According to most published reports, Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert excelled at his pro day on Thursday.
Blaine Gabbert garners praise for pro day performance
In front of what NFL Network’s Mike Mayock said were 100 to 150 scouts and coaches, Gabbert completed 58 of 63 passes. Three of those passes, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, were dropped by receivers.
On Path to the Draft, Mayock said Gabbert drove the ball with accuracy and timing.
"His arm strength is more than enough," Mayock said. "His footwork was cleaner than I expected. … It was a better throwing mechanics workout than what Matt Ryan had. It was just as good as Sam Bradford had.
Bottom line, he’s the first quarterback off the board and I wouldn’t be surprised if Carolina took him No. 1,” Mayock said.
Thomas reports that among those in attendance were head coaches Marvin Lewis (Cincinnati), John Fox (Denver), Leslie Frazier (Minnesota), Jim Harbaugh (San Francisco), Mike Munchak (Tennessee) and Rex Ryan (New York Jets).
One team not in attendance was the Carolina Panthers, holders of the first overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Instead, the Panthers are having Gabbert in for a workout on Saturday. On Wednesday, he’s supposed to throw for the Arizona Cardinals.
On Thursday night, he had a meeting scheduled with the Vikings. Gil Brandt of NFL.com reported that Gabbert met with the Bills on Wednesday night.
The Bills and Vikings meeting with Gabbert may not matter because it’s possible Carolina will take him first overall.
That’s the opinion of NFL Network’s Michael Lombardi, at least.
“The only way I’m going to beat New Orleans or Atlanta is to have a quarterback,” Lombardi said on Path to the Draft. “If I’m the Carolina Panthers, he’s on the card I’m turning in. I need Blaine Gabbert right now.”
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