Best QB in this draft

Submitted by lukepanici on

Cam Newton: I dont think he will be a bust or a stud. Average qb

Blaine Gabbert: Bust. Played in an offense where it's difficult not to put up stellar numbers. Has a quirky delivery and I don't see any film of him making throws that translate to the NFL and make you think that very few others can make.

Jake Locker: Another bust. Good arm strength, VERY spotty accuracy and an ugly delivery.

Andy Dalton: Career back up

Ryan Mallett: Better version of JaMarcus Russell

Colin Kaepernick: Poor man's Vince Young. Wont amount to much at all

BEST QB IN THE DRAFT: Ricky Stanzi. Mark it down.

Any opinions?

bronxblue

April 28th, 2011 at 10:07 PM ^

Newton will be a slightly better version of Vince Young if everything breaks his way, which it won't in Carolina.  I'm actually not as down on Ponder as others - guy is a decent QB who can move around.  Locker will be a bust, and Gabbert looks like a Joey Harrington-type: looks like a QB but might not have it all together.

I'm high on Mallet - kid can make the throws and has a little edge to him.  I doubt any of these QBs will be top-3 in the league at any point in their careers, but I expect Mallet to be breaking WRs fingers for years to come.  Also, Tacopants will be going in the bottom of the 2nd - book it.

vaneasy2338

April 29th, 2011 at 12:32 AM ^

Locker has huge accuracy issues.

Colin Kapernick has an extremely long release.

Ponder has questionable arm strenght with injury issues. 

Newton is coming from the simplest offense, and many are concerned with his work ethic.

Mallett biggest problem is that he has lead feet in the pocket (not to the extent people believe), and he can force the issue under pressure. The fact that such a talented qb is still on the board shows  that there is probably confirmed drug use.

vaneasy2338

April 29th, 2011 at 1:06 AM ^

the kid because you dont. Yes him falling indicates that there is probably confirmed drug use. But until it goes public I wont pass judgement. And dont try to say he has a poor work ethic because his teammates, and coaches have all denied that many times. If you watched the Jon Gruden camp it wasnt hard to tell the kid does his homework. Best on the chalkboard by far. Passing judgements on hearsay is naive imho.

Michigan4Life

April 29th, 2011 at 1:35 AM ^

he said Mallett had huge drug problems and it was known that he used meth before the drug rumor started.  He watched Mallett privately in practice and interviewed people.  It was indicated that Mallett is much more interested in partying than film study for football.  He made so many dumb decisions which tells you that he doesn't really study much films.

It's not based on hearsay.  I do know this for a fact that Mallett's off-field problem is a huge, huge issue(not limited to drug problem).

Michigan4Life

April 29th, 2011 at 12:58 AM ^

Good size, athletic ability.  Can throw the ball(actually throws harder than Ryan Mallett which is surprising).  Showed major improvement from freshman year to senior year in terms of reading defense, footwork and mechanics.  My concern is his mechanics and footwork but his footwork has improved leaps and bound from junior year.

illinoisblue

April 29th, 2011 at 2:18 AM ^

You can mark this down...Ricky Stanzi will NOT I repeat will NOT have a better career than Blaine Gabbert or Newton.. I would place a wager. You can remember this thread so I can tell you I told you so in three years. Stanzi doesn't have the accuracy or arm strength to be an elite NFL quarterback just a decent college one.

Magnus

April 29th, 2011 at 7:20 AM ^

Whichever team drafts Mallett needs to send him to rehab immediately.  Don't come to training camp, don't come to the pre-season, whatever.  Go straight to rehab, even if he misses his rookie year.

And if he gets his stupidity straightened out, then he could be awesome.

michiganfanforlife

April 29th, 2011 at 8:10 AM ^

Cam Newton =Jamarcus Russel (total bust and a waste of 50 million)

Ryan Mallet = Philip Rivers (the dude reminds me of him, cocky and a great passer)

Ricki Stanzi = Jake DelHomme (interception machine)

Jake Locker = Matt Schaub (moment of greatness and stupidity) 

Andy Dalton = Rich Gannon (late bloomer, backup until late in career - then really good)

Christian Ponder = Carson Palmer (Good start to career and a fading back half) 

 

bacon

April 29th, 2011 at 9:19 AM ^

I think falling to a later round will help Mallet. Not necessarily because it makes him feel like he has something to prove to the league or anything, but because he'll have less money to spend partying.

MichLove

April 29th, 2011 at 10:23 AM ^

Although he was without a doubt a reach to take at 12, I think that Ponder could easily wind up being the most successful QB in this draft class. He is going into a great situation in Minn (other than dealing with Suh and Fairley now). He will most likely start right away so I expect a very inconsistent year like most rookie QBs have when they are forced to play right away.

Ponder is a very accurate passer and a very smart kid. He doesn't have a laser rocket arm that you would like to be able to stretch the field with. While the big arm gunslinger is always a very attractive option, the accurate Ponder might be exactaly what the Vikings need.

thisisme08

April 29th, 2011 at 10:27 AM ^

I honestly think Mallet will be better than 90% of these QB's as long as the team he ends up at will go the Green Bay route and sit him for a year or two.  Newton will be a for sure bust, he has other things on his mind besides football (i'm an entertainer).  I would of for sure NEVER picked Locker or Ponder that high. 

I value my QB's on how much they won in college, it may not be the best metric but success has a way of breeding more success of which FSU and Wash did not have a lot of and those are my 2 cents. 

Crime Reporter

April 29th, 2011 at 10:36 AM ^

There were a lot of QB's taken last night, and to be honest, I'm not sure who, if any of them, will pan out. I think Cam Newton has the potential, but I'm not sold on Locker or Ponder especially.

Mallett could be a decent pro, but the breakout star will likely be someone not getting as much love as the other guys. It always happens.

Amaizeinblue

April 29th, 2011 at 10:40 AM ^

I don't know about anyone else, but I like McElroy as a sleeper pick if I'm Indy, Green Bay or a team like that with an established starter where he can learn behind a guy like a Manning, Rodgers, etc. I know there's delivery issues and people say his arm isn't strong but it looks like he's got decent throwing power, he's very accurate, great pedigree and he's a really smart kid who will take criticism well and build off of it. I think given the right situation to be coached up he would be a really good QB come 2-3 years from now. If I'm a GM who needs a backup to be mentored I'm snatching him up.

Steve in PA

April 29th, 2011 at 11:21 AM ^

The best Qb in the draft will be the veteran who gets traded draft picks for.  I don't think any of these guys are starters in 3 years and none are franchise Qb's.  I also think the Panthers took Cam because of name recognition in the region.  They need to sell tickets even more than they need to win.

 

*When I make statements like these I'm reminded of the ESPN fantasy football commercial where the actors are bagging on guys like Rothlesberger.

fatbastard

April 29th, 2011 at 11:29 AM ^

Jake Locker and think he could be very good in 3-4 years.  Mallet has talent on top of talent.  However, he likely suffers from Jeff George syndrome.   Depending on how far he drops, maybe he'll come around in his attitude.  I don't particularly like any of them beyond that.  Tho, if I had to pick one, I'd take Gabbert. 

UofM Die Hard …

April 29th, 2011 at 5:22 PM ^

I think Mallet has a pretty high ceiling if he uses his damn head.  You have a gift you shit head, use it wisely.

 

I remember when he was arguing with Carr at the Wiconsin game  (I think that was the game), I wanted to jump through the TV and smack the shit out of him.

a2bluefan

April 29th, 2011 at 12:59 PM ^

When they're not playing the Lions, I root for the Panthers (I grew up in NC). I am very bummed that they selected Newton rather than either Locker or Gabbert. I have a feeling the whole scandal at Auburn is just not over yet, and this could eventually turn into a huge distraction. I also tend to think as some others do above that Newton will simply be a big ol' bust.

Funny how most thought this wasn't a great draft year for QBs.... yet 4 were chosen top 12. I guess if you don't have a QB option, you have to take one. Still... none of these guys seem like the type of player you'd expect to build a team around.

 

mackbru

April 29th, 2011 at 2:30 PM ^

I find it hard to get excited about any of the QBs taken in the first round. None were lights-out passers in college; none seem close to pro-ready. I see guys who will fall somewhere between solid-but-unspectacular and journeyman. And, given the first-round contracts, the cost-benefit sucks. 

I'd go with Gabbert. Could be a Mark Brunnell type.

The only QB who seems to have a truly high ceiling is...Mallett. Plenty of potential low-side, yes. But he's worth a mid-2nd-rounder. I could see the Pats making a man out of him, if anyone can.

 

chewieblue

April 29th, 2011 at 3:14 PM ^

Anyone know what the knock against Scott Tolzien was?  Size?  I thought the kid was pretty good.  I know they run it a ton at UW and maybe he didn't get much run because of that, but I think he would be a nice back-up.  Invite him in Lions.

UofM Die Hard …

April 29th, 2011 at 5:11 PM ^

As I live in Seattle, I have seen Locker play a few times in his 4 years at Washington.  Though I agree that he had VERY little talent to play with, when he had time and open guys he would miss badly and everyone noticed it. 

One thing that made him solid for UW was his threat to run, he is a fast and strong but as we all know that dont fly in the NFL.  Also, I agree he has shown the smarts to throw it away when in trouble but there were times this year that he threw it away when there was no reason to and there were open receivers, again people saw it and constantly harped on it on the sports radio over here.

As much as i hate to say this because I hate everything about UW, I have met Jake and he is really nice, very humble, smart guy and super dedicated but I just dont see him being a solid starter in the NFL, avg. at best.  But then again, Im no expert.