2011 NFL Draft Update – Luck Says “No Thanks” To Carolina Panthers

Andrew Luck has opted to stay at Stanford for another year despite the fact that head coach Jim Harbaugh seems destined to take the reigns for an NFL franchise this coming season, and this has rattled the 2011 NFL Draft board. For everyone that was on the edge of their seats to see Luck in the NFL, you can blatantly thank the Carolina Panthers for scaring him back in to college.

The Panthers, who have the number one overall pick this year, made it clear that they would draft Andrew Luck if he was available. Considering how awful Jimmy Clausen looked this season, it seemed plausible that Carolina would be prepared to offer Luck at least $50 million in guaranteed money to become their new quarterback.

Instead, Luck will return to Stanford with or without Jim Harbaugh and that has put the 2011 NFL Draft on its ear. I don’t necessarily blame him regardless of the money because nobody who is tagged as “the next big thing” would want to be stuck in Carolina hell.

This could very well be the final year where a top overall pick garners upwards of $70 million like Sam Bradford, Matthew Stafford and JaMarcus Russell have in the past few drafts. Carolina has every possible need on the board outside of running back, so they could go in any number of directions. Here’s a look at the rumors circulating in the upcoming 2011 NFL Draft with where Carolina could head with the top overall selection.

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They’re Not Drafting A.J. Green First Overall
The last wide out to be drafted first overall was Keyshawn Johnson in 1996 by the New York Jets. The first was Irving Fryar in 1984 by the New England Patriots. In fact, those are the only two receivers taken with the first overall draft pick. Nobody’s going to pay a rookie $50 million in guaranteed to catch passes, especially since Steve Smith didn’t produce with Clausen at the helm.

The Gabbert-Newton-Locker Debate Rages On
Blaine Gabbert is awesome and anyone that got to see him play this year knows that he’s going high in the 2011 NFL Draft. Cameron Newton has been an absolute break out sensation, and Jake Locker of Washington has been near the top of the draft for the past two years. Perhaps the only candidate of the three that is worth $50 million guaranteed is Newton because he makes Carolina a must-watch entity in the 2011 NFL season.

Still, Newton is a project just like Tim Tebow or Vince Young. He’s a run-first kind of guy and the SEC hasn’t produced that many viable quarterback products that have held longevity in the NFL recently. All three will deserve mentions with the top overall pick in the draft, but only Newton has that added financial incentive by at least making the Panthers intriguing next season. You simply can’t say the same about Gabbert or Locker in that regard.

Why Nick Fairley Will Get Mentioned Lots
Fairley is an unusually talented defensive tackle because he can actually play anywhere long the line. As far as intangibles go, this guy has them in spades. Brutally strong, dynamic in run stopping and pass rushing with a world class mean streak, Fairley is the kind of player you re-build your defense around. That’s why he’s worth the money, and will get mentioned as a top overall pick. From a financial value standpoint, Fairley makes a whole lot of sense for Carolina.

Vince Young Is Still In the Mix
Carolina can not screw this pick up. They simply can’t afford it. A 2-12 SU record was bad enough, but losing out on the chance to get Andrew Luck is an even bigger gut punch to their fans. That’s why I wouldn’t be surprised for them to trade down in the draft – where they can still take Fairley – by acquiring Vince Young and the eighth overall pick from Tennessee. The Titans would love to have a shot at either Gabbert or Newton to replace the recently banished Young, so don’t be stunned when they try to move up in the 2011 NFL Draft.

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