topbar_roster
thisgivensunday theoutsidecorner crossoverchronicles puckdrunklove crystalballrun runthefloor

5. Arizona Cardinals: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

Written by Andrew Strickert on 29 March 2011.

Despite having an All-Pro WR, the Cardinals had the next to worst aerial attack in the NFL last year and they should be delighted if Blaine Gabbert is still available at #5 on Draft Day.  Gabbert is considered to be the most NFL-ready QB and should be able to start this season and revive the Cardinals' passing game.  Sam Bradford, Matthew Stafford, Mark Sanchez, Josh Freeman, Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco are all recent proof that rookie quarterbacks can start, and succeed, so there's no reason Gabbert can't do the same.
 
Arizona's #2 priority is a 3-4 edge rusher so I also gave strong consideration to LB Von Miller, who is arguably the best player on the board and would cure a lot of defensive woes, but when you have an opportunity to draft a franchise QB, you have to do so.
 
Here's the scouting report on Gabbert and following is the analysis of this pick, both courtesy of Eric Galko of Optimum Scouting:
　
Finding a franchise quarterback has to be the number one priority for the Cardinals, and with the Lockout restricting their ability to trade for Carson Palmer and Kevin Kolb or trade for Donovan McNabb, they'll need to look to the draft to find one. Gabbert isn't as clear-cut of a prospect as recent Top 5 quarterbacks like Matt Ryan, Matt Stafford, Mark Sanchez, and Sam Bradford, but he's got all the tools that coach Ken Whisenhunt wants in a quarterback and is the most NFL ready quarterback of this class.