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Reviewing Ron Rivera’s first-round draft history with the Panthers

By Jacob Camenker

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 24: Head coach Ron Rivera of the Carolina Panthers reacts against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter in the game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on November 24, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 24: Head coach Ron Rivera of the Carolina Panthers reacts against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter in the game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on November 24, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 12: Quarterback Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers looks to pass in the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game at Bank of America Stadium on September 12, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 12: Quarterback Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers looks to pass in the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game at Bank of America Stadium on September 12, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

2011: QB Cam Newton

When Rivera took over the Panthers in 2010, their quarterback room wasn’t very good. The team started three different quarterbacks that season including Matt Moore, Jimmy Clausen, and Brian St. Pierre. They combined to post a 2-14 record while completing just 53 percent of their passes for 2,588 yards, nine touchdowns, and 21 interceptions.

To call that production woeful would be an understatement.

As a result, the Panthers decided to change things up big-time in their quarterback room. Moore, St. Pierre, and Tony Pike didn’t return to the team for the 2011 season. The team signed Derek Anderson to be a backup after he was cut by the Arizona Cardinals and they focused on finding a successor with the No. 1 overall pick.

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Cam Newton saw a meteoric rise during his final college season. After beginning his career at Florida, Newton transferred to play at Auburn and won the starting job for the Tigers. As the starter, Newton led the Tigers to a National Championship Game win over the Oregon Ducks and lit up the SEC with his strong arm and excellent running ability. There were some questions about whether or not Newton’s skill set would translate to the NFL, as he was raw as a passer, but Rivera liked what he saw enough to take a chance on Newton.

That pick paid off. Newton has been a Pro Bowler three times during his career and led the Panthers to the Super Bowl during his MVP 2015 season. Sure, he’s had his share of struggles with inaccuracy, interceptions, and injuries (in recent seasons), but Newton also changed the game as a runner and was a great dual-threat option for the Panthers. He was worth the No. 1 pick, especially when considering how the other top quarterback prospect from that draft class (Jake Locker, Blaine Gabbert, Christian Ponder) fared.

The Panthers could’ve selected any of the other quality positional players on the board like A.J. Green, Von Miller, or Patrick Peterson. But given the team’s massive need at quarterback, it made sense to swing for the fences and give the team a true top option at the position.

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