2011 NFL Mock Draft: Will Cam Newton Crack the Top 10?
By now, we've all heard the comments Trent Dilfer has made about Cam Newton after his impressive media workout. If we didn't know any better, Dilfer has quite the bromance with Mr. Newton.
All kidding aside, Newton's workout showed that the guy is an absolute physical freak (as if we didn't know before). He made every throw, showed improved footwork and mechanics, as well as composure under the media's spotlights.
Still, the question that Newton must answer is whether or not he can focus on football and lead a team to the Super Bowl. While some question his desire to be a student of the game, other see him as the next elite quarterback heading into the NFL.
Note - I decided to throw a couple curveballs in this mock, so let me know what you think!
All picks, comments, and descriptions are made using my own personal thoughts and opinions, as well as input from various scouts, sites, and media references.
No. 1 Carolina Panthers
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A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
When you're being compared to guys like Randy Moss and Calvin Johnson, you must be pretty damn good. A.J. Green is the best receiving prospect in the past decade (excluding Calvin Johnson), and is definitely worth being the first overall selection in April.
The other option for Carolina here is Auburn's Nick Fairley. After an outstanding year and dominant BCS National Championship game, Fairley's name hasn't left the top three picks. Yet, questions over his ability to produce at such a high level year in and year out, as well as concerns over his "dirty" style of play may be just enough to give A.J. Green the nod.
No. 2 Denver Broncos
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Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
While I believe that Patrick Peterson should be the pick here (considering Champ Bailey has given every indication that he'll be hitting the free agent market) Nick Fairley makes just as much sense.
The Broncos will most likely make the transition back to John Fox's base 4-3 defense at some point, and Fairley fits well in both schemes. With Denver in desperate need of versatile pass-rush help from the defensive line, Fairley may prove too good to pass up.
No. 3 Buffalo Bills
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Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
While this pick may be a stretch, Cam Newton warrants a top five pick based on skill alone. The questions surrounding his desire to play football—rather than just the fame—are the reasons that he has been slotted as a mid first Round pick.
Newton will need a year or two to develop his progressions and reads, but he has all the physical tools to make it in the NFL.
Seeing as though this is a quarterback driven league, if the Bills wish to compete they need a guy that can lead the team through tough divisional games against New England (which no Bills QB had been able to do in a decade).
Other options for the Bills would include: Patrick Peterson, A.J. Green, and Von Miller.
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No. 4 Cincinnati Bengals
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Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
Bowers is a lazy one year extraordinaire. He has bad tape, and is vastly overrated because of his size and "speed." Please humor me and watch some YouTube highlights of him. Half his sacks come when he is unblocked and the other half from disrupted plays. I have only seen a couple plays in which he dominated an opponent to the point at which I would call him superior.
In these highlights you will see him being manhandled by tackles and guards, and after a few seconds of grab ass he will get bored and go after the scurrying quarterback. Yes, he is physically freakish, but his stats are severely inflated.
Just remember, Vernon Gholston was a "physical freak" with great stats too.
No. 5 Arizona Cardinals
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Von Miller, 3-4 OLB, Texas A&M
I have the Cardinals passing on Patrick Peterson because they have an anemic pass-rush. Joey Porter was a wasted signing, and they are still suffering from the loss of Karlos Dansby.
Von Miller was a man amongst boys at the Senior Bowl, completely dominating the North Team's offensive line (which consisted of Anthony Castonzo, Gabe Carimi, and Nate Solder). Regardless, Miller fills a position of need for the Cardinals and will help put them back on track.
No. 6 Cleveland Browns
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Robert Quinn, DE, N. Carolina
This pick would be Patrick Peterson, but the Browns just spent their top 10 pick on Joe Haden last year.
Dick Jauron's defense failed in Buffalo because he lacked a true pass-rusher not named Aaron Schobel. Robert Quinn will help the transition back to the 4-3 defense, even though he missed the entire 2010 season with a suspension. He should blow scouts away at the NFL Combine with his physical skills.
No. 7 San Francisco 49'ers
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Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
The 49'ers need an upgrade at corner, especially with the noticable decline in Nate Clements' play.
Blaine Gabbert could be an option here as well, but he has major accuracy issues and shouldn't be considered with a top 10 pick. Guys like Jake Locker, Christian Ponder, and Pat Devlin make sense for the new 49'ers offense under Jim Harbaugh, and will be available later in the Draft.
A trade with Philadelphia for Kevin Kolb is an option too.
No.8 Tennessee Titans
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Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
With Jason Babin set to hit free agency (at the moment), the Titans will need help on the defensive line. They have plenty of options: Aldon Smith, Ryan Kerrigan, Cameron Jordan, etc.
Dareus is probably the safest player in the 2011 NFL Draft, by which I mean the Titans know exactly what they're getting. He is a strong, versatile tackle, who will quietly make a big difference on the Titans defensive front.
No. 9 Dallas Cowboys
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Cameron Jordan, 3-4 DE, California
While Prince Amukamara should be the pick here, Jerry Jones has indicated that he has confidence in his cornerbacks... wow.
Cam Jordan had a sensational Senior Bowl and shot himself into the top 15 without a doubt. Either he or Amukamara would be a great pick for the Cowboys here.
No. 10 Washington Redskins
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Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
Donovan McNabb is done in Washington, no doubt. The team cannot possibly have confidence in Rex Grossman, so they will be looking for their guy within the first couple rounds. Whether that's Jake Locker, Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert, or Ryan Mallett remains to be seen, but they will leave this draft with a new signal caller at the helm.
Prince Amukamara could be an option here as well, but that all depends on whether or not Carlos Rogers is re-signed.
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