Gabbert vs. Newton in NFL draft

[NUance]

Gabbert Conclusion: When Andrew Luck decided to stay in school for the 2011 season, Gabbert became the primary choice among draft-eligible quarterbacks for those who are looking more at NFL-transferable skills as opposed to sheer college dominance. There are mechanical issues for Gabbert to overcome at the next level, but he comes to the pros at a perfect time, when even formerly smashmouth teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers are running trips, bunch, and heavy shotgun. He seems primed to meet the challenge and could be a franchise quarterback in the next couple of years.

Cam Newton Conclusion: Newton’s athletic and football upsides are so ridiculously high – we’ve never seen a player with elite receiver size and athleticism throw a ball like this before. In the right system, and if he meets his NFL team more than halfway from a leadership standpoint, he has the potential to redefine the quarterback position as we know it. Teams will simply have to do a serious risk/reward analysis with him.

College? Then maybe Cam Newton is better. But NFL?? I think Gabbert wins hands down, as a Sunday player. I'll be Gabbert goes #1 overall. And Cam Newton slips several spots, maybe outside the top 10. RIVALS LINK

 

[Judoka]

I think you're right about Gabbert being the best QB in this draft, but I think Cam still goes number #1 to some poor team.

 

[GMoose]

The thing with running QBs in the pros is that you have to have an entire offensive staff that is versed in it and dedicated to it. Cam Newton may redefine the position sure, but it would take some successful experimenting and some time.

Gabbert is ahead of Newton IMO, but not far ahead because he played in a spread offense. Then again, so did Bradford and he turned out just fined under center. Gabbert's got all the tools, great size, and awesome mobility. I could see him be a Bradford-type ROTY in the right system.

 

[Blackshirt316]

I wouldn't touch Gabbert with a 10 foot pole if I'm an NFL GM picking at the top of the draft. He has all the physical ability but something is missing. He reminds me way too much of David Carr - and not the college version, it took Carr getting the snot beat out of him behind a horrible O-Line to be what Gabbert already is.

He just hears footsteps too often. When there isn't pressure he thinks it's right behind him, when there is pressure he rushes his clock and often makes the wrong play as the right one (though to be fair, when it is right it's a pretty good play). And I never once saw him do anything remotely

NFL worthy against an Elite college Defense - Never beat Texas, Never beat Nebraska and only beat OU once and he really didn't win that game, special teams and the running game did - the year before last they killed him twice. He basically stat padded against the OOC (completion percentage averaged around 80% against junk teams but just around 45% against real defenses)

He's a solid west coast QB, but not a great one.. and he doesn't have the arm-strength or down-field passing ability to be anything more than ok at the next level. - He's a solid NFL caliber guy, just not a first round pick kind of guy.

As far as Newton, I'm still not sold on him either (this class is just really, really weak overall) but he's got the same size, same speed (if not more so) and same abilities that Gabbert has, but also has the *it factor* and arm-strength that Gabbert lacks., his questions are in the mental game.. is he enough of a workaholic to be an NFL QB and can he do what he did last year on a consistent basis or is he just a one year wonder?

Honestly, I wouldn't take either in the top 5, but if I had to choose one of the two I'd take Newton.. If both work equally as hard as the other during the week, Newton has a lot more upside on Sundays. And it's hard to know which one will be the better weekday warrior of the two without more access.

 

[Roark]

Maybe Cam will go to Denver so he and Tebow can compare Heismans on the sideline.