Darin Gantt has made it abundantly clear that he believes Marty Hurney will want to trade out of the #1 pick provided he can find a suitor. I completely agree with this assertion. Provided there is fair compensation to be had for the #1 overall pick, do you really think one of the most trade happy GMs during the draft wont do what it takes to maximize the value of that #1 pick? Say what you will, but when Jon Beason and Ryan Kalil are your litmus test for trading back and getting the guys you believe in it's tough to argue with this methodology.
The idea of trading back seemed like a pipe dream, that was until Cam Newton held his private workout for the media and now everyone is getting worked into a tizzy.
It first came with the news that (as it stands) there are six teams who have Newton rated as the best player in the 2011 draft, then Newton held his workout and Trent Dilfer was gushing, followed by NFL insider Matt Maiocco mocking Newton to the Panthers at #1, Charles Davis of NFL network said Newton would be a dark horse for the #1 overall pick and now Mel Kiper can boarded the train moving Newton up to #3 overall on in his mock draft (he has the Panthers taking Fairley #1 overall).
Next week will shake much of the dirt loose from these prospects and give us a better idea of who these players are, and what they have to work with.
It's important to remember in all of this that NFL teams give what equates to a rodent's hindquarters what Kiper, or any other talking head thinks should happen with a draft pick. However, the media often represent echoes of what they're hearing around the league and it does get to a point where one wonders 'just how many people could be setting smokescreen?'.
I know we've talked about Newton ad naseum, but he represents the 'Moby Dick' of the 2011 draft, and there are 32 Captain Ahabs looking to land the 'next big thing'. I just hope the Panthers find a way to maximize their #1 pick and get the most return they can.