Nearly every source out there is saying that the Carolina Panthers will take Auburn quarterback Cam Newton as the No. 1 pick in the draft. They probably will and many experts think they should.
But the Panthers have a lot of weaknesses and could trade the No. 1 pick for multiple picks. Newton may turn out to be as good as advertised but I have to think it’s a less than 50-50 proposition.
First, he has questionable character, maturity and leadership skills. Does Charlotte, which has been through the Rae Carruth, Fred Lane, Jeremy Bridges, Bobby Phills and Kerry Collins situations, really want to risk it on a guy who has who has been charged with stealing a laptop and throwing it out a window when police can to investigate and a guy who was reportedly caught several times cheating in college?
Plus, while he has great size at 6-5, 240 pounds, he doesn’t have great accuracy as a passer. Many experts actually have Blaine Gabbert as the top quarterback rather than Newton, who is considered a better athlete. If the Panthers want to keep the No. 1 pick and want to go offense, they could consider A.J. Green, the Georgia receiver who should contribute on day one. They may even be able to trade down a few spots and still get Green.
The Panthers just got Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen in the first round last year. He wasn’t good in his first season but he has the skills to be an NFL quarterback. Why not give him an elite young receiver or trade down to get several picks including a solid lineman – such as USC tackle Tyron Smith or Georgia guard Mike Pouncey – to protect the quarterback?
The Panthers need help on defense as well. They could go with Marcell Dareus, the defensive tackle from Alabama, or Patrick Peterson, the cornerback from LSU.
Even if the Panthers trade further down they could still get multiple quality guys like Purdue defensive end Ryan Kerrigan, who was an academic All-America and team captain, and Colorado offensive tackle Nate Solder, an old-school All-America player who is smart and has a strong work ethic.
It’s looking like the Panthers want to make a flashy pick and that would be Newton. But the smarter choice is to trade down and get more help – they need it. Plus, they can’t afford to have a guy with questionable character as the face of their franchise.