2011 Fantasy Football Rookie Report: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Posted by Andy Miley on 08/11/2011 | 0 Comments

Tags: fantasy football, dynasty, keeper, rookies, nfl draft, jacksonville jaguars, qb, blaine gabbert, david garrard, mjd, cam newton, marcedes lewis

The Jags, finally, decided to make a move towards a quarterback of the future in the 2011 NFL Draft.  David Garrard continues to be a fighter, but he is an adequate leader putting up mediocre numbers.  Maurice Jones-Drew's efforts to keep on playing on one good leg (showing tremendous heart) could not bring Jacksonville a division title.  If not for MJD and the huge year from TE Marcedes Lewis (rewarded with a new contract worth $35 million over 5 years), I doubt if the Jags would have been so close to defeating the Indianapolis Colts for the AFC South Division crown.  Gabbert is already being compared to Ben Roethlisberger in the media, let's slow that down a bit. 

Blaine Gabbert - QB – Jacksonville Jaguars

Height: 6’5” Weight: 233 lbs College: Missouri

2010 Stats: 301-475 for 3,186 passing yards, 6.7 YPC, 16 TDs, 9 interceptions and  added 112-232 rushing, 2.07 YPC, 5 TDs

Scouting Report-  Blaine Gabbert was drafted to lead the Jaguars out of Jacksonville.  The Jags are a small market team that has problems selling out their stadium and other than the Prada loving MJD, they are lacking in star power.  Gabbert brings a cannon of an arm to the league which compares well to Mr. Cam Newton's arm in Carolina.  Gabbert has good accuracy, the proper footwork along with scrambling ability (4.62 40 time), solid decision-making, nice pocket awareness, and good durability.  He can put the ball only where the receiver can make the catch.  Gabbert needs to improve his ability to slow down the defense by adding more fake hand-offs and pump fakes. 

2011 Analysis-  David Garrard has started off camp with a back injury so everyone will get a longer look at Gabbert versus the Patriots.  Garrard plays the QB position very physically with little regard, so we may see Gabbert sooner than later if injury strikes.  Keep in mind, HC Del Rio wants to keep his job and Garrard is the Jags best chance to win.  Once Jacksonville is emilinated from the playoff hunt, I would expect Gabbert to play the rest of the 2011 regular season.  He has limited 2011 upside, but is a great #3 QB in a dynasty/keeper league.  I would expect a season total of 1,200 passing yards with 5 TDs and 7 ints by starting the last 5-6 games.

Compares To: a much bigger Rich Gannon, Josh Freeman