With the first overall pick in this year's draft, the Carolina Panthers are on the clock. There's no clear cut number one prospect coming in, so I can see this pick going quite a few different ways. My initial feeling is that they'd go Defensive Tackle to help improve a run defense that ranked in the bottom third of the NFL last season seeing as "defense wins championships", but with Ron Rivera coming in I can see him wanting a new face to the franchise (especially since Jimmy Clausen played horribly last year). The Panthers ranked last in points scored last season and ranked last in passing and total yards as well, they need some sort of offensive spark. They've got a great offensive line to work with consisting of Tackles Jordan Gross and Jeff Otah and Center Ryan Khalil, they've got one of the best Running Backs in the game in Jonathan Stewart, as well as one of the best game-breaking Wide Receivers in the game with Steve Smith. The Carolina Panthers offense needs a Quarterback that can help them win games in the future, as they are currently going through a rebuilding phase. The Quarterback that I think fits well into the Panthers current situation is non other than Heisman winner Cam Newton from Auburn.
Quite honestly, I don't think Cam Newton is the best prospect in this draft. I don't think he's even the best Quarterback in this draft class. The kid is oozing with potential though. He has the ability to bring thousands of fans to Bank of America Stadium on a weekly basis due to his confident attitude and his electrifying presence on the field. As a Junior at Auburn he rushed for 20 touchdowns and threw for 30. He is one of the most gifted athletes to come out of college in some time as he's a huge Quarterback at 6'6" 250 pounds with a 4.58 40, 35 inch vertical, and Quarterback high 10 1/2 foot broad jump. Mixed reviews came from the combine though as he went 11 of 21, missing on quite a few deep outs and some go routes. Cam Newton's deep ball is one of the prettiest I've ever seen though as he posesses great accuracy, trajectory, and speed on those throws. Despite these incredible positives, he is one of the least polished first round prospects possibly ever. His short and intermediate passes aren't very accurate at times due to him not always stepping into his throws. That is one of his biggest knocks on him as a passer along with his terrible mechanics, but these can most certainly be coached up at the next level if he's willing to put the time and effort in. What scares me the most though is his decision making. Yes, he does have the ability to make throws that no other Quarterbacks would ever dream of, but he makes some very poor decisions and throws at times. In college, he rarely had to make more than one read. If he didn't like the development of that route, he'd take off and run with it. Also, he came from a gimmicky offense that had him throwing to wide open receivers at times. If he puts the time, effort, and hard work in Cam Newton has the potential to be a phenomenal Quarterback in the NFL, but he's really a boom or bust prospect at this point. Is he worth the risk at number 1 overall to the Panthers? In my opinion, no. I don't think that'll stop Ron Rivera from absolutely falling in love with Cam though seeing as I have him going first overall to the Carolina Panthers on Draft Day..
I agree with you I think they will take Newton with the first pick but I dont think its the right one. Clausen did stink last yr but he was only a rookie. Give him one more year to see if he can do anything. They should take either Bowers or Darius and get the pass rush back that they lost with Peppers. Newton is not better than Gabbert, and I dont think Gabbert will even be a franchise player.
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