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This is part of our 32 grades in 32 days series that we’ll be starting here at NFLmocks.com over the next month. In this series we’ll go in depth taking a pick by pick look at what happened in each team’s draft.

I’m going give each pick two grades one grade will be for the philosophy behind the pick, the other grade will be for the player value.

Pick 1st round: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

I’ve been behind Cam Newton the player in this whole process. A very good athlete with a rocket arm. A rare combination of size and speed at the Quarterback position that is enticing. He’s also shown to be a winner on the field, doing well in adversity situations on the field. He has said all the right things. And unlike a lot of people I actually applaud and respect the decision he made to throw at the combine in less than ideal situations.

Now for the Panthers this is a difficult call because I think Clausen could eventually mature into something at the QB position in the right situation. Picking Newton here is saying, bascailly that they forefited their second round pick from last year, which is tough to swallow only one year later. On top of that he’s not going to sit behind a veteran Quarterback like he would have in Buffalo behind Fitzpatrick, so it might make it more difficult on his long term success. Also in Buffalo they have a man who is excellent with quarterbacks, a guy who made Tyler Thigpen and Ryan Fitzpatrick look like very quality N.F.L. starters so Ideally I think Buffalo would have been the best place for Cameron Newton.

Philosophy A-. It’s hard to argue with grabbing a player you think can be a franchise Quarterback, it’s just a tough year to do it with grabbing one the year before early.

Player/Value B.   The only players that made sense going first overall, to me were a healthy Da’Quan Bowers or A.J. Green and maybe Marcel Dareus. I like Dareus, but who wants a solid, versatile Defensive linemen with the first overall pick? Cornerbacks don’t go first overall for a good reason. Newton is boom or bust as annoying as that term may be. He needs some refinement and solid coaching, and the Panthers must retool their offense if Steve Smith and DeAngelo Williams leaves. But solid pick overall.

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Grading the Carolina Panthers Draft - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Will Patrick Peterson be Taken by the Denver Broncos in the First Round?

When I was in high school, I idolized a lot of members of the media. One such guy who fit that criteria was Andrew Mason, the former Broncos TV host and current member of the Broncos media with MaxDenver.com. Mason is a southern Florida (Bucs) guy by nature, but has covered the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos in-depth, up-close, and personal–the two teams that pick at the top of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Mason is a good guy with great insights into not just the game of football, but sports in general. I recently got in contact with Andrew to talk about the NFL Draft, and I think you will be very excited about his responses. Topics were covered from the Broncos, Panthers, Bucs, to the most overrated and underrated players in the draft.

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2011 NFL Draft Interview with MaxDenver.com’s Andrew Mason - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football