2011 NFL Mock Draft: Where Will Cam Newton Get Drafted If He Comes Out?
2011 NFL mock draft time and I am here to dissect the possibilities for one individual, Mr. Cameron Newton. Here I will present the 15 most likely teams to take the phenom if he decides to leave school early and grace the NFL with his presence.
Reports and rumors are coming to light that Cam Newton may have been involved in a pay for play scandal. If more damaging news were to surface, I can only imagine the star quarterback would forgo his last season instead of sticking around to reap the repercussions.
Here are his 15 most likely destinations.
15. Houston Texans
1 of 15
Why they need him:
It is clear that Matt Schaub has things under control in Houston. But, the Texans are crossing their fingers every Sunday that he does not go down in a heap on the field.
Schaub could be a great tutor to Newton. More than that, they would have a real backup to the Texans QB. I have absolutely no confidence in Dan Orlovsky. Neither do the Texans or they would not have taken a huge risk on wash-out quarterback Matt Leinart as their third string option.
Why they are willing to take the risk:
The QB depth chart is absolutely dismal in Houston. But what would make the Texans drool is the run game they would have with Newton and Arian Foster. A tandem like that already works in Tennessee and Philadelphia.
14. Denver Broncos
2 of 15
Why they need him:
The Broncos don't really need Cam Newton. I just think he would fit into their drafting scheme. By drafting Tim Tebow, they showed they are willing to slot a gifted athlete into what ever scheme they run. Newton could play any skilled position on offense just like Tebow. Imagine both players running a wildcat hybrid.
Why they are willing to take the risk:
The Broncos shocked us all by drafting Tim Tebow earlier than anyone had him slotted. I see no reason to not expect another surprise at next year's draft.
13. Kansas City Chiefs
3 of 15
Why they need him:
Matt Cassel will be the face of the Chiefs for the foreseeable future. The issue I have is that he doesn't have anyone backing him up. I would also like to add that the NFL is a much better league when some teams are killing it. The Chiefs are one of these teams.
They seemed to be the real deal at the beginning of the season but have fallen on hard times as of late. The Chiefs could use a potential star in Cam Newton.
Why they are willing to take the risk:
If the Chiefs continue their downward spiral, they will force to appease their fan base with answers. Cam Newton would be a commitment to them that they are trying to get back to consistent winning.
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12. San Francisco 49ers
4 of 15
Why they need him:
The 49ers have high hopes for Alex Smith, and he has looked at times very capable at quarterback. But mostly, he has under served the 3-6 49ers.
A look at their depth chart finds nothing but unproven quarterbacks. Troy Smith is not a QB that you hand the keys of a franchise to and David Carr has had many chances with minimal success.
Why they are willing to take the risk:
The 49ers are desperate to get back into the discussion as an elite team in the NFL. If Newton reaches his potential, he can get them there.
With so many legendary quarterbacks in their history, Alex Smith does not fit the bill.
11. Miami Dolphins
5 of 15
Why they need him:
The Dolphins have Chad Henne and he has done a reputable job in Miami. But it is clear that Tony Sparano is looking for other options. Henne may be injured but his knee is good enough to practice and they are still handing over the responsibilities this week to Tyler Thigpen. It is clear the Dolphins are not satisfied with who they have at the most important of positions.
Why they are willing to take the risk:
There really is only one reason. Who else besides Mike Vick was born to run the wildcat offense? With Cam Newton, defenses would continually be at a loss as to what the Dolphins planned to do with the ball.
10. Oakland Raiders
6 of 15
Why they need him:
I only stuck the Raiders in here because they are always unpredictable at the draft. Al Davis has a track record of taking talented quarterbacks despite being flush at the position. The only thing holding them back on a Newton pick is that Jason Campbell seems to have found his rhythm.
Why they are willing to take the risk:
Are you kidding? Its the Raiders. Their middle name is chance, and they are the one team that has always been a second chance for the misfits and malcontents of the NFL world.
9. Dallas Cowboys
7 of 15
Why they need him:
We are a witness first hand as to what happens when Tony Romo goes out; you are left with an old arm in Jon Kitna. Granted the Cowboys got a win under his leadership, but it wasn't pretty before that game. Dallas could have Newton backing up Romo and if he shows promise, either would be great trade bait.
Why they are willing to take the risk:
The Cowboys have no qualms with taking a shot on potential disaster. I submit to you Pacman Jones, Michael Irvin, Deion Sanders, Terrell Owens, and so on. It seems like they never learn
8. Minnesota Vikings
8 of 15
Why they need him:
This will be the last season for Brett Favre. Even if he wants to return, no one will want him. That leaves Tarvaris Jackson as the heir apparent, and it is clear that the Vikings are shying away from that scenario. Otherwise, Favre would have been benched by now.
Why they are willing to take the risk:
I could go either way on this one. They took a chance on Randy Moss and Brett Favre. So they will either shy away from a risk or be emboldened by their own courageous past.
7. Detroit Lions
9 of 15
Why they need him:
I understand that this might be a bit tenuous of a pick, but the one thing I can go to is Matthew Stafford's shoulder. He recently injured it for the second time in his young career. If he happens to be a recurring injury liability, they will need another quarterback to take a chance on. I doubt Shaun Hill is the one man to take the Lions from the doldrums their franchise has been in for the past decade.
Why they are willing to take the risk:
I ask you to consider another sport for this argument. Greg Oden has played the equivalent of one seasons worth of games in four years. Injuries can hurt a team. Now consider if Matthew Stafford is to become a perennially injured QB.
There is some cause for alarm.
6. Arizona Cardinals
10 of 15
Why they need him:
The Cardinals have no idea who their quarterback is this year let alone for the future. They are a bad team with nary a star other than Larry Fitzgerald. Cam Newton would solve two problems. He would be a single player they could back for QB duties, and he would be a marketable commodity.
Why they are willing to take the risk:
It is clear what ever they are doing is not working in Arizona. Sure there is a risk involved with taking Newton, but the worse case scenario still is not as bad as this season has been for the Cards.
5. Cincinnati Bengals
11 of 15
Why they need him:
It seems like the Bengals are making a push for the number one pick this year. If they keep dropping games the way they are, they just might do it.
Carson Palmer seems to be at a loss. He is quickly reverting to 2007 form where in he threw 20 interceptions. It's nice and all that his younger brother is number two on the depth chart, but really they need talent in Cincinnati to toss the ball to all of their receivers. Even if Palmer is on the downside of his career, he would be superb as a tutor for the young QB.
Why they are willing to take the risk:
They also have shown no signs of issues with signing possible troublemakers. They have quietly become the Raiders of Ohio.
4. Seattle Seahawks
12 of 15
Why they need him:
Matt Hasselbeck is an an aged quarterback that does not have much time left. Couple that with the fact that Charlie Whitehurst will be 29 and J.P. Lossman will be 30. If Hasselbeck could find one more year in his legs, he would be a fantastic mentor to Cam Newton. I can't think of a better person to show a young QB the NFL ropes.
Why they are willing to take the risk:
Pete Carroll is still trying to make a statement in the NFL. He would jump at the chance of a project like Newton. The upside would be too much for him to resist.
3. Buffalo Bills
13 of 15
Why they need him:
The Bills would pick first if the season were to end today. I understand that they already have a stud QB in Ryan Fitzpatrick, but there is good reason to take Newton. When you pick first, you take the best. When you draft for need in the one spot, you can get in trouble.
Why they are willing to take the risk:
Also, the worst case scenario is they have two star quarterbacks in their depth chart. That didn't hurt the Eagles any this year. The upside of picking first this year is you can take Newton and trade him off to a team scant of any talent behind center or fit him nicely in the depth chart.
2. Carolina Panthers
14 of 15
Why they need him:
The Panthers will definitely be close to if not first themselves in drafting next season. The difference between them and the Bills is they actually need a quarterback. Matt Moore is not exactly a world beater. Jimmy Clausen is inconsistent. So they are left with Brian St. Pierre.
Also, what better way to get fans in the seat than a QB who is mobile. That is en vogue with teams and fans alike nowadays.
Why they are willing to take the risk:
Do you mean aside from the fact that the Panthers are a horrible team? The Panthers desperately need a shot in the arm. They are the doormat of the NFL and things are getting ugly.
1. Washington Redskins
15 of 15
Why they need him:
So they got rid of Jason Campbell without giving him more than one season under a single particular offensive system. They did this because they had a stout vet to take the reigns. That has not exactly worked the way the Redskins envisioned it. Now all they have is a broken down McNabb and Rex Grossman. I will say again, their other option is Rex Grossman.
Why they are willing to take the risk:
Albert Haynesworth's greed may make them a bit wary about taking on Newton and his family. But they are so defunct at the quarterback position that they would roll the dice.
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