The Carolina Panthers, as expected, kicked off the 2011 NFL Draft by selecting quarterback Cam Newton with the No. 1 overall selection.
Newton, from Auburn, won the Heisman Trophy while leading the Tigers to the national championship in 2010.
One of my pet peeves about the draft coverage is already in evidence. Newton was shown on the phone and then celebrating with his family before the selection was even announced.
As might have been expected, Commissioner Roger Goodell was lustily booed when he came on stage to open the draft. His "let's get back to some football" quip did, however, draw some cheers. Sadly, Newton also drew boos from the crowd when he came on stage to shake hands with the commissioner.
The New York Giants have the 19th overall selection in the first round. The New York Jets have the 30th selection.
The first round of the 2011 NFL Draft starts at 8 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, April 28th and SB Nation has everything you need to prepare for it - NFL mock drafts, draft
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