There’s less than a day remaining until the 2011 Draft commences, and we may have a clearer picture of which players will be off the board after the first two picks.
According to ESPN, the first team on the clock — the Carolina Panthers — have reportedly narrowed their choices to quarterback Cam Newton, defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, cornerback Patrick Peterson, and receiver A.J. Green.
Although there’s some talented prospects in that bunch, Newton is being touted as the “odds-on favorite” to be chosen first overall.
NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock, typically regarded as one of the best in the business, agrees, and has Newton sitting at No. 1 in his first mock of the year.
Additionally, ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio dubbed the potential scenario a “virtual certainty.”
The news shouldn’t come as a surprise; Newton has been projected to the Panthers since he declared for the draft. The team’s brass — owner Jerry Richardson, GM Marty Hurney, and coach Ron Rivera — are “convinced” that the Heisman Trophy winner has the skill-set to become a franchise quarterback.
Richardson, in particular, was “very impressed” with Newton after the two shared a long meeting at the owner’s house.
Until the draft begins, though, the Panthers’ braintrust will be careful not to reveal their hand, and will keep all their options open — for now.
“We talk about different scenarios all the time,” Hurney said. “Ron and I have talked so much, we’ve talked more to each other than our wives about stuff.”
Shifting gears a bit to Denver, where the number two overall pick won’t be as clear cut. NFL Network’s Kara Henderson has been at Broncos headquarters this week, and reported today that Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller may have passed Dareus on the team’s Big Board.
The Broncos apparently think Miller “can be a four-down player” for them, as well as a special teams contributor. The plan would be to play Miller at SAM linebacker on 1st and 2nd down, and then possibly kick him out to defensive end on 3rd down and pass-rushing situations.
However, with the draft approaching fast, this might be Denver’s way of purposely leaking false information via a smokescreen. Dareus would likely fill a bigger need along the defensive line, as the Broncos front was a sieve last season, finishing 31st in rushing yards allowed.
Traditionally, on the eve of the draft, speculation will be cranked up to the maximum. Similar to the nuggets above, expect a ton of rumors and projected scenarios all day leading up to the 8 p.m. start.
