2011 NFL Draft: How Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert Stack Up Against Each Other
In less than a month, all eyes will be on Radio City Music Hall for the 2011 NFL Draft. There is still one question that has yet to be answered: Who will be drafted No. 1 overall by the Carolina Panthers?
Will it be a quarterback?
If the Panthers do in fact draft a quarterback with the first pick, who will they take? Will it be 2010 Heisman trophy winner Cam Newton? Or could it be former Missouri standout Blaine Gabbert?
Both quarterbacks present any NFL team with a potential for a franchise quarterback for many years to come, as they have successful track records at the collegiate level to prove it.
When Newton and Gabbert are matched up against each other though, which quarterback stacks up better?
While we may not know how each quarterback will produce as a pro, here is a breakdown of what both quarterbacks will bring to the NFL teams that draft them.
Arm Strength
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Having the ability to throw the ball down field is a definite must when it comes to any quarterback. Both Gabbert and Newton have successfully shown this throughout their collegiate careers.
Here is a look at how both quarterbacks produced in their final seasons:
Gabbert
- 3,593 passing yards
- 8.1 average yards per throw
Newton
- 2,854 passing yards
- 10.2 average yards per throw
As you can see, Gabbert amassed more than 700 yards more of offense compared to Newton last season.
What it basically comes down to is having experience throwing the ball, as Newton only played one full season at a top level at SEC powerhouse Auburn, while Gabbert possesses two full seasons as part of the Big 12 at Missouri.
While both players have the arm strength to become successful quarterbacks in the NFL, I personally like a quarterback who is more experienced at the position.
Winner: Gabbert
Arm Accuracy
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What's even more important than having enough strength to throw the ball down field, is accurately throwing the ball and completing passes to the many targets on the gridiron.
Both Gabbert and Newton are very close when it comes to accuracy. While he did complete 100 less passes than Gabbert, Newton almost doubled the Mizzou star on total touchdown throws last season.
Gabbert
16 TDs, 9 INTs
Completions/attempts: 301 / 475
Completion percentage: 63.4
Overall QB rating: 127.03
Newton
30 TDs, 7 INTs
Completions/attempts: 185 / 280
Completion percentage: 66.1
Overall QB rating: 182.05
Don't get me wrong, Gabbert put up some above-average numbers his junior year, but Newton went above and beyond any expectation in 2010. The only question is whether he can now translate some of that success to the NFL.
Winner: Newton
Durability
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Both Gabbert and Newton played in all of their games this past season, so missing time due to injury does not affect their overall durability as a quarterback.
They both play at a high intensity and were in some big games during their college careers, which will give them the experience they need to make an impact in the NFL.
Durability always seems like it has been a must for each QB.
Winner: Even
Scrambling Ability
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There's absolutely no question here; Newton is by far the best runner of the two. While Gabbert did manage to rush for some touchdowns in 2010, the Auburn shined far and above the rest at the position.
Gabbert
Rushing attempts/rushing yds: 112 / 232
Average yards per attempt: 2.1
Longest run of 2010 season: 32 yards
Total rushing touchdowns: 5
Newton
Rushing attempts/rushing yds: 264 / 1,473
Average yards per attempt: 5.6
Longest run of 2010 season: 71 yards
Total rushing touchdowns: 20
The 20 rushing touch downs by Newton alone are absolutely astounding, as he became just the third quarterback in college football history to both run and throw for 20-plus touchdowns.
Personally, I can't wait to see what the former 2010 Heisman trophy winner can do on his feet in the NFL, as he could eventually give Michael Vick a run for his money when it comes to being a rushing quarterback in the league.
Winner: Newton
Ability to Read Defenses
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Having a good Football IQ is essential when reading the many defensive formations teams try to run against a top quarterback.
Both Gabbert and Newton showed their great intelligence on the field as neither quarterback threw for double-digit interceptions in 2010. They also had above-average completion percentages, which show why they will become great thinkers on the field in the NFL.
Now, if we simply talk about the overall mentality of both players in general though, the Mizzou star shines brighter than Newton.
Winner: Gabbert
Toughness
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There's no questioning both quarterback's physical and mental toughness throughout their collegiate careers. For Newton though, he may have been a little tougher going about the whole off-field eligibility controversy.
Let's face it though, we are ranking each quarterback when it comes to on-field performance.
Gabbert
Led Missouri to a 10-2 regular season record
Lost to Iowa in the Insight Bowl, throwing for 434 yards of offense
Newton
Led Auburn to a perfect 13-0 regular season record
Defeated Oregon to win the BCS National Championship
Talk about both stepping up and being a great asset to the team when it was needed the most. I would definitely take either one of their overall toughness day in and day out.
Winner: Even
Leadership
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Every quarterback must possess the qualities of a true leader when taking snaps in the NFL. A quarterback must try everything in his power to lead his team to victory each and every Sunday.
Both Newton and Gabbert are no different—they should know what it takes to win in the NFL, based on their track records during college.
Based on this past 2010 season though, Newton not only out-played Gabbert most of the time, but led his team to victory in the BCS Championship.
That, in a sense, is all you could ask from a true leader at quarterback, where he fulfilled his full potential at Auburn.
Winner: Newton
NFL Ready
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So which quarterback is the most ready to play in the NFL right now?
Even though both standout quarterbacks lit up the stat book during their college careers, neither Newton nor Gabbert hold a clear cut advantage over the other when it comes to being ready to play in the NFL.
They may have walked the halls of their respective colleges like famous stars, but nothing is set in stone when becoming a successful NFL quarterback.
There have been way too many busts over the past decade at the quarterback position to clearly say one will be better than the other.
Even with question marks, both Newton and Gabbert will still be taken within the top 10 picks of this upcoming draft. No matter where they are taken in the draft though, their next task won't be to out-play each other in the NFL, but rather take their team and lead it exactly like they led their schools over the past couple years.
Their bright professional careers have really only just begun, as both quarterbacks will look to make a name for themselves in the NFL for many years to come. Having a chance to do that is really the only thing both players can ask for.
Winners: Gabbert & Newton
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