BTB Community Mock: Pick #5, The Arizona Cardinals Select...

The draft is really flying now. With Cincinnati's pick of Patrick Peterson, we've seen three straight defensive studs drafted. Arizona is now on the clock. The Cardinals draft room has been abuzz with many phone calls coming in immediately after Cincy's pick. It appears that many teams were supremely interested in the direction Cincy went, making them one of the key components to true draft day movement. It appears that Arizona turned back all of the trade offers and will make their own pick. Here comes the card.

Draft Pick #: 5

Team Name: Arizona Cardinals

GM: howboutdemcowboyz

Selection: (QB) Cam Newton, Auburn

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

HIGH PRIORITY TEAM NEEDS (lower number indicates higher priority) according to Drafttek.com:

Threat Level Red (priority 1-2): Quarterback, 3-4 Outside Linebacker, Cornerback

Threat Level Orange (priority 3-4): Guard, Left Tackle, 3-4 Defensive End, 3-4 Sam MLB, Feature Running Back, Right Tackle, Tight End, Center

Threat Level Yellow (priority 5-6):3-4 Defensive Tackle, 3-4 Will MLB, Strong Safety

Threat Level Blue (priority 7-8): None

Threat Level Green (priority 9): Receiver, Free Safety

Drafttek.com: #16 overall, #2 at the position

Wes Bunting, National Football Post: #53 overall, #4 at the position

Impression: A boom or burst quarterback who is dripping with upside and has the skill set to be as good as he wants to be. Has a list of character concerns already and figuring out if he has matured from his off the field issues is key. He's a guy who his teammates seem to rally around, but you need to have a gut feeling about this guy in order to feel confident taking him in round one.

CBSSports.com: #11 overall, #2 at the position

Scout.com: #12 overall, #2 at the position

Mike Mayock: #21 overall, #2 at the position

I know, Cam Newton at 21 -- why? I believe in this kid. I believe in him as an athlete, I believe in his arm strength, but I don't believe he's in the top 10. He's got top-10 ability, but he's a developmental prospect. As a general manager, I would be comfortable taking him somewhere in the 20s.

NFLDraftScout.com profile:

Accuracy: Generally demonstrates good accuracy, though he is inconsistent in the all important intermediate areas. Good ball placement on underneath routes and when hitting the back on the swing pass when he sets his feet. Among his best attributes is his deep ball accuracy. Possesses very good touch and trajectory on the long ball, showing the ability to drop it in the bucket from 50 yards out. Shows the ability to step into his throws and fire the slant, post and deep out passes, though his accuracy drops when he's forced to move his feet. Doesn't always reset, making quick tosses that are primarily "arm" throws.

Arm Strength: Possesses plenty of arm strength to make every NFL throws. Can zip the slant and deep out through tight windows. Good strength to complete passes even with defenders draped over him. Can flick the ball 50 yards downfield without significant windup, and closer to 70 when he does.

Setup/Release: An area of legitimate concern. Takes virtually all of his snaps out of the shotgun and while he clearly has the athleticism to handle dropping back from center, will be making the difficult transition of doing so while making multiple reads of the defense -- something he wasn't often asked to do at Auburn. Possesses an efficient, over the top release with good follow-through. Generally steps into his throws, though he will too often fail to do so when on the move. Stops his feet and will shotput throws, leading to passes fluttering and coming up short.

Reading Defenses: Another area of concern. Was only asked to make 1-2 reads at Auburn before having free reign to tuck the ball and run with it. Rarely was challenged with complicated blitz packages as collegiate defenses typically were more worried about protecting against the run. Essentially will be asked to make twice as many reads in half as much time in the NFL.

On the Move: Clearly his greatest trait. Buys time in the pocket while keeping his eyes downfield. Can elude defenders in tight quarters due to good elusiveness for the position. Rare acceleration. Possesses a second gear to sneak through cracks in the defense and break away. Possesses rare strength and size. Can bowl over defenders to gain yardage. Every bit as dangerous as a runner as he is a receiver. Capable of completing throws with defenders draped on him.

(MUSIC NSFWK, but it does rock!)

I think the consensus on Cam is that he is a boom or bust prospect, but I don't think that is necessarily the case. The Cardinals, with this pick, are daring to be great. When you are a franchise that has never won a championship, and just a couple years removed from a Super Bowl appearance- sometimes taking risks is justified. He goes higher than where he is on big boards, but it's not too often you escape a draft's top 5 without a QB taken.

Now on the clock, The Cleveland Browns and BlueEyedDevil. Pls email your pick to KDP10FOR10@gmail.com