NFL Draft

The NFL Draft is always exciting. The best part for me is watching my favorite college players begin their journey into the professional world. I also enjoy mocking teams who pick my least favorite players and cheering when the teams I like pick solid candidates. The 2011 NFL Draft did no disappoint. There were a lot of great players taken along with several busts waiting to happen.

As everyone predicted, Cam Newton went first. But I still don’t see why everyone predicted that and why he was eventually selected by the Carolina Panthers. Running quarterbacks tear it up in college, but does their game really translate to the NFL? To answer your question, not really. To back up my answer, let’s discuss the NFL’s most prolific and successful running QB, Michael Vick.

During his time with the Falcons, Vick was a joy to watch. His running game was explosive, breath taking, and extremely fun. But spectacle doesn’t always win games. Vick took the Falcons to the play offs several times but never once did they make it to the Super Bowl and secure one of those coveted rings. With the limited success of even the best running QB, the investment in Cam Newton just seems more baffling.

Although Cam might end up becoming a bust, I doubt that #2 pick, Von Miller will. Miller played extremely well as a linebacker down at Texas A&M and is going to do great in Denver with the Broncos. The guy has all the tools he needs to be a great competitor at the next levels. He has got size, strength, speed, and vision, and his track record speaks for itself. As junior, he led the nation with 17 sacks, was a first-team All-American, and received the Butkus Award. I think this pick will end up serving the Broncos a lot better than Newton will benefit the Panthers.