Stanford Cardinal quarterback Andrew Luck is the consensus number one pick across the board in nearly every single mock draft. However Luck is only a redshirt sophomore.
2011 Draft: What Happens If Andrew Luck Decides To Stay At Stanford
So what happens if he decides to stay at Stanford for another year?
Luck’s decision could cause a ripple effect in the draft if he does decide to stay at Stanford for another year. ESPN’s Todd McShay has said he has been told by seven people that Luck is leaning toward staying, but who really knows what Luck is thinking at this point. Luck’s decision could hinge on whether or not Jim Harbaugh is still in Palo Alto or coaching somewhere else next year.
The Carolina Panthers, who chose quarterback Jimmy Clausen in the second round in last year's draft, must not be sold on him if they are considering Luck as the top overall pick. However, if Luck stays, then Carolina has a tough choice to make. Do they take the best available player or take the best available quarterback?
If Carolina wants a quarterback with the top spot, there are three choices that are available,valbeit a step down from Luck. There's Arkansas' Ryan Mallet, Washington's Jake Locker or even Auburn's Cam Newton; but none of those players receive anywhere near the NFL praise that Luck is getting.
The Charlotte Observer put together a list of players that the Panthers should consider if Luck is not in the draft, but none of the players on that list can live up to the potential that Luck has, according to the experts.
Andrew Luck has the ability to change the complexity of the draft by his decision to stay or go. If he truly is the franchise quarterback in the making that scout are hyping him up to be, it’s going to be hard for the Panthers to pass him by.
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