The top seven quarterback prospects all went early in the 2011 NFL Draft, many of them earlier than expected. But each quarterback enters a different scenario with his new team, with unique circumstances determining how early they will be expected to contribute.

Defensive line saw the biggest move from the previous 10 drafts, with 12 guys getting plucked where an average of just under eight were taken in years prior.

The Jaguars have taken their dissatisfaction with QB David Garrard to the next level.

Cam Newton (No. 1 to Panthers), Jake Locker (No. 8 to Titans), Blaine Gabbert (No. 10 to Jaguars) and Christian Ponder (No. 12 to Vikings) were taken among the top 12 selections in the draft.

Jake Locker, and not Blaine Gabbert, was the second quarterback taken in the 2011 NFL Draft, as the Titans provided the first true surprise pick at eighth overall.

The Cardinals, one of many top-10 teams believed to need a quarterback, passed on the opportunity to select Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert with the fifth overall pick in the draft.

The third annual NFL.com mock draft, like its predecessors, was an interesting endeavor in looking at how the first round could ultimately play out, with NFL Network and NFL.com analysts playing the roles of general managers.

NEW YORK – It’s not the most formal of mock drafts, but the NFL Network’s third annual roundtable mock draft is one of our last looks at how the analysts see the first round of the NFL Draft unfolding.

Washington’s Jake Locker is going to be the third quarterback off the board, according to our draft expert Mike Mayock.

Three…more…days.

If you’re a draftnik, and if you think Mike Mayock and Mel Kiper are like Axl and Slash, then you know what’s in three days. The path to prime time is getting short, as draft weekend starts Thursday.

So if the NFL draft is just three days away, then what are some good draft 3s?

Has Christian Ponder moved into the first round? Our Vic Carucci certainly believes so.

NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock spent 90 minutes Wednesday on a conference call talking with reporters about the 2011 NFL Draft. Those 90 minutes proved to be a gold mine of pre-draft knowledge, with Mayock sharing his thoughts on many of the prospects and what NFL teams are thinking.

As the NFL Draft draws closer, the consensus is building among our NFL insiders and analysts that Cam Newton will be the first overall pick by the Carolina Panthers.

With the draft quickly closing in, NFL Network analysts Michael Lombardi and Charley Casserly fielded a variety of questions Wednesday during a conference call with reporters from around the country.

If you had to start your NFL franchise with one of the following three quarterbacks — Matthew Stafford, Mark Sanchez or Josh Freeman — who would you choose?