Nick Fairley worked out in front of Broncos' brass Tuesday at Auburn's Pro Day. (PHOTO: MAXDENVER.COM)
DENVER – The NFL and NFLPA might be circling around waiting for permission to land with a new collective bargaining agreement, but the Broncos’ brain trust has one destination after another lined up.
Immediately after speaking at the Boy Scouts Sports Breakfast on Thursday morning, John Elway and John Fox sped out of the Pepsi Center and on to Centennial Airport, from where they began a whistle-stop tour of Pro Days and potential high draft picks.
Their first stop was Auburn, which held an extensive Pro Day workout Tuesday afternoon at Jordan-Hare Stadium. They were later scheduled to fly to the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and Texas A&M in College Station, Texas. Both schools hold their Pro Days on Wednesday.
“It’s a pretty busy next couple of days,” Elway said.
All three schools feature players expected to be taken in the first few selections next month: defensive tackle Nick Fairley and quarterback Cam Newton from Auburn, defensive tackle Marcell Dareus from Alabama and outside linebacker Von Miller from Texas A&M.
While not naming any potential draft picks, Elway emphasized that the trips are designed for them to get a better read on players’ personalities.
“It’s not so much the workout, because we saw that at the Combine,” Elway said. “It’s getting to spend the time with them; I think we get to spend a couple of hours with each guy.”
Elway said that he, Fox and general manager Brian Xanders would split some of the Pro Day visits in the coming weeks, but planned to attend the Auburn session together.
“Bottom line: we can’t miss on where we pick,” Elway said.