There’s been talk of LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson being the number one pick in the draft because he’ll be the safest pick, but I can’t see it. I agree that he’s an amazing athlete who will immediately be a shut down cornerback and one of the best punt and kick returner in the NFL.
Peterson has great size for a corner, standing six foot, weighing 219 and running a blazing 4.34 in the forty-yard dash. He’s a very 
safe pick because rarely do you have busts when cornerbacks are picked so high. Still he doesn’t have the value of a franchise quarterback.
Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley may have the biggest upside because of his exceptional athleticism, long arms , quickness and speed at 300 pounds. There’s not a more valuable defensive player than a dominant defensive tackle and he has the ability to be one in the NFL. If a dominant defensive tackles isn’t blocked then the play is in trouble whether it’s a running play or a passing play.
You can build a defensive around a player with Fairley’s potential. Even when a dominant defensive tackle is blocked, he’s helping his teammates by taking up two blockers. Fairley has shown me he can be a dominant player, but he still doesn’t have the value of a franchise quarterback.
I think the Carolina Panthers will look closely at Peterson and Fairley, but in the end I see them taking one of the top quarterbacks either Blaine Gabbert or Cam Newton with their first pick.
New head coach Ron Rivera knows that the difference in the most of the good teams in the NFL and the ones who are bad and thinking about getting a new coach, is the quarterback. The good teams have guys behind center who can get the job done and the bad teams don’t.
Both Gabbert and Newton are great athletes with great arms. They’ll need to be developed, but they’ve got the potential to be great.
I don’t think anybody had any idea that Gabbert was such an extraordinary athlete until the combine. Newton was expected to jump off the charts, but Gabbert was right there with him.
Gabbert has ideal size and a great arm. He can make all the throws, plus get out of trouble with his legs.
Newton possesses great leadership skills. I was listening to him to talk to his teammates prior to one of the big games and you see and hear a big-time leader. The other thing I love about Newton was his ability to excel on the field despite being in the midst of controversy.
This is an aspect of the NFL that coaches and player personnel people don’t always look at closely. A quarterback has to be able to deal with controversy and despite it, think clearly during pressure situations with everything on the line. Newton played one year at Auburn and delivered the National Championship. He also won a National Championship at the Junior College level and that’s not a coincidence.
These are all reasons, why I feel strongly that one of the quarterbacks will be the number one pick in the draft. At this moment on March 15, 2011, I think the pick is going to be Gabbert.
Take a look at the Combine workouts of Gabbert and Newton.
Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
Height: 6’4″ Weight: 232
Combine Results
40 time: 4.62
Bench Press:
Vertical Jump: 33.5″
Broad Jump: 10’0″
20-yd shuttle: 4.26
60-yd shuttle:
3-cone drill: 6.84
Additional Measurements
Hands: 10″
Arms: 33″
Cameron Newton, QB, Auburn 
Height: 6’5″ Weight: 248
Combine Results
40 time: 4.59
Bench Press:
Vertical Jump: 35″
Broad Jump: 10’6″
20-yd shuttle: 4.18
60-yd shuttle:
3-cone drill: 6.92
Additional Measurements
Hands: 9 7/8″
Arms: 33 3/4″
Panthers would love to trade down but probably have no suitors to give up multiple picks .. They have big needs across their Defensive Line and the DT positon in particular. I think they will go with Fairley or Darues who can come in
year #1 and contribute and help fill a need fo years to come..
I am not sure they are sold (like many NFL Observors) that either Gabbert/Newton are legitimate #1 QB’s that can play in the NFL anytime soon…
I bet if Eagles offered their 1st Rd (#23 Pick) a 4th Rd (#120th) and DT M Patterson, the Panthers would jump on it in a heartbeat to address other needs nad to avoid having to pay an overall #1 Choice the big $$$$…
Panthers should give Clausen another year before bailing on him. They dont have a 2nd round pick and holes everywhere. If they draft a QB, they will suck again for 3-5 years. I dont see them getting any takers to trade out of the #1 spot because everyone thinks they are taking a QB. The Panthers should go with Peterson, the best player in the draft – period.
G I couldnt disagree with you more. The Panther know they are not going to win anything with in the next 3 years. They will either trade down or select the best Defensive player either Bowers, or Fairley
G, you are right…… No position is more valuable than a franchise QB. The problem is, I don’t see any QB in this draft class as a franchise QB. Remember how highly touted Claussen was? He was regarded as a possible franchise QB as much as these guys, if not more. I don’t think they go QB and here is my reasoning…….
If they go QB with the 1st pick a year after they grabbed one with their 1st pick (2nd round) last year, they better make sure that he is a franchise QB, because if not…… They surely won’t be coaching/GMing this team long, and I don’t thing any of these guys are a surefire thing. I see it as too much of a risk to take a QB first when they took one early last year.
If Standford QB Andrew Luck was availalbe in this draft, then I could see the Panthers or whoever had the # 1 grab him as their Franchise QB.. but Gabbert/Newton/Locker/Mallet are all 2-3 year projects before making an impact
I believe.. I would stock up on picks, and other needs and then take a chance in the 4th/5th Round with a Pat Devlin, Colin Kapernick, Andrew Dalton who I don’t think are much of a drop off than the Top 4 that everyone mentions..
I dont see any of these top QBs as a “franchise” QB….Bradford is so far above Gabbert and Newton its not even funny…. if the QB depth wasnt so weak in the NFL, they would be 2nd round picks at best. These teams are better of dealing for Kolb or Orton.
in this time / unsettlement of the rookie salary cap , is this when you gamble on a pick/ qb or trade on several picks? newton might come at half the price of bradford , do you take the chance ?