Missouri juniors Blaine Gabbert and Aldon Smith have filed their paperwork with the NFL Draft advisory committee.
Gabbert has a future in the NFL, but probably not until 2012.
Both have potential 1st-round ability, but I would be moderately surprised if either entered the draft. Missouri is coming off a surprisingly successful season, and could legitimately compete for a Big 12 title in 2010.
Additionally, both players still have a lot to prove in the college ranks.
Gabbert is a tremendously talented quarterback, but I believe he would get lost in the mix in this year’s draft. Assuming Andrew Luck, Ryan Mallett and Cam Newton all enter the draft, Gabbert could fall a long ways. By returning to school, he could elevate his stock to 1st-round status in 2012.
As for Smith, he is coming off a somewhat disappointing, injury-plagued season. He missed three games with a broken leg, and only recored 4.5 sacks – seven fewer than his total in 2009.
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