The BUST-O-METER is back again to break down our top 15 draft bust risks. The series of articles will look at two prospects per week breaking down why I feel they have a high potential for busting. Many factors played into my ranking including potential draft position. The draft position is very important because if they are selected high than what their production warrants it puts them at a higher likely hood of busting. These articles always bring a ton of feedback and are highly controversial which is what makes them so fun.
NFL Draft BUST-O-METER: #1 Cam Newton
For a reference, I like to classify a bust as someone that doesn’t live up to their draft position. This means that if a player is selected #1 overall I expect him to be a dominate player in the league. I also take into consideration what position the player is projected to play in the NFL. For example, if someone is selected in the top 10 and is projected as a rush 3-4 linebacker I expect to see a high sack total. Of course, there are many other factors that are specific for each player so check out the rest of the article after the JUMP.
Also don’t forget to stop by our Scouting Reports page to get an in-depth look at each prospect.
Player: Cam Newton
BUST-O-METER: 9 out of 10
Projected Draft Range: #1 overall to #5 overall
Thoughts: I doubt this is much of a surprise as Newton is the risky prospect in the 2011 NFL Draft. He took College Football by storm leading Auburn to a National Championship while winning the Heisman Trophy. Newton wowed the masses with his combination of athletic skills and ability to win. NFL teams have fallen in love with his potential, big arm, athletic ability, and popularity. While questions surround Newton, there is no doubt that he will bring attention to the franchise that decides to select him.
Newton possesses terrific arm strength with the ability to make all the necessary NFL throws. He has a nice quick delivery and is able to generate zip on passes to all throwing levels. His athletic ability makes him a threat to vacate the pocket and pick up yards with this legs. It also allows him to extend the play and open the possibility for big plays down the field. Nobody should overlook the fact that Newton led Auburn to a National Championships as knowing how to win is essential in the NFL.
However, there are more than a few question marks surrounding Cam Newton. One of the biggest story lines last year was the pay for play scandal involving Cam and his father. While all the details are still unclear, it appears that Cecil Newton solicited money from schools in order to have his son to play football. No matter the truth, Newton has drawn a blackeye from the scandal. There has been a lot of buzz involving Newton’s drive and desire with Todd McShay saying that several NFL teams question his work ethic. For the record, I don’t question Newton’s work ethic but other do.
On the field, Newton has not shown that he is immediately ready to step in and lead an NFL offense. He struggles reading defenses and quickly processing post snap information. The Auburn offense didn’t help his growth as a quarterback and it will take sometime for Newton to be NFL ready. He needs to spend time working on his footwork as well as his ability to take snaps from under center. His accuracy and ball placement also need to improve in order for him to be successful.
Overall, Newton represents great potential but the concerns are legitimate. He is #1 on the BUST-O-METER due to the likelihood he is selected in the top 5 of the draft. He currently sits at #16 on my Big Board and going from #16 to #1 is a major jump. The risk is always higher when teams make selections with potential being the main factor. I am not sure there is much of an argument against Newton having the most bust potential. However, if you have one please let it be heard in the comments.
See More:
