While it is widely expected that Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton will be the number one pick by the Carolina Panthers in the upcoming NFL Draft, former pro quarterback and present day NFL Network commentator Joe Theismann said Thursday that Newton shouldn’t even be looked at until beyond the first round.
“To be honest with you, and I’ve never said this any place else, I don’t think Cam Newton’s a first round pick,” said Theismann of the Auburn University quarterback known for his running skills during a radio interview on WTEM ESPN 980 in Washington, D.C.
“I think that you have a number of quarterbacks,” continued Theismann. “You’ve got [Blaine] Gabbert, Newton, [Ryan] Mallett, [Andrew] Dalton, [Christian] Ponder, I mean, those are the top five guys everybody’s talking about.”
Those five quarterbacks, according to Theismann, are of nearly the same attractiveness in the draft, leaving Newton as not necessarily the standout front runner. In fact, Theismann explained, he’s underwhelming.
“You’re talking about a kid that started one year of football. He’s rushed the ball a lot more than he’s thrown it. He hasn’t thrown the football a lot. And when he did throw at the combine, he was not impressive.”
“Everybody’s talking about ‘Cam Newton this’ and ‘Cam Newton that’,” said Theismann. “If I’m the Carolina Panthers, I do not want this number one pick, guys.”
The first round of the draft takes place Thursday, April 28, followed by rounds two and three on Friday, April 29.
LISTEN: Theismann: ‘I don’t think Cam Newton’s a first round pick’
‘Sports Fix’ with Kevin Sheehan and Thom Loverro – WTEM ESPN 980