NFL Draft 2011: Is Cam Newton the Best Prospect Ever?

Going into this year's NFL Draft, every sports writer out there, including me, spends a huge chunk of their time trying to slice and dice each prospect down to the core.

We try to fit every player into a flawless statistical evaluation before the draft rolls around. As much as this means hyping each player's strengths, it also means trying to find a weakness in every player.

While doing my personal evaluation of the poster boy quarterback Cam Newton, I could immediately identify a glaring weakness of his.

He's had off field issues. He's apparently stolen a lap top, cheated on tests at Florida, and might have had something to do with a pay-to-play scandal involving his father and Mississippi State University.

But, I'm sure it makes Auburn fans sick reading about that again. I'll spare you elaboration on that matter, especially considering one too many things in Auburn and Alabama are sick right now (namely, certain trees).

Need an elixir, Auburn fans? Here it goes.

I'm pretty convinced Cam Newton is the greatest, most physically and mentally equipped NFL Draft prospect ever.

As a matter of fact, I'm certain.

First off, I'm blown away by his mental approach. He never let the hoopla surrounding him during the season phase him. He never said anything foolish during interviews—he stayed focused.

Many were saying, "Hey Cam, fess-up!"

He took his share of criticism for not doing so, but maybe not fessing-up was a good idea. He couldn't let his personal endeavors block his pathway to a National Championship, and he didn't. There was no taking back what he did; he wasn't going to let Auburn suffer from his misstep.

I like that.

He also appears to be, despite any foolish things he's done in the past, a smart individual. You can just tell by his charisma that there's plenty of brains in the kid's head.

So really, I can't even locate a current mental area where he might be lacking. I don't think he's going to be foolish enough to get into trouble in the NFL. Bash me in a few years when I'm proven wrong, but for now I stand my ground.

As far as physical attributes go, I think he's vastly overlooked.

I critiqued him in a previous article, saying the transition from Auburn's wide open offense to an NFL offense would be difficult for him. But the truth is, the NFL becoming more and more of a passing league. More teams are running from the shotgun at higher rates.

I think Cam Newton will fit right into that type of offense in the NFL. When you look at him on tape, you see zero flaws.

He's smart, he finds open receivers, and has great presence—much like Ben Roethlisberger, who he has been compared to.

But Newton looks flawless, mechanically.

He has a beautiful release to go with his towering 6'6" height. Most people don't appreciate just how well Newton throws. We're talking super tight spirals with great velocity and accuracy.

Newton can make any throw on the field, including the toughest out routes. His athleticism also gives him the luxury to improvise—we all know he's a freak when it comes to running in the open field.

What you are essentially getting with Cam Newton is the prototypical pocket quarterback, with improvisation and scrambling sprinkles on top.

He's Tim Tebow with stellar mechanics. I cannot think of a more attractive prospect in recent memory.

And maybe ever.

Forget Jake Locker, or Ryan Mallett. Heck, forget the rest.

Cam Newton might just be the best quarterback prospect ever.