Cam You Resist? Why These Teams Need to Avoid Drafting Cam Newton

For better or worse, NFL fans should get accustomed of hearing the name Cam Newton for the next several years.

The Heisman trophy winning junior, who led the Auburn Tigers to their first national championship in decades, has seen his draft stock skyrocket since the NCAA football season ended. Newton, who at one point was thought of as a possible first round pick, is now being discussed as a consensus top five selection.  After this weeks' scouting combine though, the question I have to ask is why?

On one hand, it's easy to see why NFL scouts, and analysts like Trent Dilfer, are drooling when they see his potential.  The man is one of the most powerful quarterback prospects in history, and no one can deny how dominant he was during Auburn's undefeated season.

However, his spotty accuracy at the combine, his so-so interviews , and the myriad of off-field issues in college should all serve as warnings that Newton might be more JaMarcus Russell than Michael Vick.

Despite all these warning signs, there will be a team that will undoubtedly convince themselves that they can mentor this man into the NFL's next great quarterback.  To me, this would be a mistake, as there are other quarterbacks out there who may very well have better careers, not to mention a lot of teams thought to be interested in his services who have more pressing needs.

Here are ten teams that are most likely to show interest in Newton, but why they should avoid him come draft day.  

1) Carolina Panthers

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Jimmy Clausen #2 of the Carolina Panthers looks on from the sidelines during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on January 2, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

More pressing needs:  Defensive front line, Wide Receiver, Defensive Backfield

Best person to draft:  Nick Fairley (Auburn)

Synopsis:  The Panthers have already invested time and money into Jimmy Clausen, who was fed to the wolves last year.  Having to play with mostly back-ups at every offensive skill position, Clausen struggled, but showed promise in the last few games of the year.   The Panthers need help at almost every position, and never recovered from the loss of Julius Peppers.  Nick Fairley could be the new franchise player on defense. 

2) Buffalo Bills

Nick Laham/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 05: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Buffalo Bills watches on from the sideline against the Minnesota Vikings at the Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on December 5, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by

More pressing needs:  Every position on defense.

Best person to draft:  Da'Quan Bowers (Clemson), Patrick Peterson (LSU), Von Miller (Texas A&M)

Synopsis:  If you look at their record, the Bills were one of the worst teams in football.  But when you consider how close they came to beating teams like the Steelers, Ravens, Chiefs and Bears, it's clear the Bills could have easily won six or seven games. 

The fact is the Bills actually had a very competent offense, led by Ryan Fitzpatrick.  Until the final games of the year against the Jets and Patriots, Fitzpatrick was arguably one of the ten best quarterbacks in football.  Quarterback is the least of their problems. The needs for this team are on the other side of the ball, which couldn't stop the run or get to the quarterback. 

A guy like Bowers could help the pass rush, while Von Miller could bring immediate help to their linebacking corps.  

3) Cincinnati Bengals

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 21: Chad Ochocinco #85 and Terrell Owens #81 of the Cincinnati Bengals watch from the sideline during the final minutes of the Bengals 49-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Paul Brown Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

More pressing needs:  Wide Receiver, Defensive End

Best person to draft:  AJ Green (Georgia)

Synopsis:  With Carson Palmer demanding he be traded out of Cincy, there will be temptation to draft Newton.  For a team with playoff talent on much of its roster, drafting someone who will be a work in progress doesn't make sense. 

The most pressing need will be replacing, at the least, Terrell Owens, and probably Chad Ochocinco, who has worn out his welcome.  AJ Green would be a perfect choice for them, as he looks like the best game changing wide receiver on the board. 

4) Arizona Cardinals

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 2: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a touchdown against the San Francisco 49er during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on January 2, 2011 in San Francisco, California.(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

More pressing needs: Left Tackle, Outside Linebacker, Safety

Best persons to draft:  Von Miller (Texas A&M), Nate Solder (Colorado)

Synopsis:  No one can deny the biggest weakness the team had last year was the loss of Kurt Warner (though having no Anquan Boldin didn't help either).  The Cardinals struggled mightily with a rotating door of inept quarterbacks.  But in a very winnable NFC West, the best route to solve this issue is bringing in an experienced veteran like Donovan McNabb, or someone with better upside such as Kevin Kolb. It cannot be discounted that Fitzgerald needs to see immediate improvement with this team or he'll almost certainly walk for greener pastures. 

As for the draft, Von Miller would be perfect for this team if available.  The team is old at this position and needs new blood.  If Miller is gone, the Cards might have to reach a bit and draft Solder at tackle, as Levi Brown was a problem on the line last year. 

Either choice can help more than Newton, and this team could win the division again with a proven NFL player to lead them.

5) San Francisco 49'ers

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - DECEMBER 12: Nate Clements #22 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after an interception against the Seattle Seahawks during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on December 12, 2010 in San Francisco, California.(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty

More pressing needs:  Cornerback, Wide Receiver, Defensive Tackle

Best player to draft:  Patrick Peterson(LSU), Prince Amukamara (Nebraska),

Synopsis:  The 49'ers are a team that needs a new quarterback, as it's well established that Alex Smith has no future there.  Troy Smith and David Carr also don't appear to be answers.  But do the Niners and its fans really want to invest tens of millions of dollars into a quarterback that didn't play in a pro system, just like Smith? 

The answer should be a resounding NO!  The best option is to get a veteran like Kyle Orton to help shore up the position

The Niners have a major need at cornerback, and Peterson and Amukamara are two guys that should be able to start immediately for this team.  If for some reason neither was available, it would mean that someone like AJ Green was, which combined with Michael Crabtree could set up a dynamic duo. 

6) Tennessee Titans

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 21: Quarterback Vince Young #11 of the Tennessee Titans talks with a member of the training staff after leaving a game against the Washington Redskins at LP Field on November 21, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Redskins won 19-

More pressing needs:  Interior offensive line, defensive front

Best player to draft:  Marcell Dareus (Alabama)

Synopsis:  After seven weeks of the 2010 season, life seemed good for the Titans.  They were 5-2, in first place and were full speed ahead.  That's when the season turned into a train wreck, and after the dust settled, the team has no quarterbacks and Jeff Fisher is gone. 

This will be the start of a new generation of football at Tennessee, and if you would look at the team, drafting a quarterback makes sense.  If they were going to though, would you select Newton, who looks very similar to Vince Young and like Young, already has off field issues?  Or would you draft Blaine Gabbertt, who looks much more ready for the pros?

The answer might well be neither as Dareus, a defensive front specialist who can play end and tackle, would be perfect for a team that struggled at this position last year. 

The Titans are a team with a great running back, but need help almost everywhere else right now.  Bringing in a veteran would be a better move here, while waiting to draft someone like Jake Locker later on in the draft.

7) Washington Redskins

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins on the sidelines against play against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

More pressing needs:  Running Back, Wide Receiver, Cornerback

Best player to draft:  Prince Amukamara (Nebraska), Julio Jones (Alabama)

Synopsis:  Much of what was said about Tennessee applies here.  The team turned into a mess with the drama of Donovan McNabb and Albert Haynesworth. 

They do need a quarterback, but the last thing the Redskins franchise needs is more drama.  And when you have a quarterback like Newton already proclaiming he is going to be an icon, this would be a terrible environment for him to develop in. 

Again, if they go for a quarterback, Blaine Gabbert would be a much better pick if available.  If not, the Redskins have needs at many other skill positions, most notably running back.  Taking Ingram at 10 may be too high. Taking Jones to help Santana Moss or having Amukamara to lead their cornerbacks makes more sense. 

8) Minnesota Vikings

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 28: Injured Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings stands on the field during thier game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 26, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ji

More pressing needs:  Defensive front, Safety, Wide Receiver

Best player to draft:  Robert Quinn (North Carolina), Julio Jones (Alabama), Corey Liuget (Illinois)

Synopsis:  There is perhaps no better example of how fortunes in the NFL can change than the Vikes. In 2009, the Vikings were a dominant team that came oh so close to getting to the Super Bowl.  Last year, almost every aspect that made the '09 team great had disappeared. 

Brett Favre went from a spry veteran to an old man within a season, the dominant pass rush was gone, and the timely 3rd down conversions that helped move the chains left too.  The team obviously needs a new quarterback, and Donovan McNabb and Kevin Kolb would be perfect here to operate the west coast offense.

The team would be better served drafting Quinn who, along with Jared Allen, could make the best 1-2 pass rushing tandem in the NFL.  Liuget is a tackle who could come in and prepare to take over for one of the Williamses in the middle.   The Vikings may also take a look at Jones, since they may very well lose Sidney Rice to free agency. 

All of these areas are better for their draft than taking a risk with Newton.  

9) Miami Dolphins

Nick Laham/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 12: Head coach of the Miami Dolphins, Tony Sparano on the sideline against the New York Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium on December 12, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

More pressing needs:  Running Back, Wide Receiver, Safety

Best person to draft:  Mark Ingram (Alabama), Julio Jones (Alabama), Rahim Moore (UCLA)

Synopsis:  The Dolphins should thank the Titans and Redskins for taking all the press clippings in terms of dysfunctional franchises.  Miami's ownership broke NFL code and frankly, actual rules by not hiding their interest in Jim Harbaugh while Tony Sparano was still employed.  Ultimately, Harbaugh went to San Francisco and the team is left with a coach who knows his superiors don't want him there. 

Is that really the environment you'd want a player with shaky off-field issues to come into? 

The Dolphins shouldn't give up on Henne yet, who showed flashes of brilliance in 2009.  The team has more pressing needs getting fresh legs in the backfield and finding another receiver to compliment Brandon Marshall. 

If both guys are gone, it'd be in the best interest of the team to target a guy like Rahim Moore at safety, as the Dolphins were woeful against the deep ball last year. 

10) Jacksonville Jaguars

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 26: Quarterback David Garrard #9 of the Jacksonville Jaguars attempts a pass during the game against the Washington Redskins at EverBank Field on December 26, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Image

More pressing needs:  Defensive backfield, Defensive front, Wide Receiver

Best player to draft: Adrian Clayborn (Iowa), Rahim Moore (UCLA)

Synopsis:  For the second consecutive year, the Jags floundered down the stretch, finishing 8-8.  For a franchise that needs to put butts in the seats, being a middling team will not do.  The other thing that it cannot stand for is a below average defense, which it was for much of the year.  The team needs help almost everywhere on D.  With many of the top prospects gone, Clayborn could help the pass rush, but the team might have to reach and snag Rahim Moore, who could help them at the defensive backfield.

Ultimately, while David Garrard is not going to go to anymore Pro Bowls, he's good enough where they don't have to draft a new quarterback.  Not when they have to plug in numerous holes on defense. 

In Conclusion

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Cam Newton passes the ball during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

In the end, the odds are a team will not be able to resist the potential of Newton.  But if I were a fan of that team, I'd be wary of what I was getting.  A player with off-field problems, with only one year of success in a non pro system that struggled at a combine sounds awfully dangerous.  It will be curious to see which team snags him.

Personally?  I think he'll end up a Redskin, but it's anyone's guess.   The question is, would you want him on your team?