NFL Draft 2011: Patrick Peterson, Cam Newton and Other News and Notes

Recent reports have LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson, a possible selection as the number one pick overall, scoring a nine on the Wonderlic Test, the NFL's version of an IQ test. Considering a 50 is a perfect score, it's pretty obvious that a nine isn't going to prepare Peterson for a career with a think tank. 

But will his low score affect his draft status?

Possibly…as there are some concerns as to whether he will be able to work in a scheme that plays different coverage’s. Simply put, Peterson might be best off playing man-to-man coverage where he can use his special athletic ability without processing who to cover or who to expect coming into his area of the field in zone coverage. 

Wide Receiver A.J. Green only scored a 10 on the Wonderlic and with the sophistication of offenses these days, I would be far more concerned about Green knowing the plays than Peterson's ability to cover. 

Cam Newton will be in South Florida this weekend with a private workout for the Miami Dolphins.  After that, Newton is supposedly scheduled to visit Buffalo on Monday.

In fact, Newton will go through several private workouts in the next month. But, something doesn't match up.  Several draft experts have Newton falling no lower than number three overall to Buffalo.

Yet, several sources wonder if Newton is going to be able to function in pro-style offense where he will have to go through a progression of reads.

Nolan Nawrocki of Pro Football Weekly is one of the more detailed draft experts in the business.

Do you want to know where he and the rest of the PFW staff have Newton ranked overall among all of this year's prospects? Try 31st overall.

I've also heard several people refer to Newton as "fake"," not genuine", or "just there to put on a show for the camera". That sounds like a huge risk to take in the first three picks of the draft.

Speaking of the risky nature of the early portion of this draft, I have previously claimed that while there is talent available this is one of the weakest drafts in memory.

It seems as though I might not be the only one with some doubts about the incoming class. For example, former general manager Charlie Casserly sees the potential for several busts in the top 10 picks overall.

Personally, I have significant questions about Newton, Green, Blaine Gabbert (coming from the spread, sidearm delivery, raw), Nick Fairley (work ethic questions, one-year of production), Da' Quan Bowers (injury concerns), Robert Quinn (production against weaker opponents, not a run-stuffer), Tyron Smith (has only played right tackle, light) all of which figure to be in the top 10.

What does this mean? I think you will see several teams try to deal out of the top 10 to try and avoid making some tough calls. Consider that the Panthers are said to be considering eight players, possibly even Ryan Mallet who is off some team’s draft boards. Point being is that they don't have a clear conviction about who to pick.

With the NFL moving kickoffs up to the 35-yard line, expect teams to put less of a priority on drafting return men. Most kickers will be able to put the ball into the endzone with some consistency. This isn't good news for the stock of players whose initial value might be on returns like Torrey Smith, Da'Rell Scott, Titus Young, Jerrel Jernigan, Edmund Gates,etc.