NFL Draft 2011: 10 Bold Predictions for Pro Days This Month
The 2011 NFL Scouting Combine is in the books. Up next on your pre-draft schedules is a month-long journey across America for college pro days.
A pro day is a valuable tool for learning more about a player's workout numbers, but also for getting a look at where he came from as a collegian. This is also a great time to talk with college coaches, strength and conditioning guys and teammates to get a good feel for the work ethic and background of a certain prospect.
A pro day can make or break a player's stock over night.
Here is a look at our bold predictions for Pro Days over the next month.
Cam Newton Will Light It Up
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Pro Day: Auburn (March 8th)
Pro Days are manicured and scheduled in a way that the player has the best chance to succeed. Cam Newton's workout will be no different, other than the fact that ESPN3 and the NFL Network will televise it.
Newton will throw to receivers he has been working out with for months, throwing the same routes to the same receivers. In a protected environment like this Newton will shine.
There are no questions about Newton's arm strength or agility, and these two features will be on display in pre-determined workouts.
Expect a ton of buzz surrounding Newton tomorrow afternoon.
Marcell Dareus Establishes Himself as No. 1 Overall Defensive Tackle
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Prediction: Marcell Dareus establishes himself as No. 1 overall defensive tackle.
The Alabama pro day figures to feature three first-rounders in Dareus, Julio Jones and Mark Ingram. Dareus has a chance to separate himself from rival Nick Fairley (Auburn) with a solid day at the Alabama pro day.
Dareus will likely stand on his Combine numbers, as they were outstanding, but in his Pro Day workouts he will have a chance to shine in individual position workouts and one-on-one drills against offensive tackles.
Few players have the rare athleticism of Dareus. In a scripted workout he will cause many NFL executives to drool.
Blaine Gabbert Enters No. 1 Overall Picture
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Pro Day: March 17th
Too many people are predicting Cam Newton as the Panthers target should they draft a quarterback with the first pick overall. We beg to differ.
Blaine Gabbert is an impressive prospect on and off the field. In a one-on-one setting such as this he will leave the Panthers re-considering their draft board.
Think the Panthers will draft a quarterback first overall? Blaine Gabbert, not Cam Newton, is the player most likely to be drafted there.
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First Round, Meet Christian Ponder
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Pro Day: March 16th
Ponder was a preseason favorite to be drafted first overall, in a tight competition with Washington quarterback Jake Locker. Poor play and injuries pushed Ponder down draft boards, but he is making a late rally toward the first round.
Ponder was the most impressive passer in Saturday's throwing session at the NFL Combine and has momentum heading in to the offseason. If all medical evaluations come back clear, Ponder can easily push himself in to the late first-round with another spectacular workout in Tallahassee.
Ryan Mallett's Arm Impresses, Attitude Does Not
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Pro Day: Arkansas (March 8th)
Ryan Mallett's pro day will be a mirror image of his performance at the NFL Scouting Combine in that he will impress everyone with his arm strength, but turn off many with his brash attitude.
Mallett did not run the 40-yard dash at the Combine and will be pressured to run at his Pro Day. Prepare to be underwhelmed, as we have heard Mallett may not break 5.5 seconds in the speed test.
There is no question that Mallett has the most impressive arm of anyone in this 2011 draft class, but he needs to show improved footwork, agility and an ability to throw with touch and not a fast ball on every attempt.
Patrick Peterson Breaks the Sound Barrier
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Pro Day: March 14th
We thought Patrick Peterson was fast when he ran a 4.34 in the 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
On his home turf in Baton Rouge, Peterson will light the field on fire.
A strong run here, as well as continued excellence in position drills will put Peterson's name on the Carolina Panthers short list for the first overall pick.
Suspended Tar Heels Continue Climb Up Draft Boards
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Pro Day: North Carolina (March 31st)
With almost a full month to prepare for their Pro Day after the Combine, Robert Quinn (OLB) and Marvin Austin (DT) are in a great position to continue their offseason push up draft boards.
Quinn is by all accounts a top 10 player, and some would tell you he is even in consideration for the No. 1 overall selection. As a defensive end/outside linebacker prospect, his versatility is very intriguing.
Austin was a preseason No. 1 overall player on many boards, but missing the entire season and failing to improve after an inconsistent 2009 season left a sour taste in many mouths. A good game at the East-West Shrine Game and then a monster Combine performance has Austin back in the top 50 overall.
Brooks Reed Draws a Crowd
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Pro Day: March 12th
If you are an NFL team running a 3-4 defense and you need to add an edge pass rusher, chances are you have Brooks Reed of Arizona pretty high on your list. At least we do.
Arizona's Pro Day will be a who's-who of 3-4 head coaches, defensive coordinators and scouts. Reed may not have the hype surrounding him that Von Miller (Texas A&M) or Robert Quinn (UNC) do, but he is making noise as a late first-round prospect.
Akeem Ayers Redeems Himself in the 40-Yard Dash
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Pro Day: March 29th
Akeem Ayers entered the NFL Scouting Combine as a mid-first round prospect with room to move up if he performed well.
Ayers did very well in position drills but shocked many by running an abysmal 4.80 in the 40-yard dash.
With a full month to prepare for his Pro Day, Ayers has a chance to make up the lost ground by running well. Many were already projecting Ayers as an inside linebacker. His slow 40 time may cement that prediction.
Ayers is a gifted athlete, and faster on film than he is on the track. With four weeks time to concentrate on improving his sprint speed, Ayers will flash the speed we've seen from him in the past.
Gabe Carimi, J.J. Watt Move to the Top of the Charts
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Pro Day: March 9th
The day after America recovers from Cam Newton vs. Ryan Mallett, there is quite the workout taking place in Madison, Wisconsin.
The Badgers have been a long-time favorite of NFL scouts. Despite a coaching change, Wisconsin continues to churn out NFL-ready prospects who know the game of football.
This year's crop is no different.
The top names on the bill are Gabe Carimi (OT) and J.J. Watt (DE). Considered by most as first-round picks, the two will push their way to the top of their respective position groups after jaw-dropping workouts.
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