NFL Draft 2011: Cam Newton and 10 Players Who May Get Screwed on Draft Day
Players like Jimmy Clausen, Brady Quinn and Aaron Rodgers aren't the only players who get screwed on draft day.
Sure there are plenty of players who have unexpected drops, but there are players who get picked by teams that are just not good fits as well. Players who are already on teams can get benched if their team selects a rookie on draft day.
There is also another way that is unique this year for players to have their weekends ruined.
Here are 10 players who could get screwed on draft day:
10. Akeem Ayers
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Akeem Ayers ran a 4.8 in the 40 yard dash at the NFL Combine. That is way too slow for a 3-4 outside linebacker. It would be surprising if a 3-4 team took him in the first round.
If a 4-3 team isn't interested, he could go from being a mid-first round selection to a second rounder.
On top of his 40 time, he only benched 18 reps of 225, tied for second worst among linebackers. Slow and weak linebackers don't equal first round prospects.
9. Jimmy Smith
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Jimmy Smith is talented enough to be selected by the Lions at No. 13. Character concerns could result in a draft weekend fall though.
Smith failed a drug test and was arrested twice while at Colorado. He also reportedly lied about his past in interviews at the combine.
He could realistically slide into the second round.
8. Da'Quan Bowers
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Da'Quan Bowers is still projected to go first overall in many mock drafts. Those people must be living under a rock.
Bowers has very inconsistent tape. He's pretty much a one-year wonder. Most of all, who's going to want to take a chance on that knee?
He could realistically slide all the way to 12th overall to the Minnesota Vikings. He's probably too talented to drop any further, but it wouldn't be a shocker.
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7. Blaine Gabbert
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If Gabbert is selected first overall, it could be déjà vu for Carolina Panthers fans.
The Panthers have no second round pick which means that is one less player to help out Gabbert. That means he has the same offensive line that had Jimmy Clausen running for his life every Sunday afternoon. He'd have the same wide receivers, or even worse if Steve Smith wants out.
The chance of finding a 3rd round pick or later that can have an instant impact is slim. Blaine Gabbert would suffer throughout the season, and for the Panthers sake, hopefully not be ruined.
6. Cam Newton
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The same thing that applies to Blaine Gabbert applies to Cam Newton.
If he's selected by the Carolina Panthers, he'll wake up every Monday morning sore from head to toe.
Newton is also a player who is going to need time to develop. He'd be forced to play right away in Carolina which would ruin his progression. I can't believe I'm saying this, but he'd be best off going to the Buffalo Bills.
5. Jimmy Clausen
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Yeah, the player either Gabbert or Newton will bench. Did Jimmy Clausen get a bad deal or what?
He was supposedly a top 10 lock, but slid all the way to the second round. It looked like the perfect fit in Carolina, until he was thrown to the wolves.
Ron Rivera has no allegiance to Clausen and will hand him a clip board after the draft.
4. Ryan Mallett
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If Ryan Mallet had Tim Tebow's character, he'd be a top 10 lock, but he doesn't.
He performed absolutely horrible in interviews and there are unconfirmed rumors of drug use.
He'll fall to the second round because he's probably off a good number of team's draft boards.
3. Jake Locker
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With Jake Locker, it's not an issue of "if he could" get screwed, but "how bad" he will get screwed.
He was the projected first overall pick last year, but decided to return to Washington.
He's a long shot to be selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round, but he most likely won't even be the first quarterback taken in the second.
2. Every Veteran Free Agent
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Usually, free agency comes before the draft. That gives teams the opportunity to fill a few needs before the draft with veterans.
This year though, the draft will come first. Teams will fill needs through the draft and when free agency comes around, there will be a lot less action.
Every player will be affected because there will be less bidding wars, but players not considered top-notch and closer to the middle of the pack could really get hit hard.
1. Every Undrafted Free Agent
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Normally minutes after the seventh round ends, teams begin to sign undrafted free agents. Since there is no free agency, all of those undrafted players won't have that option.
They'll be unemployed at least until the owners and players strike a deal.
Now, could that fear of not being offered a camp invite turn some of the bigger named undrafted players to the UFL? Guess we'll find out in less than a month.
David Daniels is an NFL Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report and a Syndicated Writer. Follow him on Twitter.
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