2011 NFL Mock Draft

With this year's NFL mock draft, Carolina's selection is still very much up in the air, but we're getting very close to a decisive pick. News broke three weeks ago that Ron Rivera told Warren Moon, Newton's mentor, that he's "convinced" that Newton is worthy of the top choice in the 2011 NFL mock draft.

"I've seen all I need to see as far as him throwing a football," Rivera said. "I'm already convinced."

Moon then told USA Today that he believes that the Panthers have "locked onto" Newton. This matches what all of the Panthers beat writers have been predicting recently about the NFL mock draft.

Regardless of whether the Panthers decide on Newton or Gabbert, this pick will be a quarterback. Carolina has nothing at the position, and Rivera will be looking for his guy in the NFL mock draft.

Newton appears to have "it" - something that Jimmy Clausen lacks. I made a huge mistake when I underestimated how important it is not to be a loser in college. And I'm not just referring to wins and losses. Clausen is not a leader; conversely, he seems to have this Matt Leinart-esque sense of entitlement. There's just something missing with him.

Also, never doubt the great Schefter. Following the Combine, Schefter said on SportsCenter: "It would not surprise me one bit if in the end, ultimately, Carolina decides to go quarterback for the NFL mock draft. We've seen this movie before. I have a sense of where this is going."

Last Saturday, Schefter tweeted that he still believes Newton is the favorite in the NFL mock draft.