With the first pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers selected Auburn quarterback Cam Newton.
No surprise there as Newton had been linked to Carolina back in February alternately with other prospects, but he's really picked up steam since then as the number one pick.
Personally, I don't like the pick. I understand that quarterback is a premium position, and Cam has potential and name value for a franchise that has sort of fallen on hard times. Still, the Panthers spent two picks on quarterbacks last year and are staring Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck in the face. I would have rather given Jimmy Clausen a chance to prove himself and grab Luck.
It doesn't help the pick's cause that I don't view Newton as a first round talent. He only started 14 career games, doesn't have good accuracy, and mobile quarterbacks have been more miss than hit. I would take a flyer on Cam in the third round, but he wouldn't be the quarterback I bet my franchise on nor spend the first overall pick on. It'll be interesting to see if the self-described entertainer and icon can put in the work and help Carolina return to the Super Bowl.
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