NFL
HomeScoresDraftRumorsFantasyB/R 99: Top QBs of All Time
Featured Video
EPIC NFL Thanksgiving Slate 🙌
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28:  Defensive lineman Nick Fairley of Auburn runs a drill during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Defensive lineman Nick Fairley of Auburn runs a drill during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)Joe Robbins/Getty Images

2011 NFL Draft: Nick Fairley and 10 Players Rising After This Week's Pro Days

Wes ODonnellMar 10, 2011

Cam Newton's big day, also known as Auburn's pro day, has come and gone.

The Arkansas Razorbacks also held their workouts on Tuesday and we got a look at Ryan Mallett.

Minnesota and Oklahoma also worked out on Tuesday.

Wednesday we saw California, Alabama, Wisconsin and Mississippi State take to the field.

We know all the big names from these schools, but they were not the only ones to work out.

Here is a look at 10 players who have helped themselves already this week.

Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

1 of 10
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28:  Defensive lineman Nick Fairley of Auburn looks on during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Defensive lineman Nick Fairley of Auburn looks on during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

The disruptive defensive tackle from Auburn put on a good showing during his workout.

He looked very athletic, displayed quick feet and he continues to give teams reason to consider him anywhere from No. 1 to No. 8.

He weighed in six pounds heavier than he did at the combine and he still looked as effective. That is a good sign.

His ability to change a game in a single play makes him a really difficult prospect to pass up.

Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

2 of 10
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27:  Cam Newton looks on during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Cam Newton looks on during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Well, it certainly was not perfect, but the most important thing for Cam Newton was the improvement he has made.

The Heisman Trophy winner took every snap from under center, he looked better in his drops and his timing was obviously much better.

Eleven of his 60 passes hit the turf with five of them courtesy of drops from the receivers (some balls were still high).

He did not blow up the workout or anything, but moving forward, it is important to see him improve as a passer.

Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas

3 of 10
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04:  Quarterback Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks looks to pass against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana.  (Photo by Matthew
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks looks to pass against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Matthew

Mallett's athleticism is obviously up to par with the other quarterbacks in his class, but his arm is something to watch.

He displayed good accuracy, timing and velocity on the football and made life easy for his receivers.

Once again, we got to see how gifted he is as a passer but teams still need to figure out the other things before making a decision on him.

There is no denying his tremendous arm, though.

TOP NEWS

Colts Jaguars Football
Rams Seahawks Football

Zach Clayton, DT, Auburn

4 of 10
AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 23:  Zach Clayton #98 of the Auburn Tigers pressures quarterback Jarrett Lee #12 of the LSU Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama.  (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 23: Zach Clayton #98 of the Auburn Tigers pressures quarterback Jarrett Lee #12 of the LSU Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Auburn defensive tackle looked tremendous at his pro-day workout and surprised almost everyone.

He weighed in at 299 pounds, rocked up the bench press 27 times and then blazed a 4.68 in the 40-yard dash.

Clayton's numbers will force teams to go back and look at what he can do on the field; he might have given himself a shot to be drafted in late April.

Collin Mooney, FB, Army

5 of 10
PHILADELPHIA - DECEMBER 12: Army Cadets march onto the field before the game between the Army Black Nights and Navy Midshipmen on December 12, 2009 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA - DECEMBER 12: Army Cadets march onto the field before the game between the Army Black Nights and Navy Midshipmen on December 12, 2009 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

The former West Point fullback worked out in Norman, Oklahoma at the Sooners pro day and put himself back on the map.

He ran a solid 40-yard dash at 4.6, put up the bench 28 times and showed teams that he could truthfully still move.

Mooney has been serving his country and been out of football for two years.

His athleticism is extremely apparent. He may have vaulted himself into contention to play football again.

DeMarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma

6 of 10
GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01:  DeMarco Murray #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs the football to score a touchdown in the first quarter against the Connecticut Huskies during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in G
GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: DeMarco Murray #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs the football to score a touchdown in the first quarter against the Connecticut Huskies during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in G

The Sooners running back rested on his combine numbers, but did give teams the opportunity to see him work in position drills.

The real question surrounding Murray will be his ability to handle life in-between the tackles as a running back, but there is no denying his ability out of the backfield.

He ran 4.37 in Indianapolis. To be honest, he's talented enough to become a slot receiver if things do not work out as a running back.

Murray has the ability to succeed but just needs the right system and shot.

Cameron Jordan, DE, California

7 of 10
MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 29:Defensive lineman Cameron Jordan #97 of the North Team during  the Under Armour Senior Bowl on January 29, 2011 at Ladd-Pebbles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images for Under Armour)
MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 29:Defensive lineman Cameron Jordan #97 of the North Team during the Under Armour Senior Bowl on January 29, 2011 at Ladd-Pebbles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images for Under Armour)

The California defensive end continues to give teams a reason to love him.

He looked explosive, athletic and he has everything you look for in a defensive end prospect.

His versatility and power will be really difficult to pass up.

This is just another notch on his belt as we draw closer to the NFL Draft.

Chris Conte, S, California

8 of 10
CORVALLIS, OR - NOVEMBER 15:  James Rodgers #8 of the Oregon State Beavers runs with the ball against Chris Conte #17 of the California Golden Bears at Reser Stadium on November 15, 2008 in Corvalis, Oregon.  (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
CORVALLIS, OR - NOVEMBER 15: James Rodgers #8 of the Oregon State Beavers runs with the ball against Chris Conte #17 of the California Golden Bears at Reser Stadium on November 15, 2008 in Corvalis, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

California's safety looked really good on the field. In a weak safety class, he is now one of the top prospects.

He measured in at 6'2", 200 pounds and ran a 4.5 40.

Conte looked good in position drills, showed great feet and he has displayed the range necessary to make plays.

The safety class really is weak, and Conte is now making a strong case to be one of first players taken.

Ray Dominguez, OT/OG, Arkansas

9 of 10
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04:  Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks looks to pass in the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana.  (Photo by M
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks looks to pass in the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by M

The Arkansas offensive lineman continues to make the most of his draft season and he has elevated himself up draft boards.

He improved on his combine numbers, looked great in position drills and he may have left his teammate, DeMarcus Love, behind him on draft boards.

He's likely facing a position change to guard in the NFL, but he's showing that he is more than capable of doing so.

Cameron Kenney, WR, Oklahoma

10 of 10
GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01:  Cameron Kenney #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners catches a 59-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter against the Connecticut Huskies during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in Gl
GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Cameron Kenney #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners catches a 59-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter against the Connecticut Huskies during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in Gl

It was a very underwhelming year for the Oklahoma Sooners pro day, but Cameron Kenney made the most of his opportunity anyway.

Teammate Ryan Broyles may have caught more passes in a single game than Kenney did all season (he didn't, but it was close), but Kenney put up some solid numbers to give him a shot in the league.

He ran a 4.52 in the 40, jumped about 35 inches in the vertical jump and broad jumped 10'9".

It's not a huge boost, but he may be a draftable prospect now.

EPIC NFL Thanksgiving Slate 🙌

TOP NEWS

Colts Jaguars Football
Rams Seahawks Football
Mississippi Football
Packers Bears Football

TRENDING ON B/R