Cam Newton could welcome mentor role for top NFL draft pick: Analyst
According to Cat Crave’s Dean Jones, both Cam Newton and the No. 4 selection of the 2023 NFL draft, Anthony Richardson, could welcome the former national champion Auburn quarterback joining the Indianapolis Colts as a mentor in the QB room — though the franchise itself may not be willing to entertain such an arrangement.
“This move would be welcomed by both Richardson and Newton, one suspects,” Jones prefaced before saying, “Whether that’s enough for some legitimate interest to emerge is another matter entirely.”
Newton was winless as a starter during the 2021 season in his return to the Carolina Panthers following a season with the New England Patriots. He sat out the 2022 season but appeared at Auburn’s March pro day in order to showcase his ability to throw the football and move in the pocket still.
Cam Newton’s college accomplishments ‘far greater’ than Anthony Richardson’s
Correctly pointing out that Cam Newton had a college career Richardson’s in Florida never approached. Jones still acknowledged that the presence of the former Heisman could be beneficial for the Colts’ young gunslinger.
“What better way for Richardson to flourish than with Newton alongside him? The signal-caller had similar physical attributes before becoming the Carolina Panthers’ pick at No. 1 in 2011, although his college accomplishments were far greater after one of the most memorable seasons in history,” Jones wrote.
Richardson, like Newton, had one season to sway NFL scouts into seeing his potential. The primary difference is that Richardson still had many believing more in his potential than his production. Newton’s one season was among the most singularly dominant in the history of the sport, and it resulted in a national championship.
The counting stats aren’t close, and the cultural impact the two had is not comparable in any way. If Newton can help Richardson harness all of his athletic abilities, he’d be doing the most he could since their college journeys weren’t all that similar.