Andrew Luck or Cam Newton: Who Would You Pick to Start Your NFL Franchise?

Cam Newton was taken with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers. Andrew Luck will likely be selected No. 1 overall in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Two uber-hyped signal-callers with two very different playing styles. Both are great players in their own right, but who would you start your franchise with if you had to choose one?

At this point Newton holds the edge. He is on the verge of completing his first full NFL season and has done a remarkable job as the Panther starter.

He has completed 61 percent of his passes for over 3,000 yards. Newton has tossed 12 touchdowns, although he does have 14 interceptions.

Newton's legs have also played a role. He has scampered for 400-plus yards and 10 touchdowns.

The gold standard for quarterbacks is winning. The Panthers are currently 3-8, but have fought hard in many losing battles. Last season, the Panthers won two games. Most were not close, and the offense was largely dysfunctional.

Under Newton the offense is cohesive. More importantly, the offense is exciting.

Newton's dual-threat style has translated better than expected to the NFL. He has great pocket presence and uses his legs as a last resort.

Reading through his progressions instead of abandoning the pocket too soon has been the biggest hurdle cleared by Newton this season.

Andrew Luck would have challenged Newton for the title of top pick in the 2011 NFL Draft if he had decided to enter. Instead, Luck chose to return to Stanford for a chance at a BCS National Championship and a Heisman Trophy.

Luck has thrown for 3,000-plus yards this season. He has tossed 35 touchdowns along with nine interceptions. Luck has also run two scores in for the Cardinal attack.

In terms of polish, Luck may be the right choice. He is a pocket passer, but possesses the ability to scramble when the situation arises.

Luck has thrown the majority of his passes to tight ends this season. The Cardinal lack a true star at wide receiver, and Luck has done a lot with very little talent surrounding him.

I can't see Luck having a bumpy transition to the next level. He plays in a pro-style offense in Stanford and has an extremely able arm. Mentally, he is a leader and makes very good decisions in the pocket.

Honestly, neither quarterback is a bad choice. Both have their pros and cons.

Newton has a chance to revolutionize the quarterback position in the NFL. His success as a dual-threat could pave the way for current collegiate talents such as Robert Griffin III.

How Newton plays in his second season will paint a clearer picture. Can he adjust to other teams' adjustments? The film will be out on him. Sophomore slumps are very real.

Luck may be the safer choice. I expect a 10- to 15-year career with a seven- to nine-year prime period. Based on potential and intangibles, Luck has the chance to be one of the, if not the best, quarterbacks in the NFL during his career.

In the end, I'd take Luck. Newton is truly amazing and has proved critics wrong on a consistent basis. However, Luck is polished, pro-style and traditional.