And now we see the affects of choosing to throw or not to throw at the NFL Combine. Cam Newton made waves last week when he decided to participate in all the drills, something that not a lot of elite quarterbacks do. Meanwhile, Blaine Gabbert took the conservative approach and decided not to throw. And what happened?
Newton didn't perform very well, and Gabbert didn't have the chance to not live up to expectations. So in SB Nation's newest edition of the 2011 NFL Mock Draft, Blaine Gabbert is the first overall pick, while Cam Newton slides all the way down to twelfth. I guess it's better to avoid potential failure than it is to take a chance on succeeding. Only in America.
As for the Redskins, SB Nation has them taking the same guy they have had them taking a lot this mock draft season, Alabama WR Julio Jones. Here is their rationale.
There are a couple of quarterbacks Washington could consider here, but neither is a snug fit for Mike Shanahan. Wide receiver is a huge need, and Jones - who absolutely dominated in Indianapolis - is a really nice fit both schematically and from a need perspective.
Jones ran an incredible 40-yard-dash time and did so on a broken foot that will require surgery. He should be healthy and recovered by the time the draft comes around, so that won't be much of a problem. he actually measured out as a better overall athlete than A.J. Green in most of the combine categories. He would be a nice fit, if the Redskins can afford to take him.