Auburn Football: The five best, and five worst, NFL first-round picks

Auburn Football: The five best, and five worst, NFL first-round picks from Auburn

By Chris Roush | Mar 8, 2017

Dec 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) looks to pass the ball during the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium. The Falcons defeated the Panthers 33-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

2 of 11

1. Cam Newton, selected first overall in 2011 by the Carolina Panthers

Teams are looking for a franchise player when they have the first pick in the draft, a player who can turn around that team’s fortunes. There’s a reason why a team picks first — it had the worst record the previous year.

In selecting Cam Newton — who led Auburn to the national championship in 2010 — in 2011, the Carolina Panthers got themselves their starting quarterback for the next 15 years. He’s led them to three consecutive NFC South titles and a Super Bowl after the 2015 season, when Newton was named the league’s most valuable player.

Newton had a down year in 2016, and the Panthers missed the playoffs by going 6-10. But give him a better offensive line to protect him, and Newton should get the Panthers back in the playoffs in 2017 and beyond.

Home/Auburn All-Time Football Lists