Okay, after Christian Ponder day I have really been thinking about QB in the upcoming draft.  It seems Ponder has risen up draft boards recently and a lot of people have linked him to the Bills as a possible 2nd round pick.  It seems to me that Ponder may be the most NFL-ready QB prospect in this draft.  It also seems to me that his upside is relatively limited due to only average arm strength and injury history.  But I can't say I would be unhappy with him as a 2nd round pick.

But, as Nix has said, hopefully you don't to pick #3 in the draft very often.  And we have an opportunity to get a QB with the POTENTIAL to be elite.  I think Gabbert and Newton have physical gifts that Ponder does not have.  I think Ponder comes with a lot less risk and will get paid a lot less as a 2nd rounder.  And honestly, with Fitz, we don't need an 'NFL ready' QB right now.

My thoughts are that we should use this opportunity to go with the QB that has the chance to be elite and not just average to above average.  At his best, Ponder is probably a QB that can take a good team to the playoffs but will probably never be in the discussion for top 10 NFL QBs.  Gabbert and Newton both have the abilities (although a bit raw right now) to be a top 10 NFL QB in their prime.  They both have the raw ability that (if developed properly) could make an offense with average talent into a great offense.  Similar to how Peyton Manning and Brady raise the level of play of the entire offense and can make average WRs and offensive lines look great.

I know the risk of a bust is far greater with Gabbert and Newton.  And a bust with the #3 overall pick would really set us back even further.  But IF OBD sees the potential for either of these QBs to be a star, they have to take him at #3.  I am willing to take that risk and I won't second guess the decision 5 years from now if they do pick a QB at 3 and he busts.  But heaven forbid we pass on Gabbert or Newton and they are superstars 5 years from now and we are still looking for our franchise QB.  That would be something very difficult to live with.

So I say to OBD, roll the dice this year.  Take the chance to get a QB with elite skills and have confidence that Chan can mold them into a star.