Cam Newton: 10 Teams Who Could Trade Up to Snag the Heisman Trophy Winner
Cam Newton dominated college football.
He is an absolute physical freak and the best specimen in this year’s draft class. He led the Auburn Tigers to an undefeated season and BCS National Championship. He has terrific talent, great arm strength, brute strength, great agility and fantastic speed.
Newton has two knocks on him: character issues and accuracy.
Many are now souring on Newton because of these two flaws.
Newton’s accuracy concerns are being overblown following the combine. Newton threw to receivers he had no time to truly prepare with: How many times is that going to happen in the NFL? He completed 66 percent of his passes in 2010.
Did he even have a good, let alone great, receiver at Auburn?
Look, unless you’re former professional wrestlers The Rock or Stone Cold Steve Austin, I’m not a fan of speaking in the third person either, but who are we to judge Newton’s desires to be an icon and entertainer?
The legit concern, albeit a large one, is whether or not Newton is actually coachable or if he’ll basically tell a coach to “shove it” at the professional level. If I had to guess, I’d say he’ll accept guidance in the NFL and he will turn out to be a great professional quarterback.
It’s tough to watch game film from 2010 and not be in awe of Newton’s ability.
Should Newton start to slip in the NFL Draft or be declared as the No. 1-overall pick prior to the draft, these are 10 candidates who may feel that, come draft day, Cam Newton is worth trading up to draft for the sake of their franchise, now and in the future.
10. Washington Redskins
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The Washington Redskins need a complete overhaul in general, but especially so on offense. The Redskins are essentially working with a clean slate here.
Cam Newton would be a fantastic building piece for the Redskins and would give owner Dan Snyder a marketable piece who could very well become an entertainer and an icon. Snyder loves the big names and in this year’s draft Newton is the biggest.
In fact, Newton may very well be the biggest name available to draft, sign or trade this offseason.
Should Newton slip a bit in the draft, the Redskins wouldn’t have to give up much to trade up a bit. It may be just the right price for Snyder and head coach Mike Shanahan to revamp the franchise.
9. Buffalo Bills
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The Bills would be moving up slightly for Newton if they decide they want, like the Redskins, a marketable piece for the present and future. Ryan Fitzpatrick did a great job last season, but he may be a one-hit wonder.
Even better, the Bills already boast a great young offense and could use Newton in special packages. Hell, Newton could even be on the field at the same time as Fitzpatrick since we’ve seen Newton catch a touchdown in 2010.
Bills jersey sales would sky rocket with a Cam Newton selection in the draft.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars
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David Garrard’s days are numbered, not due to poor play, but age.
Garrard’s time is winding down in Jacksonville. He would be one of the best mentor’s for Cam Newton in this league. He’s an efficient-and-effective quarterback who knows when to use his legs at the right time.
Under Garrard’s tutelage, Newton could become a dual-threat, winning quarterback in the NFL who knows exactly when to tuck the ball and run or wing it down the field.
Newton plays a similar smash-mouth style that the Jaguars love to run and he would be waiting to take the reins from Garrard.
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7. Arizona Cardinals
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The Cardinals are in desperate need of a quarterback in my eyes, since Max Hall and John Skelton won’t amount to much.
Larry Fitzgerald needs a better arm throwing him the rock. At least with a receiver like Fitzgerald to throw to, Newton wouldn’t feel as pressured to make a pinpoint-accurate pass each-and-every down.
The Cardinals are looking to bring some swagger back to Arizona since they stumbled last year after previously making the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. Newton would bring that winning mentality and, rest assured, he would open things up for both Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower.
If the Cardinals don’t go defense and Fitzgerald feels that Newton would instantly help out, the Cardinals may be pressed to trade up a bit to land the future superstar.
6. Minnesota Vikings
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The Vikings have a championship squad already; they just need a game manager.
The Vikings could trade for a veteran quarterback, but even if they do, they need a future star waiting to takeover. If they could land Carson Palmer for cheap or even Donovan McNabb, the Vikings would be able to compete this season for a championship and in the future when Newton is ready to step in.
Even if the Vikings fail to bring in a veteran, Newton would be surrounded by veteran pieces on offense, like Adrian Peterson and another young star in Percy Harvin. These three would make a lethal combination in the backfield as Harvin can also take the rock behind the offensive line and make moves.
The Vikings would easily have one of the most explosive backfield possibilities in the league.
5. Seattle Seahawks
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Does anybody really think Charlie Whitehurst is the future in Seattle?
Me neither. Matt Hasselbeck may be coming back, but not for long. This team needs to find another successor and one who can make a real impact for the fans. Newton would bring a ton of firepower to Seattle and would work well with Big Mike Williams.
Pete Carroll would be an excellent mentor for Cam Newton, as he always does a great job with younger talent. I actually think Seattle could be an ideal landing spot for Newton with Carroll around. It’s just a matter of whether or not Seattle feels the same.
4. Miami Dolphins
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Newton would be able to fulfill everything the Dolphins need. Miami needs more star power and it would be able to essentially run the Wildcat offense to perfection with Newton.
Newton is a powerful runner and he would be able to take off at will. Newton has the size and strength to take hits from NFL linebackers and even run a few over if you saw him in his Under Armor gear at the NFL Scouting Combine.
As the Dolphins begin to drop down the ranks in the NFL, Newton would create a football buzz in Miami the city hasn’t seen in a few years.
3. Cincinnati Bengals
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The Carson Palmer era is over in Cincinnati.
He’s already put his house up for sale and the Bengals are fielding offers for their veteran quarterback. It’s highly unlikely the Bengals will trade for a veteran, instead looking for a quarterback to build around in the draft.
On top of that, is it me or do Marvin Lewis and the Bengals just love taking on players with “character issues"?
I don’t think Newton has character issues, but others do. That might mean the Bengals need to have him.
The Bengals could use Newton’s versatility on offense and star power for the stands. The Bengals rushing attack took a hit in 2010, since Cedric Benson really isn’t too good.
The Bengals have solid young receivers on board. Newton, Jordan Shipley and tight end Jermaine Gresham would all make for one of the better young offenses in the game.
Should the Bengals hear whispers of Newton being drafted prior to No. 4 overall, they may feel the pressure to trade up.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
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Whoa, the Eagles? Why on Earth would the Eagles, with Michael Vick and Kevin Kolb already on the roster, actually trade for Cam Newton?
Newton is the next coming of Michael Vick. By the time Newton is ready to play in the NFL, Michael Vick will be on his way out. Newton would be tutored by both Andy Reid and Vick and would then be ready to excel in the pros.
And what about Kevin Kolb? Yeah, what about him? He’s not as good as people want to make him out to be and I expect him to be traded since he’s not happy backing up a far superior quarterback.
This is strictly to game plan for the future as the Eagles would have a potential elite talent waiting in the wings.
1. Oakland Raiders
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Al Davis is the biggest reason the Raiders might decide they want to trade up.
The Raiders were rejuvenated in 2010, but they could be taking a step back should Nnamdi Asomugha bolt for greener pastures.
The Raiders still have time before they’ll be atop the AFC West now that the Kansas City Chiefs have emerged as what should be a consistent player. The Raiders need more star power and nobody they get waiting around in the second round will be able to provide as big a spark as Cam Newton can.
Jason Campbell is the starting quarterback in Oakland, and I’ve never been a fan. Yeah, he’s a huge step up from JaMarcus Russell. But then again, so are you or myself. Cam Newton with Darren McFadden and a good offensive line around him would be a lethal combination for opposing defenses.
Newton has the speed, size and arm strength Al Davis loves. If the Raiders really wanted to shock the NFL, they could trade into the first round for Cam Newton.
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