2011 NFL Draft Rumors: Who Will the Panthers Take with the First Pick?

Panthers owner Jerry Richardson said today that the Panthers are still considering 5-8 players for the first pick in the 2011 NFL Draft according to NFL Draft Bible. For the last couple of months it has been widely accepted that the Panthers will take Auburn QB Cam Newton with the first pick. I still believe that Newton will be the pick. Richardson is more than likely just trying to get a couple of the teams behind him to think he is going to take their player.

This is a tough spot for the Panthers. They were probably pretty excited when they thought they were going to get Andrew Luck with this pick, but once he decided to stay they were stuck staring in the face of Newton. He has so much potential that it is hard to pass on him, but he also has high bust potential.

I doubt it matters much who the Panthers pick for the Titans because the Bills will take Newton at three if the Panthers don't take him and whoever Carolina ends up taking would have been off the board at eight anyway.

Tune in to the 2011 NFL Draft on NFL Network.