NEW YORK — Auburn quarterback Cam Newton was the first pick of the 2011 NFL draft, going to the Carolina Panthers.
The Heisman Trophy winner was projected as the player most likely to be called first — and he was, by Commissioner Roger Goodell, who was repeatedly booed by fans at Radio City Music Hall.
Goodell told them "I hear you" as fans, reacting to the current labor dispute, chanted, "We want football."
Newton led Auburn to an undefeated season and it first national championship since 1957. Carolina was 2-14 last year, using four quarterbacks, two of them rookies.
"Man, it's a great feeling to be up here," said Newton, the third straight quarterback taken first overall. "It's a great feeling to be a Carolina Panther."
Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller, who is suing the league, was the second pick, selected by Denver. Miller, a plaintiff in the antitrust lawsuit players filed to block the lockout, strode across the stage with tears in his eyes and hugged Goodell.
"I didn't have a clue about what would happen," Miller said, referring to winding up with the Broncos.
Buffalo selected Alabama nose tackle Marcell Dareus, who gave Goodell an even bigger hug. Of course, Dareus weighs 308 pounds, about 70 more than Miller — and at least 100 more than Goodell.
Cincinnati, perhaps calling the bluff of quarterback Carson Palmer, who is demanding a trade, instead took the top receiver in this crop, A.J. Green of Georgia.
Arizona, also in need of a quarterback, selected the top cornerback available, Patrick Peterson of LSU.
The labor strife caused speculation not many trades would be made Thursday. But just six picks in, Atlanta cut a massive deal with Cleveland and moved up from No. 27 to grab Alabama receiver Julio Jones — the fifth Southeastern Conference player in the first six.
The Browns received the Falcons' first-rounder, second- and fourth-rounders, plus their first pick and fourth-rounder in 2012.
San Francisco chose defensive end Aldon Smith of Missouri to bolster a weak pass rush, then the second quarterback was selected: Washington's Jake Locker to Tennessee.
First Published April 29, 2011, 1:25 a.m.
