The 2011 NFL Draft and its early run of quarterbacks continues: Colin Kaepernick will keep Alex Smith looking over his shoulder with the San Francisco 49ers, while Andy Dalton will keep the Cincinnati Bengals from breathing down Carson Palmer’s neck—after fewer than five picks on Friday the second round continued to reshape the NFL at the quarterback position.
Andy Dalton could start as soon as this year; Colin Kaepernick’s future depends on the resolution of the Alex Smith situation for the 49ers, which should be easier to understand when the NFL lockout is worked out.
The NFC West’s strange quarterback situation mostly remains unresolved—Matt Hasselbeck is still alone with the Seattle Seahawks, and the Arizona Cardinals went for a running back instead of a quarterback when they made Ryan Matthews their second-round pick. But the 49ers, should Alex Smith and Jim Harbaugh not get on, have taken a step toward matching the Rams’ seemingly solid situation there.
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