty of opportunities to wing the ball all over the field behind a strong deficit. But rookie quarterbacks rarely make even mediocre fantasy options, whether they enjoy actual team success or not.

And when they have limited options at receiver and an offensive line that won't provide ample time, they usually belong on the fantasy waiver wire. Gabbert's no different.