At 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Cam Newton finally took the field for passing drills at Auburn’s Pro Day.
The results were mixed.
Newton connected on 50-of-60 passes, which is a substandard “completion percentage” for an elite quarterback prospect at an on-campus workout. For comparison, Matt Ryan was 48-of-52 at Boston College’s Pro Day in 2008, and Sam Bradford went 49-for-50 last March.
Watching the entire workout, PFT counted three blatant drops. Two or three more of Newton’s incompletions hit his receiver in the hands, but would’ve been difficult to secure.
There were four bad overthrows on which Newton either simply threw the football way too far downfield for his target to have a chance, or his pass sailed much too high.
It’s worth noting that immediately after Newton’s 60 throws, Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt personally put the 2010 Heisman Trophy winner through more under-center drills and was spotted shaking Newton’s hand.
By no measure was this Pro Day outstanding. CBS Sports draft analyst Rob Rang gave Newton a “B,” conceding that he “would’ve given Newton a ‘D’” for his Combine workout. SI.com draft analyst Tony Pauline rated Newton’s workout “solid, not spectacular.”
Still, the general consensus is that Newton has made major strides since the Combine. NFL Network’s Mike Mayock had the most glowing review of Tuesday’s Pro Day.
“This kid can drive the football,” said Mayock. “He can drive it on the deep, outbreaking comeback, he can drive it on the inbreaking Bang-8 or dig route.
“He can make every throw.”
