WalterFootball's latest mock has the Panthers taking Newton

[Dpantherman]

Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

Cam Newton!? Didn't he just complete 11-of-21 passes at the Combine? Yeah, Newton struggled during the Combine drills and had a mediocre weekend. In the end, however, I believe the Panthers will select Newton with the first pick in the 2011 NFL Draft for the following reasons:

1. New regimes mean new quarterbacks. Yes, that's a cliche, but it's a cliche for a reason. The Panthers have absolutely nothing at the quarterback position, as it's clear that Jimmy Clausen is not the answer. I made a huge mistake when I underestimated how important it is not to be a loser in college. And I'm not just referring to wins and losses. Clausen is not a leader; conversely, he seems to have this Matt Leinart-esque sense of entitlement. There's just something missing with him.

Newton, on the other hand, is the complete opposite of Clausen. He's not coming out of a pro-style offense and he didn't have to make multiple reads, but he's a great leader whose intangibles are off the charts. This Carolina team lacks direction, so Newton would be the perfect solution. At least theoretically.

2. There's no other consensus No. 1 prospect; there is no Ndamukong Suh in this draft class. Nick Fairley measured in at just 6-3 and 291 pounds. Fairley also has only one year of high production. The same with Da'Quan Bowers; the Clemson end has a lot of bad tape, not to mention a bad knee.

Meanwhile, Patrick Peterson cannot be the top selection. No cornerback has ever gone No. 1 overall and for good reason; Mike Mayock and Deion Sanders explained that a cornerback, no matter how good he is, can't be the first selection in the NFL Draft because teams can just throw away from him.

As for A.J. Green, there's just absolutely no buzz about him going atop the 2011 NFL Draft. It doesn't help that Julio Jones outperformed him at the Combine on a fractured foot. Green is a stud, but it seems like he's destined to go No. 4 to the Bengals or No. 6 to the Browns.

3. Around this time last year, Adam Schefter called Sam Bradford to the Rams before anyone else. What does Schefter have to say this time?

"It would not surprise me one bit if in the end, ultimately, Carolina decides to go quarterback," Schefter said. "We've seen this movie before. I have a sense of where this is going."

Schefter referenced both Newton and Blaine Gabbert. The pick could be Gabbert if he blows up his Pro Day, much like Bradford did last year. For now, Newton's the top quarterback.

By the way, I'll have more 2011 NFL Draft and 2012 NFL Draft updates posted soon. Follow me on Twitter @walterfootball for any news and info.

http://walterfootball.com/draft2011.php

[Dpantherman]

Other 2011 NFL Draft Possibilities:

1. Da'Quan Bowers, DE - Carolina needs to improve its pass rush. Maybe they'll look past the bad tape and prior inconsistency, and instead see Bowers as the next Julius Peppers. His knee has to check out.

2. Marcell Dareus, DT - Marcell Dareus has passed Nick Fairley after a very impressive Combine. However, using the No. 1 overall pick on a defensive tackle with just one full year of starting experience is not a very good idea.

3. Blaine Gabbert, QB - If Blaine Gabbert blows up his Pro Day, he could emerge as the favorite.

http://walterfootball.com/draft2011.php

[1989]

I see us taking either Cam, Dareus, or PP...

[Lout]

Gabbert is going to blow up his Pro Day (because it's scripted), and he will surpass all.

[Jackofalltrades]

Make me puke.

Dareus

Peterson

Green

Fairley

Gabbert

[monstercat]

Surely those people are idiots, since they haven't been 100% right on every draft pick over the years.

Beat you to it, haters.

[Jackofalltrades]

Make me puke.

Dareus

Peterson

Green

Fairley

Gabbert

[mr beauxjangles]

walter cherepinsky doesn't know a damn thing. he created a website a few years ago with mock drafts two years out. shockingly he got tons of coverage because he's the only person stupid enough to think he can legitimately evalute team needs and college talent nearly two years from the actual draft, prior to a draft oder even being determined. it's moronic yet somehow people love it. he got lots of advertising revenue, quit his day job waiting tables after college, and runs this website full time now. its still a joke. the guy has no more background in talent evaluation than any other slightly above-average informed football fan.

[Squirrel]

If we keep the pick I want either PP or AJ

[1989]

Im going to be sooo pissed if we take Da'Quan Bowers... does anyone else feel the same?

[teeray]

WalterFootball is a great site.

I hope they got this one right but I admit I am not as confident as I was before the combine. Cam really needs a good pro day for this to happen IMO.

But I hope they are right, but I am coming around on Gabbert too so whatev, :)

Que the haters in 5, 4, 3, 2, ....

Too late they already hit it.

[TylerVagyler]

The 3 guys I want are (in random order) Newton, PP, or Dareus. Although I wouldn't be upset with Fairley.

[panthers55]

I never get these right so feel free to take this with a grain of salt but I really think we will either take Gabbert or Newton with the first pick. I hope we bring them both in and give them a thorough look. Seems to me either could be fine at this point. I still like Newton but I wish the money to play issue could be resolved one way or the other because I do think that is an important piece to the puzzle.

[Jackofalltrades]

Im going to be sooo pissed if we take Da'Quan Bowers... does anyone else feel the same?

Pissed? Probably not, but definitely disappointed we passed on a much bigger need with a better solution in Dareus. DT is our biggest need on D, hands down.