Cam Newton: How good in NFL, who will pick him?

Long road ahead

Athan Atsales

Los Angeles Times

Auburn's Cam Newton is said to be a combination of Vince Young, JaMarcus Russell and Tim Tebow. Anyone excited about that combination?

Young is about to be let go by the Titans and has yet to improve enough as an NFL passer. Russell is out of football, and the jury is way out on Tebow, another player who excelled in a college spread offense — an offense yet to translate to the pro game.

Sure, Newton will be chosen in the first round. Who can resist 6-foot-6, 250 pounds of athletic prowess? Perhaps a team such as the Dolphins, selecting 15th and desperate for an answer at quarterback, will pull the trigger on the big guy.

As far as how good he can be ... well, as with any player, a lot depends upon what team and system he ends up with. But to be an NFL star, there is a long developmental road ahead.

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Savior tag won't help

Keith Groller

The Morning Call

Talk about haves and have-nots.

At a time of year when you can't escape hearing wonderful things about Brady, Roethlisberger, Rodgers, Ryan and even Cutler, it's interesting to note how many teams need a quarterback. The Panthers, Cardinals, Vikings, Titans, Dolphins, 49ers and Redskins are looking, and one will see Cam Newton as an opportunity to turn things around.

Newton would be better served on a team where he could get more time to develop and not immediately be put on billboards as a franchise savior. Coaches crave quarterbacks who deliver the run/pass option, but Newton had only one great season at Auburn, and even in the BCS title game, he had shaky moments that created doubt.

Despite those doubts, it's hard to imagine Newton slipping below the Vikings at No. 12.

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Intangibles are key

Dan Pompei

Chicago Tribune

If you judged Cam Newton on talent alone, you would say he's a can't-miss star. Scouts have told me his talent compares well with that of Vince Young, Ben Roethlisberger, Daunte Culpepper and Josh Freeman. Newton has the arm strength to make any throw, and he is a big, powerful, fast runner.

But talent is only a part of the equation. Intangibles matter as much to a quarterback, and it remains to be seen if Newton has everything it takes to translate college success to NFL success. Maturity and the ability to make sound decisions off the field are issues for Newton.

Newton would be a perfect fit on the Vikings, where he could replace another quarterback known for drama and hand the ball off to Adrian Peterson in what would be one of the league's most talented backfields.

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Mobility an asset

Matt Murschel

Orlando Sentinel

Auburn's Cam Newton will head to the NFL with a Heisman Trophy in one hand and a national title in another.

At 6-foot-6 and 250 pounds, Newton's size should translate well to the pros. Similar in frame to Ben Roethlisberger or Peyton Manning, Newton should have no trouble seeing over NFL defensive lines.

Add a strong arm — he threw for 2,854 yards and 30 touchdowns this season — and his game is very similar to Donovan McNabb's. Newton's mobility will be an asset while trying to escape bigger, faster defenders than he saw in college.

Speaking of McNabb, his current team, the Redskins, could have Newton circled on its draft board. Coach Mike Shanahan continues to look for his next John Elway, and Newton could be that guy.

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