NFL Draft 2011: Cam Newton to Panthers and Five Other Draft Day Disasters

The NFL draft has seen its share of busts, flops, reaches, falls, twists and turns over the years, and the 2011 version promises to provide its share of just that.

Some picks appear to be locks, only to backfire early on (see Carr, David), some take awhile to reach their bust potential ( Bush, Reggie), while others balloon to 300 pounds (Russell, JaMarcus) and make you question why exactly they pay talent evaluators so much to begin with.

If you're one of the following five teams, let this be a lesson to you.  I know it's tempting, and some 16-year-old's latest mock draft wants to take these players, but that doesn't mean you should.

Here are five sure-fire draft mistakes for the 2011 season.

Mistake No. 1: Mark Ingram to the Miami Dolphins

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Running back Mark Ingram of Alabama looks on during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

In 2009, the Dolphins were fourth in the NFL in average yards per rush with Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams.

In 2010, the Dolphins were 21st in the NFL in average yards per rush with Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams.

Hmmm, the running backs remained the same, the quarterback remained the same and the coach is still the same coach, so what changed?

The Dolphins interior offensive line was in shambles.  Justin Smiley was traded, Jake Grove released and rookie John Jerry was in and out of the lineup.

Clearly the running backs weren't the problem, yet most mock drafts have the Phins taking Ingram 15th overall.

If your car had flat tires, would you buy better gas?

Miami would be wise to avoid taking Ingram, or any other running back, until the later rounds and should address the line first.

Mistake No. 2: Jake Locker and Ryan Mallet Going in the First Round

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TUCSON, AZ - OCTOBER 23: Quarterback Jake Locker #10 of the Washington Huskies during the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats defeated the Huskies 44-14. (Photo by Ch

Taking Mallet or Locker in the first round is like the equivalent of dating a flag girl in high school.

You only do it because you're desperate.

Neither are worth the money they're going to make after being taken a round too early by a QB-desperate team (cough, Vikings, cough).

If you need a QB, and you're considering either with a 10-30 pick, stop, slap yourself and take Christian Ponder or Ricky Stanzi in the third round instead.

The risk is much lower and you're not providing them with a sense of undeserved self-entitlement.  Plus Ponder, Stanzi or Andy Dalton could end up being pretty good.

Mistake No. 3: Von Miller NOT Going in the Top 3

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Von Miller of Texas A&M works out during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Despite an ankle injury to start the season, Miller racked up 17.5 tackles for a loss, 10.5 sacks and three forced fumbles his senior season at Texas A&M.

To go along with the stats, Miller ran a 4.46 40-yard dash at the NFL combine and registered a 37-inch vertical.

This is the next great NFL linebacker, and Buffalo would be foolish not to snatch him, if he even lasts that long. 

He may just end up being the best pick in the draft.

Mistake No. 4: Bears and Colts NOT Drafting a Tackle

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TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Lineman Gabe Carimi #68 of the Wisconsin Badgers sets to block against the Tennessee Volunteers in the 2008 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. The Volunteers won 21 - 17. (Photo by Al Mess

Not a lot of elite tackles in this draft, but a couple pretty darn good ones.

This is great news for the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts who desperately need added QB protection and pick towards the end of the first round.

Jay Cutler spent more time on his back last season then, well, insert your own joke here.

Notable tackles Gabe Carimi of Wisconsin, Nate Solder of Colorado and Derrek Sherrod of Mississippi State could all be available at 22 and 29.

Peyton Manning is soon going to be the highest paid player in the history of professional football, a little insurance policy would probably be a good idea.

Mistake No. 5: Cam Newton to the Carolina Panthers

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

Let's make one thing clear.  Drafting Cam Newton is not necessarily a mistake.  Taking Cam Newton first overall when you just took a quarterback in the second round last year and haven't even given him a full season to start is a mistake.

The Panthers have other needs across the board, primarily on the defensive line where they ranked 23rd against the run.

The wide receiving core could definitely use an upgrade with the decline of Steve Smith, and taking an elite corner like Patrick Peterson would be a better option as well.

Andrew Luck was the only QB worth drafting with the first overall pick in this draft.  Reaching on Newton with so many other needs would be a huge mistake for Carolina.