Carolina Panthers: Should Carolina Take Cam Newton As Its First Draft Pick?

With the 2011 NFL Draft a little more than one week away, much has been said about the possibility of the Carolina Panthers taking Cam Newton in the first round.  Clearly, the Panthers are in need of a franchise quarterback in a league where the quarterback position is certainly the most important position. But, is Cam Newton the right choice? 

He may certainly be one of the best athletes to come out of the draft in recent history.  He could very well be a game changer for Carolina in the short term, but will Newton be happy in Carolina in the long term?  Many contend that Newton will only be happy in a high profile city like Dallas or New York.  By his own admission. Newton wants to be a football player, an icon and an entertainer.  Will Newton be able to satisfy this hunger on a small market team like Carolina? 

Over time, if Newton is drafted by Carolina, some fear exists that Newton will become restless, begin longing for a brighter spotlight, and ultimately become disenchanted with Carolina. 

Ron Rivera appears to be skeptical that Jimmy Clausen is the quarterback of Carolina's future, so it seems likely that a quarterback will be drafted or the services of a free agent quarterback sought.  Aside from the quarterback position, the Panthers have many needs that could be addressed in the upcoming draft. 

Caronlina struggled against the rush last season.  With a new, defensive-minded coach, and the fact that championship teams are built in the trenches, the Panthers may be well served to use their first pick on a defensive tackle like Marcel Dareus or Nick Fairly.  Of the two, Dareus may be better against the run, but Fairly is no slouch against the run and also has a penchant for sacking quarterbacks.  Fairly may have more upside for a team like Carolina, who is desperately in need of playmakers on the defensive side of the ball.

With their third-round pick, Carolina should take Greg McElroy or Andy Dalton.  McElroy may be the most overlooked prospect in the draft.  He has a superb accuracy throwing the ball downfield.  He is especially good with the mid-range balls that are the bread and butter of most NFL quarterbacks, he is poised and calm in the pocket and has outstanding footwork.  His mechanics are good.  McElroy is a proven leader, having won championships at every level. 

Finally, McElroy is arguably the brightest of all the quarterbacks in the draft. His high level of intelligence may allow him to make the adjustment to the professional game and all its complexities at a quicker pace than some of the other quarterbacks in the draft.  A second option may be Andy Dalton.  Dalton is also very bright; he is athletic, has good size, has good arm strength and is very mobile.  He is a solid NFL prospect that some feel will be a franchise quarterback if given time to develop.

If neither is available in the third round, then a free agent quarterback may be a good short-term solution.  Of the quarterbacks available, Dennis Dixon and Tavaris Jackson may be Carolina’s best options.  Both have a tremendous upside.  Both lack experience but could start right away, and both have the tools to be very effective in the NFL.

It does not appear to be a foregone conclusion that Carolina will pick Cam Newton in the first round of the NFL draft.  In fact, it may not serve Carolina’s long-term interest to do so.  However, in the win-now culture that is the NFL, Carolina may have no other choice.