NFL Stock Watch: Which Rookie QB Has the Brightest Long-Term Future?

There have been no shortage of rookie play-callers in the NFL this season and even less of a shortage in conversation about them.

Some have become ridiculed and doubted throughout the season, while others have already proven they belong in the NFL.

These young quarterbacks will go two ways in their respective careers: either they are vital to the success of their franchise or they will fade away into career backup obscurity.

Here's a list of some of the rookie quarterbacks behind center this season and who has the best chance at long-term success in their career.

5. Jake Locker

Jake Locker has spent the majority of the 2011 season sitting behind Matt Hasselbeck, who has done a great job for the Tennessee Titans. No harm, no foul as Hasselbeck has passed the Titans to the 14th-ranked passing attack in football and a possible playoff opportunity at 5-5.

Locker hasn't gotten his shot just yet, but we did get a preview of what the rookie can do last week against the Atlanta Falcons.

Filling in for the injured Hasselbeck, Locker threw for 140 yards and two touchdowns against a tough Falcons defense. He did only compete 47 percent of his passes, but that's what you'd expect from a rookie's debut.

It wasn't a bad first showing for the rookie, as not many first-year quarterbacks can say they got the ball into the end zone twice in the first real action of their career without throwing a pick.

Locker's first game shows he has the potential to be an accurate passer and a good quarterback one day, but it's still too early to predict just how good. Let's let him get a full season under his belt before we make that judgement.

One thing's for sure: If Locker and the Titans are going to be an elite team in this league, they are still two to three years away from doing that.

Locker prediction: unfounded optimism

NFL comparison: TBD

4. Christian Ponder

Since being inserted into the starting role in Week 6, Christian Ponder has had a steady flow of success for the Minnesota Vikings.

In his first game against the Chicago Bears, Ponder only threw 17 passes for 99 yards, just barely breaking the 50 percent completion percentage mark. Since then, Ponder hasn't thrown less than 28 passes in a game, never finishing below 190 yards.

His four 200-yard games are evidence that Ponder can throw the ball and pick up yardage for his team. Clearly the Vikings have some confidence in the rookie, giving him plenty of chances to throw the ball, and that will give him more opportunities to get better.

Ponder stands to be a good quarterback in this league as he's proven he can produce yards; he just has to learn to keep his mistakes to a minimum and make more accurate throws.

Still, both of those aspects of his game have shown flashes and should get better with time. Not to mention, with the best running back in the NFL and less expectations, Ponder won't be feeling as much pressure as most rookie quarterbacks.

I think Ponder will be a second-tier quarterback in the NFL one day, but like his team, he is still a few years away from being ready to compete at a high level in the playoffs. The Vikings are in the process of rebuilding, so there's no certainty they'll be a good all-around team anytime soon.

Ponder prediction: tentative optimism

NFL comparison: Joe Flacco

3. Blaine Gabbert

They may not look like much now, but the Jacksonville Jaguars aren't that far away from being able to compete.

Jacksonville might have a developing rookie behind center, but their good, young defense gives them a chance to win every week.

Sadly for Blaine Gabbert, the offense around him, with the exception of Maurice Jones-Drew, is pretty pitiful. Gabbert routinely finds himself running for his life week to week, so clearly the Jags will need to build on offense.

Gabbert has thrown for more touchdowns than interceptions, but his completion percentage leaves a lot to be desired.

With a few good drafts to beef up their offensive line and wide receiving corps, the Jags could be a playoff contender within a year or two as a result of that defense, which is much sooner than most teams in their position.

A great running back and a strong defense are the perfect pieces for Gabbert to have a ton of success for a long time in this league.

He must continue to develop, of course, but if he can become the franchise quarterback the Jags hoped for, there's no reason why he won't win a ton of games during his career.

Gabbert prediction: confident optimism

NFL comparison: Ben Roethlisberger

2. Cam Newton

It's safe to say there were more doubters than supporters of Cam Newton before the season started.

The Carolina Panthers and their fans are the last ones laughing now as they look to have a future superstar behind center for them for a long time to come.

Newton has made it look easy this season, breaking the record of most yards by a rookie in his debut with 422. Being in Peyton Manning's company is a good sign in itself.

As for overall production, Newton has only failed to throw for under 200 yards once, which was against the tough Jaguars defense. He's also broken the 300-yard mark three times, two of those were 400-yard performances.

He adds another element to his game by being able to run the ball, which will make it more difficult for defenses to stop him.

The Panthers are a team that will become a very trendy pick next season, as their offense is pretty much set for years to come, maybe needing another receiver to compliment Newton's current top target, Steve Smith.

Carolina is lacking on defense most as evidence by the 49 points the Detroit Lions dropped on them last week. Still, that's something that can be fixed through the draft and with the right moves in the offseason, the Panthers could be a playoff team next year.

Success that early in Newton's career will only give him valuable experience and as long as he continues to build from a great first season, there's no reason to doubt him being a superstar quarterback for many years to come.

The only thing that stops him from being No. 1 on this list is his style of play. Quarterbacks that move outside the pocket like Newton tend to get hit harder and suffer more injuries.

That fact alone makes me have slightly more doubt about Newton's future then my No. 1 pick.

Newton Prediction: sure-fire superstar

NFL Comparison: Michael Vick-Phillip Rivers hybrid

1. Andy Dalton

There's no doubt the Cincinnati Bengals are one of the biggest surprises this season and more surprisingly, their quarterback fits the same description.

While Newton has been garnering all the attention with his big-yardage games, Dalton has quietly been becoming one of the most consistent young quarterbacks in the NFL.

Dalton has proven he can keep his mistakes to a minimum, having thrown more touchdowns than interceptions, as well as throwing for a solid completion percentage and a lot of yards.

Any rookie quarterback who can show those qualities in their first season has a ton of promise.

The Bengals as a whole are a very good team. Standing at 6-4, they are primed to make the playoffs. Their defense is one of the best in football, while their rushing attack is ranked third.

If that wasn't enough help for Dalton, he also has the best young receiver in football to grow with in A.J. Green. That should be a tandem that haunts defenses for many years to come.

With Cincy in position to make the playoffs in his first season, Dalton is set to have a very successful career early and for a long time to come.

Based on an all-around great rookie season, I feel Dalton is not only the rookie of the year, but he has the brightest future out of any rookie quarterback this season.

Dalton prediction: Sure-fire superstar and Super Bowl winner

NFL comparison: Drew Brees