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NFL mock draft: Cam Newton sprints up the list
Russ Lande
Sporting News
Though everyone seems to think the Panthers are focusing on Clemson DE Da’Quan Bowers and Auburn DT Nick Fairley in their debate over whom to pick with the first overall selection, we believe the discussion includes other players.
First, the organization will take a hard look at Auburn’s Cam Newton and have to decide whether he can be the quarterback to lead the team. If the Panthers feel comfortable that Newton’s off-field concerns won’t hold him back, don’t be surprised if they grab him.
However, if they don’t want to take the risk of drafting Newton, they must decide between a defensive end or defensive tackle. Although we think Bowers is the best prospect in the draft, the Panthers would likely go with a tackle from the trio of Fairley, Marcell Dareus and Corey Liuget.
They are just a shade below Bowers, and when you consider that the Panthers have two young ends (Everette Brown and Greg Hardy) under contract and a free-agent end (Charles Johnson, who is coming off a double-digit sack season) they want to re-sign, a tackle makes the most sense.
When the Panthers decide among the tackles, I think they will lean toward Dareus because he is the safest pick of the three.
Then in the second slot, the Broncos would have a tough choice between Fairley and Bowers, but I think they would lean toward Fairley because they have young talent at end but little youthful talent at tackle.
In the No. 3 spot, we think the Bills are putting up a smoke screen that they like Newton so another team won¹t try to trade ahead of them to get Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert. If it works, the Bills will snap up Gabbert.
After that, we believe the Bengals will pull a stunner and grab Newton at No. 4 and trade away Carson Palmer.
1. Panthers: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama*
2. Broncos: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn*
3. Bills: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri*
4. Bengals: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn*
5. Cardinals: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
6. Browns: Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson*
7. 49ers: Robert Quinn, OLB, North Carolina*
8. Titans: Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois*
9. Cowboys: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU*
10. Redskins: Jake Locker, QB, Washington
11. Texans: Prince Amukamara,CB, Nebraska
12. Vikings: A.J. Green,WR, Georgia*
13. Lions: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
14. Rams: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama*
15. Dolphins: Ryan Williams, RB,Virginia Tech*
16. Jaguars: Jabaal Sheard, DE, Pittsburgh
17. Patriots: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa (from Oakland)
18. Chargers: Cameron Jordan, DE California
19. Giants: Tyron Smith, OT, USC*
20. Bucs: Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri*
21. Chiefs: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
22. Colts: Danny Watkins, G, Baylor
23. Eagles: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
24. Saints: Ryan Kerrigan, DE , Purdue
25. Seahawks: Christian Ballard, DE, Iowa
26. Ravens: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
27. Falcons: Leonard Hankerson, WR, Miami (Fla.)
28. Patriots: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama*
29. Bears: Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
30. Jets: Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
31. Steelers: Phil Taylor, NT, Baylor
32. Packers: Mikel Leshoure, RB, Illinois*
*Underclassman
Russ Lande
Sporting News
Though everyone seems to think the Panthers are focusing on Clemson DE Da’Quan Bowers and Auburn DT Nick Fairley in their debate over whom to pick with the first overall selection, we believe the discussion includes other players.
First, the organization will take a hard look at Auburn’s Cam Newton and have to decide whether he can be the quarterback to lead the team. If the Panthers feel comfortable that Newton’s off-field concerns won’t hold him back, don’t be surprised if they grab him.
However, if they don’t want to take the risk of drafting Newton, they must decide between a defensive end or defensive tackle. Although we think Bowers is the best prospect in the draft, the Panthers would likely go with a tackle from the trio of Fairley, Marcell Dareus and Corey Liuget.
They are just a shade below Bowers, and when you consider that the Panthers have two young ends (Everette Brown and Greg Hardy) under contract and a free-agent end (Charles Johnson, who is coming off a double-digit sack season) they want to re-sign, a tackle makes the most sense.
When the Panthers decide among the tackles, I think they will lean toward Dareus because he is the safest pick of the three.
Then in the second slot, the Broncos would have a tough choice between Fairley and Bowers, but I think they would lean toward Fairley because they have young talent at end but little youthful talent at tackle.
In the No. 3 spot, we think the Bills are putting up a smoke screen that they like Newton so another team won¹t try to trade ahead of them to get Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert. If it works, the Bills will snap up Gabbert.
After that, we believe the Bengals will pull a stunner and grab Newton at No. 4 and trade away Carson Palmer.
1. Panthers: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama*
2. Broncos: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn*
3. Bills: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri*
4. Bengals: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn*
5. Cardinals: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
6. Browns: Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson*
7. 49ers: Robert Quinn, OLB, North Carolina*
8. Titans: Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois*
9. Cowboys: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU*
10. Redskins: Jake Locker, QB, Washington
11. Texans: Prince Amukamara,CB, Nebraska
12. Vikings: A.J. Green,WR, Georgia*
13. Lions: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
14. Rams: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama*
15. Dolphins: Ryan Williams, RB,Virginia Tech*
16. Jaguars: Jabaal Sheard, DE, Pittsburgh
17. Patriots: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa (from Oakland)
18. Chargers: Cameron Jordan, DE California
19. Giants: Tyron Smith, OT, USC*
20. Bucs: Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri*
21. Chiefs: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
22. Colts: Danny Watkins, G, Baylor
23. Eagles: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
24. Saints: Ryan Kerrigan, DE , Purdue
25. Seahawks: Christian Ballard, DE, Iowa
26. Ravens: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
27. Falcons: Leonard Hankerson, WR, Miami (Fla.)
28. Patriots: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama*
29. Bears: Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
30. Jets: Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
31. Steelers: Phil Taylor, NT, Baylor
32. Packers: Mikel Leshoure, RB, Illinois*
*Underclassman
