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The lockout couldn’t stop the draft from happening. The lingering battle between owners and players looks like it’ll be handled and keep football going for a little longer. We’ll all have to see. Day one of the NFL Draft came and to no surprise featured a plethora of quarterbacks being drafted. It happens in waves in the NFL. 1999, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2009 all featured many first round quarterbacks that are staples in today’s game.

This new class of 2011 though has a feel similar to the 1999 class. Expectations are heightened and teams are ready for this new wave. Too many teams were in need of a true talented quarterback. Starting journeyman veterans or settling for back and forth quarterback battles, was getting old. Even worse, was the horrid play being displayed on a weekly basis from weekly starters.

Coaches are now going to put the pressure on their veterans, and train these young quarterbacks to take over the starting reigns. How soon will that be?

Dynasty rookie drafts will be right around the corner. A draft in which you can protect an innumerate amount of players. This allows you to keep an athlete tapped for future potential in your system. Trade bait or eventual take over for your own aging quarterback (Brady, Manning, McNabb). You’ve got just as many decisions to make for your short term vs. long term scenarios on your roster.

Based on the first days draft, here is how I figure dynasty drafts will go. Oddly enough, skilled offensive position players such as QB, RB, and WR did not dominate the first round of the draft. Our rankings will be added upon each day of the draft.

1. Julio Jones- Right off the bat Jones gets to pair up with excellence all around him. A dynamic running game with Michael Turner and one of the best emerging young quarterbacks in the NFL. He’ll be directly opposite a receiver in Roddy White who now commands a double team, and schemes tailored to stop him. Jones should have no problem becoming another weapon for the Falcons.

2. Jake Locker- Locker got picked by a team that has shown the best in terms of winning over the last decade. Compared to the Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars, which have been successful but have nose dived over the last few years. It’ll be very difficult for either Gabbert or Newton to excel right away. Locker will need to develop in the pocket, and be a student of the game. Which he can do. If Vince Young can win with his inaccuracy, than so can Locker. He’ll hand the ball off enough to Chris Johnson and be mentored by Kerry Collins, to not get rattled his rookie year.

3. AJ Green- Depending on who the Bengals have at quarterback could be make or break for Green. There’s a lot waning in the Bengals future that makes Green a shaky first year player. We all know that Carson Palmer wants out, and that the Bengals have shown no interest in doing such. If Palmer does sit out and they have to go with Jordan Palmer, things could get ugly as a whole for the Bengals. Additionally, Green will likely have to be the main receiver as the Bengals are likely to part ways with Ocho Cinco and not resign Terrell Owens.

4. Cam Newton- In dynasty drafts, do not expect a return on this pick for quite awhile. Newton is at least a full season and a half away from being a fantasy starter. His skill set and determination should make the freak show we saw at Auburn continue in the NFL. Barring injury, Newton is going to be the new breed at the quarterback position. Daunte Culpepper of old before the injuries, but at a favorable weight to endure continuous NFL seasons.

5. Blaine Gabbert- Sometimes live air time needs that drama to keep the suspense alive. Mel Kiper and Chris Berman were trying to create just that. Flashing Aaron Rodgers, Brady Quinn and other players that have had to sit in the awaiting room, while falling in the draft. Landing at tenth isn’t what you would call falling. Gabbert is with a Jacksonville team that traded up to get him, and has wanted to yank David Garrard several times the past few seasons. To Garrard’s credit, his past season was one of his better since he led the Jaguars to a playoff victory over the Steelers a few years ago. Gabbert will be able to get the proper training and development to carry over his amazing accuracy. He could end up being the best quarterback of the draft.

6.  Mark Ingram- Ingram goes into a Saints structure that has loved the duel back system since the Deuce McAllister days. So his role for fantasy production is up in the air. Being the youngest back on the team though suits him well. There is always changes and Ingram figures to be part of the mix for the next four to five years. Can he stay healthy consistently, to become a factor for the Saints?

7. Christian Ponder- What you love about Ponder is his toughness. He was beaten down at Florida State and forced too much to carry the Seminoles almost single handedly in games. Experience as a three year starter at a major program, gives him the repetition edge over some of the other quarterbacks. As all of the other quarterbacks, besides Gabbert, were protected with a running game. Ponder aired the ball out nearly thirty attempts a game, and passed for an average of 316 attempts each year he started.

8. Jonathan Baldwin- An odd fit for a team that already has a big target at wide receiver. Baldwin didn’t dominate in a conference that was definitely down the past couple of years. Yet he is a big target that the Chiefs feel can hold his own against NFL style cornerbacks. We believe Baldwin will have a tough time adjusting, especially if he is expected to step in as the number two receiver.