The 2011 NFL regular season is coming to its end and several teams have their eyes fixed firmly on development and recruitment.
Quarterbacks generally draw the majority of media speculation but this year, only a small number of teams looks likely to draft a signal caller with their first selections.
The Indianapolis Colts, Washington Redskins and Seattle Seahawks lead the list of teams in need of a QB and may all use their first selections on the field’s most important position.
Teams with no depth behind their starting QB’s will look for bargains in the latter rounds to draft their project QB’s of the future. These teams include the Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars, San Diego Chargers and Atlanta Falcons.
Here are the top College prospects likely to nominate for the 2012 NFL Draft.
Andrew Luck, Stanford Cardinal
For 18 months, Luck has been named as a certainty to go first overall when he eventually nominates for the draft. Bypassing the 2011 draft, Luck has continued as the most complete player in a professional sense capable of transitioning immediately into the NFL.
Composed in the pocket running an NFL style offence, he continues to be compared to Peyton Manning as the best QB prospect of their generation.
As the first Stanford QB to win the starting job as a Freshman since 1996, Luck has led the Cardinal 31-6 as starter. Having thrown 80 touchdowns for 21 interceptions and seven rushing touchdowns, Luck has a college QB rating of 161.8 and will be drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with the first overall selection if he chooses to nominate for the draft.
As a Junior, Luck still has the option to withhold his nomination and play one more year at Stanford.
Matt Barklay, USC Trojans
Produced from the QB factory, Barklay looks set to join the list of USC QB’s to go in the first round. Past USC products include Caron Palmer, Matt Leinart and Mark Sanchez.
Since winning the starting job for the Trojans as a freshman, Barklay is 27-9 as starter throwing 80 touchdowns and 33 interceptions. With strong leg strength, Barklay remains one of the toughest college QB’s to sack. In 12 games this season, Barclay has thrown for 3528 yards to be sacked only 8 times.
Long term, Barclay may be just as good as Andrew Luck but will be drafted after his Stanford counterpart because Luck will transition faster. Seattle looks the most likely destination for Barklay under coach Pete Carroll who coached the Trojans between 2001-2009 to four national championships.
Kellen Moore, Boise State Broncos
Moore is 47-3 as a starting QB and the most decorated player heading into the draft. He finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting last year and is one of three finalists for the award in 2011 alongside Andrew Luck and RB Trent Richardson.
A traditional QB (he has never finished the year with positive rushing yards), Moore earned the starting job as a freshman to throw 125 touchdowns for a mere 25 interceptions with an average QB rating of 169.1.
Currently studying his Masters degree, Moore’s academic ability is strongly reflected in his play calling and leadership. A Washington native, he will be strongly considered by Mike Shanahan and the Washington Redskins who have had little luck with unconventional passers. Shanahan saw the majority of his success in the 90’s with John Elway behind centre, whom Moore is not dissimilar to.
Robert Griffin III, Baylor Bears
Griffin is the unconventional QB that every draft has. A college passer with an excellent running game, Griffon is best compared to NFL QB Michael Vick.
In 2011, Griffin has led the Bears to 8-3 passing for 3678 yards, 34 touchdowns for only five interceptions while rushing another 612 yards for seven touchdowns for the highest average College QB rating of 191.1, his lowest game being 143.7.
In the last two years teams have taken gambles on unconventional QB’s in the first round with Cam Newton and Tim Tebow both selected. Griffin is most likely to go to a team with a young head coach which may rule him out of being selected in the first round but will not slip past the third.
Landry Jones, Oklahoma Sooners
Leading the Sooners 9-2, Jones is a traditional QB similar to his predecessor Sam Bradford (#1 overall selection in 2010). Jones however, is unlikely to go in the first round due to the limited number of teams who will be in need of a QB in the first round.
Gifted with one of the nation’s best college offensive lines, Jones similarity to Sam Bradford may work against him. Bradford, who is still adjusting to a professional offence, may push Jones down on several draft boards due to their inability to play behind an excellent line.
Completing 61% (the lowest of the above QB’s) for 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2011 for a rating of 148, Jones will need an excellent post season appearance to warrant him being drafted above mid-second round.
The college season will be entering its post-season in the coming weeks and the above players will draw NFL recruiters from around the country. All will be drafted but their performance in pressure games with championships on the line will dictate how high.
For several NFL teams, the time has come to look to next season.
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