When the 2011 NFL Draft had completed, it was obvious that this season would be one focused on the eventual successes and failures of the QB class. So far, those QBs have not only been successful, but dominant in some cases. With the NFL lockout having a significant effect on the planning for the season, it seemed to be completely obvious that this year would be one of difficulty. Instead, we have seen each of the QBs that have played have success that seems to be more and more common these days.

Cam Newton

Although his record does not at all reflect the amount of production he has generated for a TERRIBLE team last year, Newton has hit the ground running. With another 3 TD passes today versus my Vikings, he has lit up defenses for scoring in the air and on the ground. Without Newton, the Panthers would be an absolute joke for a second consecutive year. I honestly believed he was going to flounder like other QBs of his ilk, and here we are, halfway through the year, and he has done everything to prove my assessment wrong. Newton’s cards have obviously responded in kind, much like Sam Bradford’s did last year. The difference between the two top picks is that Bradford was one game away from a playoff berth, whereas Cam’s performance has done little to show the Panthers are even close to a postseason appearance.

Andy Dalton

If there was one surprise this year, its Dalton’s ridiculous success in a black hole of losing history. It sure helps to have a guy like AJ Green to throw to, but Dalton has truly impressed so far this year. The Bengals have had some impressive wins this year, and he has been behind the majority of the plays leading to them. With 4 QBs drafted in the first round and two in the following rounds, there have really been quite a few reasons to believe that at least ONE of them would have a good run at it. I just never guessed that Dalton would be the one to win consistently. We still have yet to see what Locker and Kapaernick are all about, but Dalton definitely seems to be legit. Of course, with a rookie playing in Cincy, there is literally as little value as you can have in this hobby, and that is really unfortunate. Dalton deserves to be a top valued guy based on performance, especially considering the situation that went down this past off season with Carson palmer.

Christian Ponder

Regardless of what my buying habits may say, I have had doubts about the kind of future someone like Ponder might have. After two performances that have ended well above expectations, my tune may need to change a bit. Coming within a drive of beating the best team in the league, and then pulling off a win where the Vikings were behind by at least a touchdown at two points in the game, have definitely put him on a lot of collectors’ radar. Not only that, but the guy really does have a great personality. I love some of the comments he has made to the media, and that just shows how he is going to handle a lot of the pressure that comes with the job in Minnesota. Funny enough, Ponder has had top value because of how many Vikings collectors there are out there, and I dont see that stopping any time soon.

Blaine Gabbert

Coming into the weeks before the draft, it was generally understood that Gabbert would be the top seeded QB, even though he was not going to be the one drafted first. He ended up being drafted third behind Newton and Locker, and that is not a good situation, especially when you end up in Jacksonville. He has had a lot of problems getting going, but that is just as much a result of the quality of players around him than anything. Gabbert may end up being a serviceable pro, but he will need more help than a lot of the other QBs drafted in 2011.

Card companies have to be loving this, especially considering what it means to the value of their products. I would guess that once Five Star hits, we may have the most valuable rookie class in years, if not ever, mainly because of the impact these rookies have had on their teams. The hobby loves quarterbacks, even the mediocre ones, and when you have as many productive ones as you do this year, that is a VERY good thing. Lets hope they all keep it up, if not just to make sure our boxes arent as much of a dud as they could have been.