Cam Newton Is A Patriot And How That Affects the QB Landscape

Now that Cam Newton has officially signed with the Patriots, it’s time to unpack what it means for the QB landscape. Bill Belichick is a known defensive genius, but he’s been the man on the sideline for many great offenses as well. They’ve all been with Tom Brady, however, who couldn’t be more of a different athlete than Newton. 2020 will allow Belichick to be more creative than he’s ever been on the offensive side of the ball.

2019 was lost for Newton, who also left fantasy owners with a sour taste in their mouth toward the end of 2018 as he battled a bad throwing shoulder. Newton is not a precise passer. He’s only topped a 60% completion mark three times in his career, and in New England he will not have the benefit of elite skill players. His top receiver is 34-year-old Julian Edelman, who works primarily from the slot, and on the outside he’s got Mohamed Sanu and N’Keal Harry. James White is a premier receiver out of the backfield – we’ve seen Newton work well with Christian McCaffery, so buy some White stock – and there’s no tight end of note in the picture. But throwing is not why you’re drafting Cam. When Newton does put up big passing numbers, as he did in 2015, he wins you your league. But most seasons Newton is around 3,300-3,500 yards and 20-25 touchdowns. The reason you’ve wanted Newton in the past is what he offers on the ground. And in New England, on a one-year deal, the Patriots will not be afraid to ride Newton’s legs until they fall off.

Players like Kyler Murray and Josh Allen are rocketing up draft boards because of what they can do with their legs, and Lamar Jackson owned fantasy football last season because of his rushing contributions. Newton isn’t quite Jackson, but he’s been a dominant rusher for years. Prior to 2018, when Newton played in just 14 games, he’d never rushed for fewer than five touchdowns. Excluding 2019, Newton has never averaged fewer than 6.9 rushing attempts per game, and averaged fewer than 35 rushing yards per game only once (really twice, but he was at 34.9 in 2018). And while Michael Vick and Lamar Jackson are absolutely more gifted pure rushers, Newton is the GOAT of goal line rushing QBs. Bills QB Josh Allen is following in his footsteps, and he’s currently the No. 7 QB off the board. Would you really take Allen over the man who fathered his style, and also has the greatest coach ever potentially helping him smooth the rough edges in his game?

The Patriots have always come up with creative solutions to their issues, and Newton is no different. They sorely lacked playmakers last season, and didn’t add anyone significant to their skill crew in the draft or free agency. Instead, they’ve pivoted to a dynamic, mobile QB who could open up lanes for Sony Michel, properly utilize White, and also find Harry downfield assuming his shoulder woes are behind him. Unless Newton’s fully broken down, which I don’t think he is, it is difficult to imagine Newton finishing outside the Top 10 at QB with Belichick and Josh McDaniels helming the offense. His low-end receiving options limit the upside just a bit, but I expect Newton to be a value come draft day.