The sports betting world is used to knowing who the first overall pick will be in the NFL draft and hearing that the contract negotiations have already started. But even as March Madness betting begins, the Carolina Panthers have not given any indication on who will be the first overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft to be held in April. It would be a sports betting bonus to have it at least narrowed down to two potential candidates. But the best the betting services can do is throw out three possible picks and wait to see which one Carolina chooses. Blaine Gabbert – QB – Missouri Blaine Gabbert seems to be the player getting the most talk from draft experts. The Carolina Panthers have not had a franchise quarterback in many years. Jake Delhomme had taken the team to the Super Bowl in 2003, but his other seasons were average at best. Gabbert is a pocket-passer, and that may be the one thing that remains as a huge strike against him. The Panthers’ offensive line is simply terrible. Not even the best pocket passer in the world can operate when he is running for his life most of the time. But Gabbert has all of the skills needed to become a winning NFL quarterback. Over time, he also has the potential to be the face of the franchise. But it is a question as to whether or not he would survive long enough to become that quarterback that the Panthers need him to be. Cam Newton – QB – Auburn No one’s draft stock has risen faster than Cam Newton’s since the NFL combine. Even at the combine, Newton was not nearly as impressive as scouts had hoped he would be. But in private workouts and pro days since the combine, Newton has shown that he has what it takes to be an NFL quarterback. His athletic ability makes him an ideal candidate for Carolina because he can run from trouble and find ways to throw the ball. But the Panthers will need to decide if a run and gun offense is the way they want to go. Run and gun quarterbacks rarely find long-term success in the NFL. It is the pocket-passers that win championships. That is why coaches have been urging Vince Young and Michael Vick to refine their passing skills rather than relying on their running ability. But Newton has a cannon for an arm, and he has shown in interviews to be intelligent and someone eager to succeed. If the Panthers have decided to take a quarterback in the first round, then it will come down to Gabbert or Newton. If the Panthers want to try and win right now, then it may have to be Newton. Marcel Dareus – DE – Alabama Let’s not forget that the Panthers’ defense is horrible as well. Ever since Julius Peppers left, the Panthers have not had anyone to put pressure on the quarterback. The positive influence that last year’s defensive rookie of the year Ndamukong Suh had on the Lions’ defense, is making the Panthers think that Dareus may be the way to go. At 6’3” and only 295 pounds, Dareus is not your prototypical defensive end. But he is strong and he is very fast. If needed, he can be converted to an inside linebacker to pressure the quarterback and stop the run. The only problem with Dareus is that he does not possess the ability to be as dominating as Suh is. But if the Panthers believe they can get a good quarterback through free agency, whenever that starts up again, then look for them to take Dareus first overall.
Nobody trades up to #1, not unless a rookie wage scale is in place, then we might see it. I can't remember a time when it happened. But I maintain that the Panthers will take A.J. Green
trust me, it's gonna be a QB. Schefter says Cam Newton but others are saying Blaine Gabbert. Right now, there are very big odds both will be gone by the 5th pick. I wouldn't take either of them, tbh.
It'll be a QB. Even though AJ Green is the best WR prospect since Megatron, he's a notch below him and even Megatron didn't go first overall.
