Cam Newton odds to Arizona Cardinals: Ex-NFL MVP could be ideal backup to Kyler Murray

Which former NFL No. 1 overall pick signs first: Cam Newton or Jadeveon Clowney? While multiple teams are pursuing Clowney, that doesn't appear to be the case regarding Newton, the 2015 NFL MVP who was released by the Carolina Panthers in March. Teams surely want to have their doctors examine Newton before making any sort of contract offer, and that can't happen with team facilities closed due to the coronavirus.

Newton has posted videos of himself working out with other NFL players, including with Browns receiver Odell Beckham Jr. No, Cleveland won't be signing Newton as the team already gave Case Keenum a three-year, $18 million contract to back up Baker Mayfield.

One place that would seem to be a perfect fit – Newton obviously wants to start but that ship has probably sailed for 2020 unless he goes to New England – would be with the Arizona Cardinals as a backup/mentor to another former No. 1 overall pick who won a Heisman Trophy: Kyler Murray.

Murray is a lot like Newton in terms of his mobility, and the fact Murray does run a lot (93 carries for 544 yards and four TDs last year) would potentially leave more him more subject to injury. He did battle hamstring issues late last year. Murray's current backup is Brett Hundley, and there's no universe where Newton isn't an improvement on him.

It's not out of the question that Hundley could be facing some sort of league discipline as he was sued earlier this year by his ex-wife for battery, domestic violence, emotional distress and negligence. Hundley has denied all the allegations. CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin projected Arizona as Newton's landing spot on a one-year deal worth $3 million. 

Arizona currently has about $9 million in salary cap space according to overthecap.com, and it won't cost near that much to sign Newton. The Cardinals could be a sleeper in the NFC this season with the offseason trade for All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins and a full season of tailback Kenyan Drake. He was a monster for the Cards after coming over in a trade midseason last year from Miami.

William Hill sportsbook gives Arizona an Over-Under of 7 wins, with the Over a -130 favorite. The SportsLine Projection Model projects the Cards right on 7 wins as well. They open at defending NFC champion San Francisco on Sept. 13 with the Niners as 7.5-point favorites on the NFL odds.

Via SportsLine oddsmakers: Which team will Cam Newton be on Week 1 of the 2020 season?

• Patriots +300
• Redskins +500
• Steelers +600
• Broncos +700
• Cardinals +900
• Ravens +1100
• Jaguars +1200
• Rams +1400
• Bills +1600
• Seahawks +1800

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