2011 NFL Draft Quarterbacks - The 2nd Tier

This is an addendum to my previous hub, NFL Draft 2011 Quarterback Class, which gives a summary of the skill-sets and weaknesses of the top four quarterbacks in the 2011 NFL draft, Blaine Gabbert, Ryan Mallet, Cameron Newton, and Jake Locker. This hub will pick up where the other left off and discuss the second tier of quarterbacks in the 2011 NFL Draft, none of whom is likely to be drafted in the first round.

There is definitely some value to be had in the later rounds this year and I think that at least one of the quarterbacks I've listed below will have a very successful NFL career as a starter. There are four quarterbacks that definitely have a chance to make an impact in the NFL: Ricky Stanzi, Christian Ponder, Andy Dalton, and Colin Kaepernick.

Stanzi was a three-year starter at Iowa and put up very solid numbers during his senior year, with 25 touchdowns and just 6 interceptions. He doesn't have a great arm, but can make all the throws, especially the fade route. He moves well in the pocket and has just enough speed to evade pressure and throw on the run. In addition, he lead a pro-style offense his whole career.

The biggest knock on Stanzi is that he just doesn't have the stand out physical tools that the Goliaths that make up the big four possess. Players are drafted on potential and Ricky Stanzi isn't someone that the scouts are going to fall in love with during workouts (Jamarcus Russell anyone?), and he did nothing to help himself in the senior bowl. That said, I don't think one can overlook the numbers he put up during his career. In fact, one analyst think's he's the best quarterback in the draft based on an algorithm he developed to better analyze college quarterbacks' effectiveness in the NFL. He definitely has a chance to surprise some people in the third round or later.

No quarterback in 2011 NFL Draft has had a better offseason than FSU's Christian Ponder. Like Jake Locker he had a senior season that was only okay after a much better junior year. Unlike Jake Locker, he has an excuse, he was injured. He dominated the Senior Bowl, has said all the right things during interviews, and has been great in his workouts. He's extremely fast, running a 4.6 40-yard dash and started in a pro-style offense for all three years as a starter. His biggest issue is his fragility. He played his 2010 season with an elbow injury and suffered a serious shoulder injury in 2009.  Scouts are undoubtedly concerned that these are the type of injuries that could ruin a promising quarterback's NFL career (think Chad Pennington).  This is what will likely keep him out of the first round, but I think there is a good chance he'll be a steal for someone in the second.

Andy Dalton isn't particularly exciting.  He's not huge or lightning quick.  He doesn't have a giant arm and didn't play for a big-time school.  What he is, however, is possibly the most consistent quarterback in the draft.  He lead TCU to 42 wins during his four years as a starter, culminating in a Rose Bowl win over Wisconsin.  During his senior season he put up 27 touchdowns and just six interceptions while completing 66% of his passes.  He has pretty solid speed and athleticism, running a 4.82 forty, took snaps under center in a pro-style offense, and has no character questions of any kind.  His biggest issues going into the draft are the level of competition he faced playing for a small school and his lack of elite size and arm strength.  However, I think someone will see past that and get great value by picking him in the third round, or possibly even the second.

Nevada's Colin Kaepernick definitely isn't going to come in and start for anyone as rookie. Running Nevada's "Pistol" offense isn't exactly something that translates well to NFL schemes. That said, someone will draft him in the third or fourth round as a project quarterback because of the incredible physical tools that he has. Kaepernick has made scouts drool with his 6'5" height, 4.5 40-yard dash time, and huge arm. There's not really much else to say about him simply because of the offense he ran at Nevada. His delivery, footwork, ability to read defenses all need lots of work, he needs to add a bit to his thin frame, and he was just plain bad in the Senior Bowl and in his final game with Nevada. I would look for someone who already has an established quarterback to pick him and give him a few years to ride the bench and adjust to the NFL game.

Do you think Pat Devlin or Greg Mcelroy deserve to be on here? Which of these four do you think have the best chance to succeed in the NFL? Let me know in the comments section.  Also, be sure to read my first article:  NFL Draft 2011 Quarterback Class.