On Tuesday we noted that Auburn’s pro day featuring QB Cam Newton and DT Nick Fairley was expected to be a popular event with over 100 media and 150 NFL officials expected to attend. Those NFL folks also included decision makers for those picking at the top of the 2011 NFL draft.
Cam Newton, Nick Fairley Pro Day Goes Well With Top Of 2011 NFL Draft In Attendance
Specifically, here are just a few names who attended the pro day: Carolina coach Ron Rivera, Denver coach John Fox and executive vice president John Elway, Buffalo general manager Buddy Nix, Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis, Arizona’s Ken Whisenhunt and Cleveland coach Pat Shurmur and general manager Tom Heckert.
That’s the head coach or GM of the top six picks in the NFL draft. It looks like a good bet that at least one of those guys will go in the top six (SB Nation’s latest 2011 NFL mock draft has both going in the top eight picks).
Darin Gantt of the Charlotte Observer reports that Newton had a “solid” throwing day compared to so-so NFL Combine. He completed 54-of-65 passes and looked strong throwing the ball. Unlike his media workout, he didn’t “wow” anyone. Instead, he had a solid, but not great pro day.
On Fairley, Gantt writes: “DT Nick Fairley was working out on the other end of the field as Newton prepared, and had a good day of his own. Probably not enough to get the Panthers interested at 1, but plenty of people were looking.” In general, it seems Fairley had better reviews. ESPN’s Todd McShay raved about him following the workout.
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