This 2011 draft class had some very interesting QB picks in the early rounds. Some surprises, some right where they were anticipated to go.

I think that most head coaches in the NFL are a bit hesitant to throw a young kid into the season from the start. They are still young, learning the speed of the professional game. College ball is a different game, in several facets, the way the QB is managed, the hash marks, often playing in a spread offense, scoring 45+ points/game.

When a team is drafting a QB early in the draft, the first 1 or 2 rounds, your team is looking for help in the abrupt future. Then the decision comes, when are you going to let the kid play? It’s always a risk as to how the player is going to turn out. Obviously, over the years, we have seen countless fail and many succeed, taking that guy in one of the early rounds, is putting a lot of conviction in the player to take the reigns. One must just survive the process and let it play out.

Let’s take a look at a few of the early QBs taken. Most rookie QBs that start off the top struggle immensely, let’s see how these kids do.

Cam Newton to the Panthers at the number 1. The Panthers were atrocious last year, when you win a total of 2 games in 2010. Play your pick. You know your season is shot before now, let him build for the future; let him make his mistakes, see what you drafted in action. Newton has looked reasonable so far in the preseason, so we’ll see. He certainly can’t be any worse than the quarterbacking was there last season at 53% completions and only 9 TD passes as a team. Newton will be expected play 16 games.

Jake Locker to the Titans at 8th. The Titans are ready for Locker, who has been very nice so far. But he will get to sit for awhile behind Hasselbeck, who they brought in to counsel. Matt knows this isn’t a long term thing in Tennessee, he’s there to hold the fort and then let Locker take over. Depending on how the season is going for Tennessee, is where Locker stands, I think. Most likely, Hasselbeck keeps them going, but if they start off real poorly, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Locker get in. Locker may play 4-5 games.

Blaine Gabbert to the Jags at 10. QB David Garrard is still trying to hold it down. Gabbert will likely be the starter by midseason, if the Jags are as bad in moving the ball in the air as they were last year. Gabbert will likely play 5-8 games

Surprising Christian Ponder to Minnesota at 12. One of the “on the brink” teams. Minnesota, drafting Ponder was a surprise, but McNabb is a great teacher for Ponder to learn from, Ponder looked respectable in his games this pre season, throwing 14-25 and 147 yards. Ponder will likely sit the season, unless McNabb gets hurt, or the McNabb experiment bombs terribly.

Although the Bengals snagged Andy Dalton early in the 2nd round. Who else do the Bengals have? Seriously? Bruce Gradkowski? Dan LeFevour? Dalton, who has been adequate so far early will likely still be starting 12 games or more.

And finally, the steal of the draft may be the guy who won’t play at all this season or likely next season either. Ryan Mallett landed in a great situation. He can sit and learn from a future hall of famer in Tom Brady for 2 or 3 years, similar to an Aaron Rodgers situation, but without an arrogant over aged QB ego fighting his position. Let’s keep an eye on these young guys and see who we are still talking about in 2-3 years as studs or duds.

Mike Anthony from VegasTopDogs.com