NFL Draft 2011: Top 10 Teams in Need of Auburn's Cam Newton This April

Auburn's Heisman Trophy and national championship-winning quarterback has faced his fair share of critics since busting onto the scene last fall.

Cam Newton has been the subject of tireless scandal and the focus of far too much football criticism. Newton, a 6'6", 250-pound quarterback, led his Auburn Tigers to an undefeated season in 2010 and left the SEC—and college football, for that matter—with its jaw on the floor.

As April's NFL draft approaches in just over a month, several teams will be in the hunt for Newton, some with hopes of making him their franchise quarterback and others hoping to excite restless fanbases.

Join B/R as we take a look at the 10 teams in most need of Cam Newton's services next season and beyond.

Carolina Panthers

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Jimmy Clausen #2 of the Carolina Panthers walks off the field in the second quarter during their game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on January 2, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images

Carolina is first in line to grab Cam Newton or any other prospect on their board. The Panthers have needs everywhere, however, and that could cause them to avoid the glaring problems at quarterback.

Carolina currently has five quarterbacks on its roster, including last year's second-round selection, Jimmy Clausen. Clausen struggled in 2010 with the Panthers, as did everyone else who suited up under center for Carolina.

Newton would bring size and athleticism to the position, if nothing else, and would draw comparisons to another NFC South quarterback, Josh Freeman of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Minnesota Vikings

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DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 02: Joe Webb #14 of the Minnesota Vikings throws a first quarter pass while playing the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 2, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

The Vikings are coming off one of the most disappointing seasons in recent memory. Brett Favre came back for another season in Minnesota just to watch the team struggle its way to a 6-10 record.

Minnesota and the rest of the NFL will wave goodbye to Favre, however, as he has retired for the third and what looks to be final time.

The Vikings drafted a promising quarterback out of UAB last year in the sixth round, Joe Webb; Webb also started a few games for Minnesota down the stretch.

Newton could still be on the board though with Minnesota picking 12th overall.

Cincinnati Bengals

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CINCINNATI - DECEMBER 26: Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at Paul Brown Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals 34-20. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The current drama surrounding Cincinnati's quarterback situation is less than promising for a team that went 4-12 in 2010.

Carson Palmer wants out and has even threatened retirement if the Bengals don't trade him this offseason. If Palmer were to leave (which seems highly likely at this point), the Bengals would be slim at quarterback.

Cincinnati also has the fourth overall pick in April's draft. Experts believe Newton won't go that high, but they probably can't name the Bengals' starting quarterback next season either.

Arizona Cardinals

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 25: Quarterback John Skelton #19 of the Arizona Cardinals drops back to pass during the NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 25, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the

The 5-11 Arizona Cardinals are just another team picking inside the top 10 with a chance and a need for Cam Newton.

Arizona desperately missed Kurt Warner last season, as its offense struggled to move the ball and score points. Matt Leinart, who was drafted in 2006, was expected to take over for years to come. Uh, that didn't exactly happen.

Leinart was released prior to the 2010 season, and every other Cardinal quarterback since has been underwhelming, to say the least.

Newton will surely be on the board at No. 5. It's up to Arizona to pull the trigger.

Tennessee Titans

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SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 31: Quarterback Vince Young #10 of the Tennessee Titans drops back to pass against the San Diego Chargers in the game at Qualcomm Stadium on October 31, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Chargers defeated the Titans 33-25. (Photo by

Vince Young out. Enter Rusty Smith. Not exactly the words Titans fans want to hear. Unfortunately, it's the reality they face, as potential franchise quarterback Vince Young is set to part ways with the team this offseason.

Experts have the Titans snatching Missouri's Blaine Gabbert with their first-round selection at No. 8 overall.

Odds are another team jumps on Gabbert before then, and then what for Tennessee?

Well, unless they can pick up Donovan McNabb or another solid quarterback in free agency, it's likely Rusty and company in 2011.

Enter Cam Newton.

Washington Redskins

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LANDOVER, MD - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Rex Grossman #8 of the Washington Redskins throws a pass in the fourth quarter of a game against the New York Giants at FedEx Field on January 2, 2011 in Landover, Maryland. The Giants won the game 17-14. (Photo by

Nearly every draft pundit has the Washington Redskins selecting Newton at No. 10 overall. It's no secret that Washington needs a quarterback, and Newton is arguably the best guy for the job.

Donovan McNabb's one-year stint in the nation's capital is all but officially over, and Rex Grossman has a past, and it's not a very good one. Brigham Young's John Beck rounds out the list of Redskin quarterbacks.

Newton is suspected to be passed over for Missouri's Blaine Gabbert, making him the second-highest-rated QB prospect. If teams choose to avoid addressing their glaring quarterback situations, watch for Washington to jump on Cam Newton at No. 10.

San Francisco 49ers

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 02: Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers runs against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on January 2, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Former No. 1 overall selection Alex Smith has yet to pan out the way the 49ers had expected. Smith struggled early in 2010, similar to past seasons, and quickly landed in head coach Mike Singletary's doghouse.

Ohio State's Troy Smith filled in admirably midseason but surely doesn't look to be the future quarterback in San Francisco.

David Carr is the only other quarterback on the 49ers' roster, so it would seem San Francisco and new head coach Jim Harbaugh might have a quarterback on their radar at pick No. 7.

Cam Newton is projected to be available for them at that spot, but do they take him?

Jacksonville Jaguars

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 12: Quarterback David Garrard #9 of the Jacksonville Jaguars sits on the ground after a sack during the game against the Oakland Raiders at EverBank Field on December 12, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood

At age 33, David Garrard is clearly not the Jaguars' quarterback of the future. Garrard has been a solid starter for the past few seasons, however, and gives Jacksonville a shot at the postseason every season it seems.

The Jaguars' other notable quarterback prospect is Trent Edwards. A five-year veteran of the league, Edwards has yet to develop into the quarterback many thought he could be.

Jacksonville would be a much more quieter market for Cam Newton, and he could even turn the Jaguars into the Steelers of the South if they can build around him.

Chicago Bears

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears on the sideline in the third quarter after leaving the game with an injury against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago

After last postseason's Jay Cutler debacle in the NFC Championship Game, Chicago has been fielding all sorts of questions about its quarterback.

Cutler limited his turnovers nicely last season, leading the Bears to the NFC North division title and all the way to the conference title game. However, his knee injury suffered in that game and the overall play of Chicago's offense has raised questions.

Though they don't pick until No. 29 at the earliest, they could trade up for Newton and stick him under center with one of the league's best defenses backing him up.

Oakland Raiders

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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 26: Jason Campbell #8 of the Oakland Raiders sits on the ground against the Indianapolis Colts during an NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 26, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Image

2010 saw more disappointment for the Oakland Raiders, who managed to go undefeated in the AFC West (6-0) without making the playoffs or even finishing with a winning record.

Jason Campbell was solid as the Raiders' starter but eventually gave way to Bruce Gradkowski, who was less than stellar, throwing more interceptions than touchdowns. Kyle Boller, Charlie Frye and J.T. O'Sullivan round the quarterbacks on Oakland's roster.

Oakland's only hope to capture lightning in a bottle is to trade up, considering New England has its No. 17 pick from a previous trade. Newton in the silver and black? Look out, JaMarcus Russell.

Patrick Clarke is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and a student at Towson University.