Rank the 2011 rookie QBs (1 Viewer)

[FUBAR]

A lot of great articles out there by the staff and rankings by many posters here to peruse, but what do YOU think of this rookie QB class? Rank 'em, comment if you want. Seems to me this class is even more controversial than most and many were drafted too high. Lots of question marks, more concerns than I've had with previous classes, but I imagine a few of these guys will pan out.

My thoughts, this is an attempt to look 3 years into the future with practically no concern given to the immediate future:

QB1 types:

Cam Newton, Panthers - I understand the skeptics and he easily could bust. I don't like his organization too much, but his physical talent is simply too great to ignore. Not for the faint of heart.

Colin Kaepernick, 49ers - He seems to have the physical tools to work with and if anyone can, Harbaugh can mold him into a very good QB. Honestly, this lofty ranking has everything to do with the coach.

Andy Dalton, Bengals - he won't "wow" us with his passes, but the kid is smart and with good coaching will be able to dissect defenses. He has a young group of receivers to work with. He is not Drew Brees, but he's better than Chad Pennington. Somewhere between the two. I almost put him in the star tier. As Bloom mentioned, Jay Gruden should help him.

Starters, QB2 types:

Jake Locker, Titans - Although irrelevant in FF, I like his leadership skills. He has the physical tools but will require work with his accuracy. My main concern is he'll be starting too soon without thorough development.

Blaine Gabbert, Jags - I've been up and down on Gabbert, I really don't know what to make of him. I don't see star potential, but he should start.

Ricky Stanzi, Chiefs - this is the guy I'm looking to take a chance on late. He certainly isn't ready to take over the helm today but he has the tools and intangibles to be a very good QB if developed well. His situation is decent, Cassel isn't a great QB by any stretch but the surrounding talent is pretty good. With Baldwin, Moeaki and Bowe around, he won't be hurting for targets, with Charles around, he has one of the better young backs behind him.

Christian Ponder, Vikings - meh, just not impressed. Someone in Minnesota is though.

Ryan Mallett, Patriots - physically an elite prospect, mentally and maturity-wise a wreck. Maybe he'll come around, but I'm letting someone else take the risk. I put him here just because I trust the opinions of those who like his potential and, face it, his team does pretty well developing players.

Career Backups, take if you have the starter:

Tyrod Taylor, Ravens - Great athlete, not a good QB. I hope they find a way for him to contribute because he is a good kid.

Nathan Enderle, Bears - Cutler's backup has value. but will he even be that?

Greg McElroy, Jets - Maybe worth taking in very deep leagues but I doubt he lasts to year 4 in the NFL.

Taylor Yates, Texans - I want to like a kid who could throw to AJ, but his strength is the short game and it's not very strong.

 

[loose circuits]

1) Cam

2) Kaep

3) Locker

4) Dalton

5) Ponder

6) Gabbert

7) Mallet

8) Taylor (I think his QB skills are way underrated and he just needs to mature a little bit)

9) Stanzi

10) Yates

I'd ignore the rest for now and more than likely the last 4 as well because there value won't see an increase anytime soon

 

[eakfootball]

1. Newton-Great pick for a 10 team league, if you are relying on him to do something for you this year don't take him.

2. Locker-Tempted to put him 1, but Newton's upside keeps him 2.

3. Dalton-Don't like him as a player, but A.J. Green and opportunity will make him a good backup.

4. Gabbert-Great chance to be the best of the group, but he may not play until 2013.

5. Ponder

6. Kap

7. Mallett-Probobly won't play for a few years.

8. Taylor-Reminds me of Troy Smith.

9. Stanzi

10. Yates

 

[thriftyrocker]

Starters, QB2 types:

Jake Locker, Titans - Although irrelevant in FF, I like his leadership skills. He has the physical tools but will require work with his accuracy. My main concern is he'll be starting too soon without thorough development.

If Locker is a starter 3 or 4 years from now, he's a fantasy QB1. Look at McNabb and McNair's prime. 3300 + 400 rushing beats out 4000 passing in most leagues. That's with little or no improvement in accuracy.

 

[ConnSKINS26]

For someone not drafting for an immediate starter, I think you have to gamble on the Newton/Kaepernick boom-bust prospects...because they are the guys who can be Vick-like and outscore who you've already got on your roster. If they reach their potential. But that's the gamble you take. Maybe Locker as well.

 

[FUBAR]

Starters, QB2 types:

Jake Locker, Titans - Although irrelevant in FF, I like his leadership skills. He has the physical tools but will require work with his accuracy. My main concern is he'll be starting too soon without thorough development.

If Locker is a starter 3 or 4 years from now, he's a fantasy QB1. Look at McNabb and McNair's prime. 3300 + 400 rushing beats out 4000 passing in most leagues. That's with little or no improvement in accuracy.

Yeah, I just expect more INTs from him, don't see him throwing for more than 25 TDs most years, and there are a lot of mobile QBs now.

 

[sihaokills]

Cam Newton

Jake Locker

Andy Dalton

Christian Ponder

Blaine Gabbert

Colin Kapaernick

Ryan Mallet

Ricky Stanzi

TJ Yates

Tyrod Tyler

 

[cvnpoka]

He is not Drew Brees, but he's better than Chad Pennington

he is a heavy dog to be as good as pennington, cmon.

 

[The Real Hipster Doofus]

For dynasty purposes....

1) Gabbert

2) Ponder

3) Newton

4) Locker

5) Kaepernick

6) Dalton

7) Mallet

8) Stanzi

 

[Go deep]

Newton

Locker

Ponder

Gabbert

Dalton

Kaepernick

Mallet

Stanzi

 

[Go deep]

He is not Drew Brees, but he's better than Chad Pennington

he is a heavy dog to be as good as pennington, cmon.

A heavy dog? Im not sure about that.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

Wouldn't surprise me if this entire QB class was a washout.

Locker and Gabbert are going to get the opportunity to at least be journeymen QB's.

 

[TopDawg]

Cam Newton

Jake Locker

Colin Kaepernick

Blaine Gabbert

Andy Dalton

Christian Ponder

Ryan Mallet

Ricky Stanzi

TJ Yates

Tyrod Tyler

 

[todisco1]

I like Ryan Mallet more than most, I think he requires patience, but he's gonna be good IMO. No better place to learn than NE.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Im warming to all except Ponder the more I watch them and think about their situations. Certainly Kaepernick has the right coach to succeed, and Gruden has been gushing about Dalton for weeks, so he's got a plan. Gabbert's film is more impressive on each viewing, and I love Mallett's situation. Even Locker is a solid upside play in the 3rd or later. Im starting to think a shark move might be piling up picks from late 2nd to early 4th and taking more than one of these guys

 

[Hoss_Cartwright]

Im warming to all except Ponder the more I watch them and think about their situations. Certainly Kaepernick has the right coach to succeed, and Gruden has been gushing about Dalton for weeks, so he's got a plan. Gabbert's film is more impressive on each viewing, and I love Mallett's situation. Even Locker is a solid upside play in the 3rd or later. Im starting to think a shark move might be piling up picks from late 2nd to early 4th and taking more than one of these guys

I agree about Ponder. Didn't he have about 30 ints or something like that for his college career? What was his td/int ratio for his college career? The QB I like from this group is Andy Dalton. I'm reading good things about him even though he doesn't have the strong arm. I think what's between the ears of QBs is more important.

 

[johnadams]

1) Cam2) Kaep3) Locker4) Dalton5) Ponder6) Gabbert7) Mallet8) Taylor (I think his QB skills are way underrated and he just needs to mature a little bit)9) Stanzi10) YatesI'd ignore the rest for now and more than likely the last 4 as well because there value won't see an increase anytime soon

This is my list. I'd rather roll large on Cam and Kap, even though I think both have a higher bust factor than Dalton and Ponder, who I think both will be decent if not very good NFL QBs but not exciting FF QBs. Locker is such a wild card to me and I'm not very enamored with his landing. But I'd still take the risk on him. Gabbert sees limited in upside and with a big bust factor. Mallet got the Gerhardt landing. Only hope to be relevent within the next four years is an injury to Brady and that's not what I want. But if I had the roster spot to just sit on him, I'd take him.

 

[krsone21]

A lot of great articles out there by the staff and rankings by many posters here to peruse, but what do YOU think of this rookie QB class? Rank 'em, comment if you want. Seems to me this class is even more controversial than most and many were drafted too high. Lots of question marks, more concerns than I've had with previous classes, but I imagine a few of these guys will pan out.

My thoughts, this is an attempt to look 3 years into the future with practically no concern given to the immediate future:

QB1 types:

Cam Newton, Panthers - I understand the skeptics and he easily could bust. I don't like his organization too much, but his physical talent is simply too great to ignore. Not for the faint of heart.

Colin Kaepernick, 49ers - He seems to have the physical tools to work with and if anyone can, Harbaugh can mold him into a very good QB. Honestly, this lofty ranking has everything to do with the coach.

Andy Dalton, Bengals - he won't "wow" us with his passes, but the kid is smart and with good coaching will be able to dissect defenses. He has a young group of receivers to work with. He is not Drew Brees, but he's better than Chad Pennington. Somewhere between the two. I almost put him in the star tier. As Bloom mentioned, Jay Gruden should help him.

Starters, QB2 types:

Jake Locker, Titans - Although irrelevant in FF, I like his leadership skills. He has the physical tools but will require work with his accuracy. My main concern is he'll be starting too soon without thorough development.

Blaine Gabbert, Jags - I've been up and down on Gabbert, I really don't know what to make of him. I don't see star potential, but he should start.

Ricky Stanzi, Chiefs - this is the guy I'm looking to take a chance on late. He certainly isn't ready to take over the helm today but he has the tools and intangibles to be a very good QB if developed well. His situation is decent, Cassel isn't a great QB by any stretch but the surrounding talent is pretty good. With Baldwin, Moeaki and Bowe around, he won't be hurting for targets, with Charles around, he has one of the better young backs behind him.

Christian Ponder, Vikings - meh, just not impressed. Someone in Minnesota is though.

Ryan Mallett, Patriots - physically an elite prospect, mentally and maturity-wise a wreck. Maybe he'll come around, but I'm letting someone else take the risk. I put him here just because I trust the opinions of those who like his potential and, face it, his team does pretty well developing players.

Career Backups, take if you have the starter:

Tyrod Taylor, Ravens - Great athlete, not a good QB. I hope they find a way for him to contribute because he is a good kid.

Nathan Enderle, Bears - Cutler's backup has value. but will he even be that?

Greg McElroy, Jets - Maybe worth taking in very deep leagues but I doubt he lasts to year 4 in the NFL.

Taylor Yates, Texans - I want to like a kid who could throw to AJ, but his strength is the short game and it's not very strong.

I'm a hawkeye fan and I think with the right coaching Stanzi can become a good QB in the pro's. A good portion of his snaps were from under center so he is good to go there, he is able to move around and make plays like a Steve young type, not super fast like a Vick, but mobile enough to move around and make plays if need be, and he is not afraid to put the ball up in the air to his big receivers. If at some point Stanzi does get a shot, I would bump Moeaki up a little bit since they had a good repoir from when Moeaki played at Iowa. I would love to see Stanzi get a shot sooner rather then later.

 

[thriftyrocker]

Im warming to all except Ponder the more I watch them and think about their situations. Certainly Kaepernick has the right coach to succeed, and Gruden has been gushing about Dalton for weeks, so he's got a plan. Gabbert's film is more impressive on each viewing, and I love Mallett's situation. Even Locker is a solid upside play in the 3rd or later. Im starting to think a shark move might be piling up picks from late 2nd to early 4th and taking more than one of these guys

It's morning again in the NFL.

 

[AcerFC]

Im warming to all except Ponder the more I watch them and think about their situations. Certainly Kaepernick has the right coach to succeed, and Gruden has been gushing about Dalton for weeks, so he's got a plan. Gabbert's film is more impressive on each viewing, and I love Mallett's situation. Even Locker is a solid upside play in the 3rd or later. Im starting to think a shark move might be piling up picks from late 2nd to early 4th and taking more than one of these guys

I tried to do this. I got greedy though and passed up all QBs at 3.1 and 3.2Ended up with Kap at 3.6 and Dalton at 3.10

 

[saintfool]

Im warming to all except Ponder the more I watch them and think about their situations. Certainly Kaepernick has the right coach to succeed, and Gruden has been gushing about Dalton for weeks, so he's got a plan. Gabbert's film is more impressive on each viewing, and I love Mallett's situation. Even Locker is a solid upside play in the 3rd or later. Im starting to think a shark move might be piling up picks from late 2nd to early 4th and taking more than one of these guys

I agree about Ponder. Didn't he have about 30 ints or something like that last year? The QB I like from this group is Andy Dalton. I'm reading good things about him even though he doesn't have the strong arm. I think what's between the ears of QBs is more important.

Ponder had a QB rating of 135 with 20 td and 8 ints last year. There were only two games where he threw for multiple INTs. the years preceding this, he threw for 14/7 (9 games) and 14/13 (13 games). at this point, i think ponder is really being under-rated. he's going into a great situation. the consistent knock against him has been health. he looked good in the senior bowl and impressed folks - described often as "the most accurate passer" - in the combine. his arm strength limits him some but he's in a WCO where his accuracy and decision-making will serve him very well. if sidney sticks around, he's got the tools to put up good numbers for a rookie.

 

[Hoss_Cartwright]

Im warming to all except Ponder the more I watch them and think about their situations. Certainly Kaepernick has the right coach to succeed, and Gruden has been gushing about Dalton for weeks, so he's got a plan. Gabbert's film is more impressive on each viewing, and I love Mallett's situation. Even Locker is a solid upside play in the 3rd or later. Im starting to think a shark move might be piling up picks from late 2nd to early 4th and taking more than one of these guys

I agree about Ponder. Didn't he have about 30 ints or something like that last year? The QB I like from this group is Andy Dalton. I'm reading good things about him even though he doesn't have the strong arm. I think what's between the ears of QBs is more important.

Ponder had a QB rating of 135 with 20 td and 8 ints last year. There were only two games where he threw for multiple INTs. the years preceding this, he threw for 14/7 (9 games) and 14/13 (13 games). at this point, i think ponder is really being under-rated. he's going into a great situation. the consistent knock against him has been health. he looked good in the senior bowl and impressed folks - described often as "the most accurate passer" - in the combine. his arm strength limits him some but he's in a WCO where his accuracy and decision-making will serve him very well. if sidney sticks around, he's got the tools to put up good numbers for a rookie.

Maybe I was thinking about career ints. I live in Viking country and a guy at work said some negative things about Ponder and his interceptions. How many career ints does Ponder have? What was his td/int ratio for his college career?

 

[cvnpoka]

He is not Drew Brees, but he's better than Chad Pennington

he is a heavy dog to be as good as pennington, cmon.

A heavy dog? Im not sure about that.

heres a list of QB's drafted in that range201025 tebow48 clausen09none0856 brian brohm57 chad henne0722 brady quinn36 kevin kolb40 john beck43 drew stanton0649 kellen clemens64 tarvaris jackson0524 aaron rodgers25 jason campbell0422 jp losman0322 rex grossman0232 patrick ramsey0132 drew brees53 uincy carter00pennington at 18?9950 shaun king98charlie batch at 60?9726 druckenmiller42 plummer9642 tony banks9545 todd collins60 kordell stewart94 and 93 none

 

[saintfool]

Im warming to all except Ponder the more I watch them and think about their situations. Certainly Kaepernick has the right coach to succeed, and Gruden has been gushing about Dalton for weeks, so he's got a plan. Gabbert's film is more impressive on each viewing, and I love Mallett's situation. Even Locker is a solid upside play in the 3rd or later. Im starting to think a shark move might be piling up picks from late 2nd to early 4th and taking more than one of these guys

I agree about Ponder. Didn't he have about 30 ints or something like that last year? The QB I like from this group is Andy Dalton. I'm reading good things about him even though he doesn't have the strong arm. I think what's between the ears of QBs is more important.

Ponder had a QB rating of 135 with 20 td and 8 ints last year. There were only two games where he threw for multiple INTs. the years preceding this, he threw for 14/7 (9 games) and 14/13 (13 games). at this point, i think ponder is really being under-rated. he's going into a great situation. the consistent knock against him has been health. he looked good in the senior bowl and impressed folks - described often as "the most accurate passer" - in the combine. his arm strength limits him some but he's in a WCO where his accuracy and decision-making will serve him very well. if sidney sticks around, he's got the tools to put up good numbers for a rookie.

Maybe I was thinking about career ints. I live in Viking country and a guy at work said some negative things about Ponder and his interceptions. How many career ints does Ponder have? What was his td/int ratio for his college career?

the numbers aren't bad really but especially so when you consider how largely talentless FSU has been the past few years. 20/8 last year. 14/7 in the 9 games he played the year before that (300 yards per game through the air too) and 14/13 his first year as a starter.again, he's not going to be mistaken for luck or a manning but he helped himself nicely in the senior bowl and at the combine. he's not being asked to carry the team nor is he without weapons in Minnesota. i think if he stays healthy then he knows how to play within himself.

 

[John 14:6]

Im warming to all except Ponder the more I watch them and think about their situations. Certainly Kaepernick has the right coach to succeed, and Gruden has been gushing about Dalton for weeks, so he's got a plan. Gabbert's film is more impressive on each viewing, and I love Mallett's situation. Even Locker is a solid upside play in the 3rd or later. Im starting to think a shark move might be piling up picks from late 2nd to early 4th and taking more than one of these guys

I agree about Ponder. Didn't he have about 30 ints or something like that last year? The QB I like from this group is Andy Dalton. I'm reading good things about him even though he doesn't have the strong arm. I think what's between the ears of QBs is more important.

Ponder had a QB rating of 135 with 20 td and 8 ints last year. There were only two games where he threw for multiple INTs. the years preceding this, he threw for 14/7 (9 games) and 14/13 (13 games). at this point, i think ponder is really being under-rated. he's going into a great situation. the consistent knock against him has been health. he looked good in the senior bowl and impressed folks - described often as "the most accurate passer" - in the combine. his arm strength limits him some but he's in a WCO where his accuracy and decision-making will serve him very well. if sidney sticks around, he's got the tools to put up good numbers for a rookie.

Maybe I was thinking about career ints. I live in Viking country and a guy at work said some negative things about Ponder and his interceptions. How many career ints does Ponder have? What was his td/int ratio for his college career?

the numbers aren't bad really but especially so when you consider how largely talentless FSU has been the past few years. 20/8 last year. 14/7 in the 9 games he played the year before that (300 yards per game through the air too) and 14/13 his first year as a starter.again, he's not going to be mistaken for luck or a manning but he helped himself nicely in the senior bowl and at the combine. he's not being asked to carry the team nor is he without weapons in Minnesota. i think if he stays healthy then he knows how to play within himself.

I'm afraid he's going to get killed behind that oline... :(

 

[Crippler]

1. Kaepernick. I like the tools he has to work with for the future. He wont start day 1 but I see Josh Freeman like qualities here. He has nice targets to throw too. An excellent O line and a great coach. Add in a huge arm, smarts and the running ability and just like what I see for him. He is a target in all leagues for dynasty.

2. Gabbert. Jacksonville has been pretty good place for fantasy numbers. This kid is also smart and has nice physical tools to succeed. If Garrard can than why not here. Have to wait a year but than watch out

3. Dalton. cincy has some tools to work with for him. HE should get chance pretty quickly to play. Just worry about his arm

4. Newton. I dont like the situation. I dont like the attitude to go along with the money. While he has great tools, I dont know if he has the smarts to succeed and this team has no weapons to work with if Smith is traded. Would be bad. I see too much Russell here when the cash comes

5. Ponder. Went to a nice situation and is most pro ready to start immediately. Has nice targets to throw too also and excellent supporting cast. But the OL was not good last year and hopefully this does not impact him. Brett got called last year. Plus alot of pressure on him and I dont know if this helps a QB early

6. Mallett. He would be higher if he went to MIami. He will have a chip on his shoulder and has a great arm. But you will be waiting 4 or 5 years to benefit and that is a long time. Alot of leagues are dead by than.

7. Stanzi. I like the place he went and this is Cassell and not Brady. He could be successful but dont like that he got drafted so last

8. Locker. He will go way too high for my liking and I see Kyle Boller with the accuracy questions. If Young could not succeed, than I dont see it for this guy either. I will let others have him

 

[Dr. Octopus]

He is not Drew Brees, but he's better than Chad Pennington

he is a heavy dog to be as good as pennington, cmon.

A heavy dog? Im not sure about that.

I like Dalton a bunch, but I think people forget (or didn't really pay attention) how good Chad Pennington really was. In every year that he stayed healthy for 16 games his team was in the playoffs (did it with two different teams, including one that was 1-15 the year before he got there). He had uncanny accuracy, was extremely smart, was a low tunrnover guy, a fiery leader, and threw a better deep ball than anyone ever gave him credit for. It was the "out" routes that stretched the limits of his "weak" arm, not deep passes.Health was the downfall of his career. Dude just couldn't catch a break.If Cinncy could sign up for Chad Pennington without the injury history right now, they should jump on that.

 

[az_prof]

Im warming to all except Ponder the more I watch them and think about their situations. Certainly Kaepernick has the right coach to succeed, and Gruden has been gushing about Dalton for weeks, so he's got a plan. Gabbert's film is more impressive on each viewing, and I love Mallett's situation. Even Locker is a solid upside play in the 3rd or later. Im starting to think a shark move might be piling up picks from late 2nd to early 4th and taking more than one of these guys

Why not Ponder? Doesn't he have the best situation and one that is suited to his strengths? First, he has an elite RB to hand the ball off to. Second, IF the Vikings keep Rice, between Rice and Harvin he has two excellent, young WRs. The offense is supposed to be geared to his strength and he won't be asked to throw deep, so his lack of arm strength won't matter.

 

[MU Seminole]

Im warming to all except Ponder the more I watch them and think about their situations. Certainly Kaepernick has the right coach to succeed, and Gruden has been gushing about Dalton for weeks, so he's got a plan. Gabbert's film is more impressive on each viewing, and I love Mallett's situation. Even Locker is a solid upside play in the 3rd or later. Im starting to think a shark move might be piling up picks from late 2nd to early 4th and taking more than one of these guys

I agree about Ponder. Didn't he have about 30 ints or something like that last year? The QB I like from this group is Andy Dalton. I'm reading good things about him even though he doesn't have the strong arm. I think what's between the ears of QBs is more important.

Ponder had a QB rating of 135 with 20 td and 8 ints last year. There were only two games where he threw for multiple INTs. the years preceding this, he threw for 14/7 (9 games) and 14/13 (13 games). at this point, i think ponder is really being under-rated. he's going into a great situation. the consistent knock against him has been health. he looked good in the senior bowl and impressed folks - described often as "the most accurate passer" - in the combine. his arm strength limits him some but he's in a WCO where his accuracy and decision-making will serve him very well. if sidney sticks around, he's got the tools to put up good numbers for a rookie.

Maybe I was thinking about career ints. I live in Viking country and a guy at work said some negative things about Ponder and his interceptions. How many career ints does Ponder have? What was his td/int ratio for his college career?

the numbers aren't bad really but especially so when you consider how largely talentless FSU has been the past few years. 20/8 last year. 14/7 in the 9 games he played the year before that (300 yards per game through the air too) and 14/13 his first year as a starter.again, he's not going to be mistaken for luck or a manning but he helped himself nicely in the senior bowl and at the combine. he's not being asked to carry the team nor is he without weapons in Minnesota. i think if he stays healthy then he knows how to play within himself.

Relatively (to historic FSU teams) talentless on offense, yes. But another very important issue that's being overlooked is how awful FSU's defense was in 2009. They ranked 90+ in most major defensive categories. The offense had to score every time they had the ball in order to be competitive, losing to Miami 38-34, Ga Tech 49-44, beating NC St 45-42, etc. The offensive line was two years removed from without question being among the worst of all BCS conference schools. The WRs were young and unreliable, often running the wrong routes. In nine '09 starts, Ponder still went 227-330-2,717-14-7 (68.8%). That's a 147.7 rating and averages to 25-37-302 per game. Even under these circumstances he had a 69% completion rate and threw less than one pick per game on 37 attempts per game. More people need to be looking at his 2009 season, IMO, to get a sense of what he can do.

 

[mr roboto]

Im warming to all except Ponder the more I watch them and think about their situations. Certainly Kaepernick has the right coach to succeed, and Gruden has been gushing about Dalton for weeks, so he's got a plan. Gabbert's film is more impressive on each viewing, and I love Mallett's situation. Even Locker is a solid upside play in the 3rd or later. Im starting to think a shark move might be piling up picks from late 2nd to early 4th and taking more than one of these guys

Why not Ponder? Doesn't he have the best situation and one that is suited to his strengths? First, he has an elite RB to hand the ball off to. Second, IF the Vikings keep Rice, between Rice and Harvin he has two excellent, young WRs. The offense is supposed to be geared to his strength and he won't be asked to throw deep, so his lack of arm strength won't matter.

It seems people are forgetting to mention Shank. Yes Harvin and Rice are great, but for a young accurate QB with average arm strength a reliable, big TE will do wonders for him. Especially with defenses stacking the box for AP. Chip block and run a quick route in the flat should be Shanks preferred method of getting open with Ponder under center. I know they drafted Rudolph but maybe we will see 2-TE sets a la NE. Then I think Rice suffers the most.

 

[by_the_sea_wannabe]

Jake Locker

Ryan Mallet

Blaine Gabbert

Colin Kapaernick

Andy Dalton

Cam Newton

Christian Ponder

Ricky Stanzi

TJ Yates

Tyrod Tyler 

 

[Clifford]

1.mallet

Won't see much of the field next two years, but I expect to start in his third and he will be great.#1 on pats board.

2. caepernick

He needs to bulk up but I liked what I saw in school

3. Newton

Betting he flames out like an idiot but if he doesn't his upside blows everyone else away

4. Locker

He has no choice but to succeed. He has talent. Well see.

The rest are either career backups or out of the league in three years.

 

[mcintyre1]

Wow, reading this thread shows that the value on these guys is all over the map. Like Bloom mentioned earlier, I've stockpiled 2-4th round picks with the hope of grabbing at least 2 of these guys. I haven't watched enough film on these guys to know for sure, but initially I'd rank them like this:

1. Gabbert - He just has the "feel" of a quality NFL starter. I like his accuracy, he's got a good arm, and I think he's got a good head on his shoulders. Not sexy, but solid. Best case scenario: Regular finisher at the back end of the top 10.

2. Cam Newton - I don't like him, but I can't deny the talent. He's got a great arm, and has shown the work ethic to go from JC to Heisman and National Champion in a year. That said, I think there's a huge bust potential here. Very high risk/reward type. Don't grab him with the intention of relying on him, think of him as a lottery ticket. Best case scenario: Mick Vick-lite, capable of top 5 finishes

3. Christian Ponder - Physically, I don't think he's that gifted. However, he's a smart player with enough tools to get the job done, and I love the situation as it currently stands. Rice, Harvin, and Peterson could make him look great. Best case scenario: Top 15 numbers on a consistent basis.

4. Andy Dalton - He fits the mold of a Brees-like player. Heady, hard worker, not elite physical tools. Do I think he'll reach Brees levels? Absolutely not, but he could be a solid QB2. For an NFL comparison, I might look at Colt McCoy. There will always be questions about his arm strength, just like McCoy. Best case scenario: Top 15 numbers in a good year, Top 25 regularly.

5. Ryan Mallet - Love the tools, even the mental aspect of his game, but the knucklehead factor is too high, and the situation is pretty dreadful. Only draft this guy if you have the luxury of sitting on him for 3 years and maybe never getting anything out of him. Best case scenario: Traded by the Pats for a 1st round pick in two years, becomes the next Matt Schaub with a better arm.

6. Colin Kaepernick - Very similar to Newton. I think he has the physical tools to succeed, and has shown the work ethic. I feel there is similar bust risk to Newton, but for different reasons. Kaep doesn't have much in the way of character issues, but I'm just wary on his ability to meld into a pro offense. If Harbaugh is smart, he'll have Kaepernick doing things very similar to what he was doing in college. I think the NFL is due for an infusion of the innovations at the college level (namely, the Pistol and more open offenses with options routes for the receivers). Best case scenario: Top 10 running the Pistol in the Bay.

7. Jake Locker - I just don't like him as a player. I never saw the improvements one would expect throughout his career. Still struggles with accuracy, and I'll never forget that god-awful performance against Nebraska at the start of the season that cratered his value. I just don't think he'll ever become a good enough passer to hold a starting job. Best case scenario: QB2 for a couple years due to his rushing, replaced after the Titans have to blow it up again.

I don't plan on touching any of the QBs after these guys.