2011 NFL Draft: 10 Bold Predictions About Cam Newton's NFL Career
Cam Newton stole the show in 2010. He dominated college football and took home the sports' top trophies winning the Heisman Trophy, the Maxwell Award, the Davey O'Brien Award, the Walter Camp Award and oh yeah, something called the National Championship.
Newton burst onto the scene in 2010 after transferring to Auburn, and it was as if he came out of nowhere. At the beginning of the season he wasn't on anyone's watch list; by the end, he was the unanimous decision to win the big awards.
Some say he may turn into an NFL bust, while others say he'll be a great NFL quarterback. Only time will tell.
And since we have a lot of time between now and then, it's a great chance for us to speculate and predict how Newton's NFL career will pan out.
The list that follows is in no particular order; these are just ten predictions relating to Newton's NFL career.
10. Newton Will Be Drafted in the First Round
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Newton is currently ranked as the third best quarterback in the draft. There are several teams with the first 15 picks that could use a quarterback.
Newton will have to really impress the scouts at the Combine and his pro day. He'll need a fast 40-yard dash time and one heck of a throw session. Typically most quarterbacks wait until their pro day to throw, but I believe he shouldn't be afraid to throw at the Combine. Impress them early on, and his draft stock will rise.
The 2010 Heisman Trophy winner will be taken in the first round. Arizona, Tennessee, San Francisco, Minnesota, Washington, Buffalo and Miami could all use a quarterback. If Newton slips past 15, then expect one of these teams to jump back into the first round to draft him.
I don't see that happening. Jake Locker is ranked above him, but many scouts believe he is too much of a risk. You could say the same about Newton, but with Newton you get a much better playmaker.
9. He Will Start in 2011
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Cam Newton is a leader.
He led the Auburn Tigers to a National Championship, and he will help lead whichever NFL team drafts him.
Newton will start in the 2011 regular season—assuming we even have a 2011 season. But for now, we'll say there will be football in the fall, and Newton will make his debut.
I'm not going to say he'll start Week 1 because I don't know which team will draft him. The NFL Draft is a funny thing because craziness happens every year, and we all wonder why certain teams make the moves or picks they do.
Whatever team drafts Newton is going to be one that needs his help, and because of that, I say he will start at quarterback sometime in 2011.
8. Newton Will Rush for More Than 300 Yards in his Rookie Year
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You may be thinking 300 yards is a little small for Newton, and while that may be true, I'm playing it a little safe here. Again, I don't know which team will draft him, so I don't know if he'll play a full season.
I do believe he will start and see a solid amount of playing time in his rookie year. As to when he becomes the starter, is really up in the air. Newton rushed for more than 1,400 yards with 20 touchdowns this past season. Those are great numbers, but you won't see anything close to that in the NFL. It's a completely different type of game at the next level.
Only three NFL quarterbacks rushed for more than 300 yards this season. Michael Vick led all quarterbacks with more than 600 rushing yards. The other two guys who accomplished this feat were Josh Freeman and Aaron Rodgers.
Quarterbacks just don't run that much in the NFL. I still believe Newton will rush for more than 300 yards because that's what he is comfortable doing. It's going to be a huge transition for him, and when protection breaks down or he gets frazzled, expect him to take off and run.
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7. He Will Throw for More Than 1,500 Yards in his Rookie Year
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If Jimmy Clausen can do it, so can Cam Newton.
Clausen threw for 1,558 yards in 13 NFL games. Newton will be drafted by a team that will need him 2011. He'll probably throw for more than 2,000 yards.
Newton threw for more than 2,500 yards in college with 30 touchdowns. Obviously the game gets harder as you step to the next level, but Newton has the ability to excel.
He'll throw for more than 1,500 yards with ease in 2011; I'll even say he tosses 10 touchdowns.
6. He'll Complete less than 60 Percent of his Passes in his Rookie Year
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In 2010, Newton only completed 66 percent of his passes. Scouts are worried about his accuracy and his decision-making at the next level.
Newton will complete more than 50 percent of his passes for sure, but I don't see him having a 60 percent completion percentage.
He will be inaccurate at times during his rookie campaign. So much so that I'll even say he throws more interceptions than touchdowns in 2011. It will be a hard transition to the NFL for Newton, but over time he will excel. He's too hard of a worker not to.
5. Newton Will Crack the Top Five in Career Rushing Yards by a Quarterback
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Newton can run. His size and speed make him very dangerous when he has the ball. He can make anyone miss and knows how to extend plays very well.
During the playoffs, we saw how hard it was to bring down Ben Roethlisberger. Big Ben weighs 240 pounds, whereas Newton weighs around 250. It's going to be hard to tackle Newton because he's very shifty and elusive.
Randall Cunningham is the leading rushing quarterback with 4,289 yards. It's possible Newton could break that, but who knows. I do know that when his career is over, he will rank among the top five highest in rushing yardage by a quarterback.
4. He'll Throw for More Than 25,000 Yards in his Career
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Newton is going to play in the NFL for a long time. He has great work ethic and determination. His qualities and attributes will allow him to prosper in the NFL.
25,000 yards may seem like a lot, but when you're going to be an NFL starter for many years, it really isn't that much. Three active quarterbacks will probably surpass that number in 2011 (if there is no lockout).
Roethlisberger, Eli Manning and Carson Palmer throw for 3,000-4,000 yards each year. All three are currently sitting in the 22,000 range and should easily pass the 25K mark next season. Not bad considering they've only been in the league for seven to eight years.
Newton should easily play for 10 seasons, and if he stays healthy, he can accomplish this goal.
3. Newton Will Be Selected to at Least One Pro Bowl
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Cam Newton is a playmaker.
He was extremely exciting to watch in college, and it won't be any different in the NFL.
In his NFL career, Newton will be selected to at least one Pro Bowl. Year after year this guy is going to amaze us with his abilities.
It really depends on which league he is drafted in though. It will be harder for him to reach the Pro Bowl from the AFC, as they're loaded with great quarterbacks. It won't be easy in the NFC either, I just happen to think the AFC has stronger quarterbacks.
2. He Will Win at Least One Super Bowl
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I know this is a very bold prediction. However, Newton has the skills to be an elite quarterback in the NFL.
He won't be distracted by anything, as his main priority will be to be the best. Newton has tremendous athleticism that will take him very far. If he is surrounded by the right players throughout his career, then he can lead that team all the way.
Newton has what it takes to be the best. If the team that drafts him has talent at the other skill positions, then together they will go far.
1. Newton Will Stay Free From Trouble
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Trouble seems to follow this guy wherever he goes.
Newton left Florida for a junior college because he was arrested for stealing a laptop, and this past season, Newton faced turmoil again when allegations of pay for play came up.
Many people have scrutinized Newton about being ineligible to play college football. Scouts are concerned about his maturity and how he will fare in the real world of the NFL.
It all ends here my friends. Newton will remain out of the negative spotlight for his NFL career. I'm not counting the current investigation that is going on; I am strictly talking about future problems for this kid, and there won't be any more trouble from Cam Newton.
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