Cam Newton: 10 Reasons Why He Will or Won't Be an NFL Draft First-Rounder
Despite his rough season off the field, Cam Newton has managed it all: Heisman Trophy win, BCS National Championship berth, and a potential first-round draft pick status.
While I've spent a good amount of my time knocking Cam Newton, the NCAA, the commissioner of the SEC, and a number of other people for their way of dealing with this case (which has garnered me a fair amount of hate, mind you), I'm here to defend Newton for once. Sort of.
I'd like to do a little breakdown of Cam Newton's newly earned first-round draft status. So, without further delay, here are 10 reasons why it's "first round or bust" for the controversial Auburn quarterback.
First-Rounder: Accuracy
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For a guy who runs the ball a lot, Cam Newton can be deadly accurate.
Sure, there is a part of their option system that lends itself to him having a lot of time in the pocket, but he has put more than enough passes in the perfect spot to convince me that he can be accurate enough to make a difference as a mobile quarterback in the NFL.
Bust: Off-Field Problems
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It was going to come up anyway, so I might as well get it out of the way in the beginning.
Newton has a lot of bad history behind him. First, we go to Florida.
Before transferring to junior college from Florida, Cam Newton was behind Tim Tebow and John Brantley for the Gators. That's not the important part, though. The important part is that Newton was allegedly about to appear before a disciplinary hearing for three separate counts of cheating.
Oh yeah, and he was also a part of a laptop investigation, where he was accused of stealing a laptop from a fellow Florida student.
Then, of course, there was this recent recruiting controversy.
It may not be a DUI or drug problem, but alleged off-field problems always hurt draft stock, whether the player is talented or not.
First-Rounder: Measurables
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At 6'6", 250 lbs, Cam Newton is massive. He has shown that he is capable of trucking players, but is also able to beat players with his speed.
While it appears the Oakland Raiders can no longer be counted on to use their first-round pick on the best athlete in the first round (only partially because they don't have a first-round pick this year), there is always a team in the first round that is willing to grab a guy like Newton.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Bust: Product Of The Option System
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While there is plenty of proof to say that option quarterbacks can be successful, there's always a bigger potential for failure when dealing with option players, simply because they don't have much experience working with professional style formations.
Newton has shown plenty of ability to say that he could possibly work in professional offenses, but option players always carry a caveat.
First-Rounder: Running Style
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Cam Newton's size and running style really lends itself to good things in the NFL. He is always willing to lower his pad level, runs with big strides, but also has the ability to put moves on his defenders.
This means he not only works as a quarterback, but could also be a good option to try out at tight end.
Bust: Lack Of Passing Experience
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The fact that Cam Newton is a great runner is a bit of a weakness for him as well, since it means that he has limited opportunities to throw the ball.
In fact, his numbers show almost a dead split between running and throwing (246 passing attempts to 242 rushing attempts).
His completion percentage (67.1%) and yardage total (2,589) are both impressive, but again, it's about the limited snaps.
First-Rounder: The Heisman Trophy
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For some reason, the Heisman Trophy always manages to convince teams that the player who wins it is worth consideration.
There is history to justify it, but the Heisman Trophy seems like it is losing value year after year, considering that only two of the past 10 Heisman Trophy winners are currently starting-value players in the NFL, whereas five of them are barely holding onto their jobs or are out of the league, and one of them has vacated his trophy (Reggie Bush).
That's hardly the point, though. Newton won the Trophy, which means his draft stock has gone way up.
Bust: Inconsistency
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Cam Newton has put up some big numbers this year, but he has had a few inconsistency issues in his passing game throughout the year.
Sure, he's had a few 200-plus-yard passing games, and even a 335-yard game, but he's also had an 86-yard game (vs. LSU) and a 136-yard game (at Mississippi State), in addition to other 100-yard games.
He compensated by running the ball in most of those, but that's something that he won't be able to do as an NFL quarterback.
He may compensate for those numbers with high rushing totals, but it's still hard to deny the fact that he has some trouble passing the ball, whether the opposing defense is good or not.
First-Rounder: Lack Of Surrounding Talent
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While Cam Newton is accompanied by guys like Michael Dyer, it is clear that Auburn is a one-man show. He has a great offensive line standing in front of him, but, when it comes down to the skill positions, it is ultimately more up to his ability as a quarterback than his receivers' abilities to make plays.
First-Rounder: Teams Are Desperate
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There are three big name quarterbacks that could be on the board in April: Andrew Luck, Ryan Mallett and Jake Locker.
The problem? There are more than three teams that need a new starting quarterback.
It wouldn't surprise me if a team gets desperate and takes a chance on him.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
