re: Adam Schefter reporting Carolina Panthers.....

quote:

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I wouldn't take any of the QB's as the #1 overall pick. I personally would rather go with Fairley or Peterson, just my opinion.

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I understand the sentiment, especially after so many QB's have been taken #1 overall in the past and failed (ex: J-Roc, Alex Smith, David Carr, Tim Couch, etc.) while players picked after them later (Adrian Petersen, Pat Willis, Aaron Rodgers, Julius Peppers, Ed Reed, Edgerrin James, Torry Holt, Champ Bailey, etc) went on to super-stardom that the general fan thought was more obvious from the beginning.

But a hopeless team picking first has to inspire hope to its fans. DE's, CB's, OT's & DT's don't inspire hope (ie: sells tickets) like a QB does even if the other positions would prove to be the better pick in the long run.

There are about 12 teams with serious QB needs and there are only 3 (maybe 4 with Locker) as legit 1st round talent QB prospects. 6 of those teams have new coaches who want to put their stamp on a team with a corner-stone first pick. Most of those 12 teams pick within the first 15 picks, and only three of those teams will get one of those QB's.

Since quality QB's are even more a premium this year with no Andrew Luck, I have no doubt that the first overall pick will be a QB, if not by Carolina, by some team ensuring they get one of those 3 QB's.