The 2010 Heisman Trophy winner, Cam Newton, leaves Auburn after his junior season for the 2011 NFL Draft. His meteoric rise to stardom was capped off with a National Championship and an expected high draft selection.

In 2010, Newton passed for 2,854 yards and 30 touchdowns. He rushed for another 20 scores and racked up 1,473 yards on the ground. 

Strengths

• Size (6-foot-5, 248 pounds)
• Unbelievable combination of size, speed and overall mobility
• Strong arm
• Insane level of production

• Worth the risk?

  Considered a team leader and commands the huddle's attention
• Elusive but strong runner with great vision
• Composed and collect under pressure
• Very good accuracy on deep throws
• Efficient release and motion

Weaknesses

• Off-the-field concerns (potential money-for-play scandal, possession of a stolen computer)
• Transitioning from a spread offense to a pro-style system - making reads, dropping back from under center
• Footwork - often relies on his arm strength and fails to reset his feet
• One-year wonder?
• Is he able to read a defense?

Expected draft placement

A lot of Newton's draft stock comes down to whether NFL teams feel they can mold him into a pro-level quarterback, or if they can tailor their system enough to allow Newton to do what he does best.

He is a better passer than most of the running quarterbacks that have come out in recent memory, but some of his negatives are glaring problems. He will probably need to learn behind a veteran quarterback for a few years before he is worth starting, but the pressure on a team to field their star rookie signal caller may be too great to resist.

Newton figures to be drafted anywhere between No. 1 overall (Carolina Panthers), which we feel is unlikely, and No. 16 (Jacksonville Jaguars). The teams that probably have the most interest in or need for Newton: Buffalo Bills (No.3), Cincinnati Bengals (No. 4), Arizona Cardinals (No. 5), San Francisco 49ers (No. 7), Tennessee Titans (No. 8), Washington Redskins (No. 10) and Minnesota Vikings (No. 12).