by Steve Shoup
2011 NFL Draft QB Rankings
August 24, 2010 in Uncategorized by Steve Shoup
1. Jake Locker-Washington: Locker would have been in consideration for the top pick this year had he declared, and barring a major injury or implosion should hear his name called at the top of the draft next year. Despite not having some of the elite weapons his competition possesses, Locker had a great season last year, and should only improve this year. He has all the size and tools you look for in a franchise caliber quarterback and should have a bright NFL future.
2. Andrew Luck-Stanford: Luck is the reason Stanford fans are excited for their chances despite losing top running back Toby Gerhart. Luck was just a redshirt Freshman last season and he put up some big numbers. Now that the gloves will come off the expectation is that Luck will be one of the top arms in the nation. Luck has great NFL size to go along with his big arm. And while he is younger he has shown good decision making and touch. The fact that he is just a redshirt sophomore might lead to some questions about Luck so he will need to have an excellent season to declare and keep his top-10 pick status. While some concerns are there if he goes to a situation where he can learn for a year or two behind a solid incumbent starter he could really benefit.
3. Ryan Mallett-Arkansas: Mallett has an absolute cannon for an arm and the best size of any quarterback. He put up great numbers last year and needs to follow it up with another big season. He lost a year due to transfer rules so he is a bit older for a junior (and doesn’t have the amount of game tape you’d expect for a 22 year old), but really improved last year. He still needs to work on his touch and decision making, but his NFL future is bright. I expect a big year out of Mallett and wouldn’t be surprised if he forced his way into top-10 status. Right now he is more of a late 1st rounder, but he will most likely move up.
4. Nick Foles-Arizona: Foles had an impressive year for the Wildcats and could be a breakout quarterback this year. If he does improve how most people are expecting he could end up declaring early for the draft and should be a first round candidate. Foles has great size to go along with a good arm and solid athleticism. He doesn’t have a lot to work with in the desert which have kept his numbers down, but the talent is real. I’d say its a 50/50 shot that he declares right now, but if he does he is a good developmental QB.
5. Christian Ponder-Florida State: Ponder has really improved throughout his college career, to the point where he should get some 1st round consideration. I think he is more of a mid-2nd to early 3rd round prospect, but he definitely could improve his status. He’s got good size, but he lacks the top flight arm most are looking for in a top QB. He is accurate and makes good decisions when under pressure. If he continues to perform this season he could enter the first round discussion (especially if one or more of the above QB’s decide not to declare). I don’t think he will ever be a franchise quarterback, but he should develop into a solid starter.
Other names to watch:
Pat Devlin-Delaware: Devlin needs to have a big year, but the last Delaware QB that transfered from a major Pennsylvania college to Delaware (Joe Flacco) is doing pretty well. He has that kind of potential and if his numbers match a 1st round selection isn’t out of the realm of possibility.
Terelle Pryor- Amazing size and athleticism to go along with a cannon arm. If he takes the necessary steps to become more of a thrower (and more accurate) then the sky is the limit for Pryor. He still has another year of eligblity so he will have to have a first round grade to declare, but he is an intriguing prospect.
Jerrod Johnson- Texas A&M- Johnson has almost the same size, athletic ability and arm combo that Pryor has, and he is a senior. He won’t likely be a first round pick, but if his accuracy keeps developing he could be an early Round 2 selection.
Love it. Three Pac-10 in the top 5. Great for the conference, and I think well deserved for the QBs. Think if Masoli wasn’t a dumbass he might have had a chance to be up there somewhere (maybe not first round, but somewhere)?
Thanks for this analysis. Looking forward to seeing how it pans out!
Masoli would be up there but not quite first round level. While he is a very productive college QB he lacks the typical size of an NFL QB, not to mention he is still more of a runner than passer. I would say he was in the 3rd-4th round range, but now likely probably more like the 5th-6th round range and will need to have a HUGE season to keep that status.
The Pac-10 will be good this year because of their depth, but I don’t know if they have a true National Contender (sad to say but I would have put Oregon there if not for Masoli). Washington and Arizona have good QB’s but not sure if they have the teams to go with them. Oregon State and Stanford are quality teams but they are more like bottom of the Top-25, rather than national contenders. Oregon and USC have the most talent, but off the field issues have sapped them of some of it, as well as creating major distractions. It will be a fun year in the Pac-10 but I don’t think it end like people thought it would a year ago.