NFL: Why the Carolina Panthers Should Draft Auburn QB Cam Newton

Now, keep in mind that “Killa” Cam Newton just played in the national title game a couple days ago, so it is anybody's guess as to whether or not he declares for the draft or decides to stay at Auburn for his senior year. 

Whether he declares or not is far more significant now than it was say a week ago, now that Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck has said he will return to the Cardinal in 2011. 

The Carolina Panthers, who have the first overall pick in this spring’s draft, announced they would draft Luck should he decide to leave school early. 

And who could blame them? The former Notre Dame standout Jimmy Clausen was terrible as a rookie. 

To put things into perspective, Clausen had a lame duck coach and only one receiver worthy of starting on most NFL teams. 

Still, in starting 10 games, coming in for relief duty in three others, Clausen threw for a pedestrian 1,558 yards and a hard to believe three touchdowns to nine interceptions. 

Certainly, the Panthers have not been a passing team in recent years and 2010 was no exception, but a signal caller finishing with a 58.4 QB rating does not inspire much confidence. 

The first quarterback currently expected off the board in the draft is Arkansas’ Ryan Mallet. 

Mallet, just the fourth player in SEC history to pass for 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns in back to back seasons, is a franchise quarterback that every struggling organization needs to consider. 

Is he worth a first overall pick? It would not be that outlandish to think so. Since the Panthers are in dire need of a QB and have the top pick, shouldn’t it be a no-brainer for them to go out and get Mallet?

Not necessarily, as ESPN’s Mel Kiper actually lists Mallet as the No. 3 quarterback in the draft, behind Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert and Auburn’s Cam Newton. 

Is either Gabbert of Newton worthy of a top draft pick? Probably not, as Gabbert’s 2010 totals in most major categories (yards per attempt, touchdowns, yardage, QB rating) are down from 2009 and Newton only has one year as a starter, granted it was a terrific one. 

So how can one rationalize that the 2010 Heisman trophy winner could be wearing black and blue in 2011? 

Well, first of all the Panthers trade off the first overall pick for several other picks, including at least one in the first round. 

This makes it possible for them to grab Newton in the mid to late first round, or even the second round should he drop that low. 

How he ends up on the roster is really that simple; this way the organization can acquire a very talented young player without overextending themselves. 

Gaining additional draft picks also allows them to address other glaring issues at the offensive line and wide receiver position.

Now, for why the Panthers would want to have Newton calling their offense in 2011. For one, Newton has tremendous size (6’6, 250 pounds) and speed to go with it, making him a perfect candidate to run defenders over whenever he decides to carry the ball.

Newton had 1,473 rushing yards in 2010, a number rarely seen for a QB, with a stout 5.6 yards per carry and an unheard of 20 touchdowns. 

While college quarterbacks with a propensity to run the football are often written off as guys who will fail in the NFL, Newton’s passing statistics closely resemble what Ben Roethlisberger did in 2003.

In his redshirt junior season, Newton had 2,854 passing yards, completed 66.1 percent of his passes, a whopping 10.19 yards per attempt, with 30 touchdowns to only seven interceptions. 

Newton also set an NCAA record with a 182.05 QB rating for the season.

In Roethlisberger’s 2003 redshirt junior season with the Miami Redhawks, Big Ben threw for 3,670 yards, completed 69.1 percent of his passes and tossed 29 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. 

His quarterback rating was not too shabby either, finishing with a rock solid 159.1 in this major category. 

Newton’s propensity to rush is certainly far greater than Roethlisberger’s, but his abilities as a pocket passer are undeniable.    

Mobile quarterbacks who can escape defensive pressure and rush for first downs tend to excel the most when they have a competent rush attack out of the back field. 

While many fans and experts alike agree that DeAngelo Williams is on his way out of Carolina (he is a free agent in 2011), “The Daily Show” Jonathan Stewart has shown on multiple occasions he is featured back material.

Mike Goodson has proven to be a reliable third down option for the Panthers as well.

There is no need for Carolina to head into 2011 with a ceiling of four wins as they try and develop Jimmy Clausen. 

If Cam Newton declares for the draft, there is no reason he should not be on the Panthers roster when it is all said and done.