Cam Newton's Injury and the 2010 NFL Draft

That's right, the 2010 draft. It's not a type-o. For Cam Newton to understand what may happen to his draft status this year, he need only look to last year's NFL draft for a sign of things to come.

There are reports currently surfacing that Cam Newton suffered a serious injury to his lower back at the end of the BCS national championship game. This fact is causing questions about his NFL draft status. The 2010 NFL draft also had some questions swirling around two high profile college quarterbacks: Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy. Anyone watching the BCS championship game last year remembers Colt McCoy injuring his shoulder and leaving the game at the insistence of his father and the Texas coaching staff so as to protect his future NFL career. Colt McCoy, however, ended up not going until the 3^rd round, after Jimmy Clausen, Tim Tebow, and Sam Bradford.

Bradford also suffered a shoulder injury, sat out the remainder of his senior season, and ended up being the first overall pick in the draft. Bradford went on to be the starter on the St. Louis Rams and took them to the cusp of the playoffs. His rookie season was not stellar, but he showed signs of potential and led the team admirably for a first year player. McCoy was not expected to be the starter for the Cleveland Browns as a rookie, but got his shot after injuries to both Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace. Despite questions of his prospects as a true NFL starter, in the opportunities that he received, McCoy showed himself to be the most reliable of the carousel of Cleveland quarterbacks. McCoy missed some games during the season, whereas Bradford remained healthy throughout.

Despite Cam Newton's historical year at Auburn, he still has a limited body of work at the FBS (division 1) level. There were already questions out there regarding his NFL potential. With a back injury, these questions and concerns will only continue to grow. Is Cam Newton considered by NFL scouts to be a prospect on the level of Sam Bradford or Colt McCoy? Perhaps with last year's draft as a model, we will gain some understanding of where to expect Cam Newton's name to be called on draft day.