With the combine upon us, we wanted
to kick off the series of combine articles with a break-down of some
of the combine drills and how they factor into the final evaluations
of the incoming rookie players. It is important to remember that the
results of the combine are usually used to delineate a player on a
team's board. Often these results are used as tie-breakers between 2
similarly ranked players. Team's scouting departments have watched
countless hours of film on these players and already have a very good
idea of which players fit into their plans and which don't. They can
estimate a prospect's athleticism just from the game-tape but the
combine is where they finalize their athletic prowess. After all,
these drills are performed in a controlled environment with the test
subjects in t-shirts and shorts and a long way from the chaos of a
full-impact football game.
During the first
2 days in Indianapolis, the players are subjected to countless
interviews, medical examinations, and will also be measured and
weighed. As you can imagine, the official height and weight
measurements here will dispel generous college listings. When
measured, almost every possible dimension will be taken into
consideration including but not limited to: height, chest size, arm
length, body mass index, and hand span. Often you'll hear scouts say
a player has a good "triad". That’s a reference to
their height- weight-40-yard dash scores. There are a lot of
position-specific drills but here we'll focus on the RBs, WRs, and
TEs since they make up the bulk of our fantasy rosters.
Onto the drills:
1. 40-yard dash
Starting from a
3 point stance, the prospect runs 40 yards as fast as he can. This
drill is so important that officials often have 2 sets of eyes
watching it. One set for the 1st 10 yards and one set for
the 1st 20 yards. Obviously, this measures a prospect’s
speed over distance. The 10-yard split is an indicator of violent
burst and the 20-yard split portrays burst stamina. The importance
of speed can't be understated in the game of football therefore
this is by far the biggest difference-maker when grading players.
Not coincidentally, this drill could be a huge money-maker for the
amateurs come draft day.
Optimal RB/WR
time
10 yards-1.65 seconds
20 yards-2.65 seconds
40
yards-4.45 seconds
Optimal TE time
10 yards-1.7 seconds
20 yards-2.8 seconds
40 yards-4.65
seconds
2. Three-cone drill
Separated 5
yards apart, 3 cones are places in an "L" formation.
Starting in a three-point stance next to the first cone, a player
shuffle-steps in a lateral fashion to the second cone, bends down and
touches a line with his right hand, turns and shuffle-steps back to
the first cone, then weaves tightly through the cones in a fashion
similar to a figure-8 on his way back to the starting/finish line.
Even though it’s a timed drill, it serves as an eyeball test
for body-control, quickness, agility, change-of-direction, and
flexibility. For WRs, a successful run translates into good
separation while a good run for RBs suggest positive elusiveness.
Optimal RB/WR
time-7.1 seconds
Optimal TE time-7.3 seconds
3. Bench Press
The prospect
must perform repetitions of 225 pounds until exhaustion, all while
Arizona strength coach John Lott is calling them a "buttercup"
or something of the like. The drill is a great measure of upper-body
strength and work ethic. Though they are not required to do the
drill, even spindly WRs should be able to get up 10 reps as that
strength comes into play when fighting press coverage on game-day.
For RBs, upper-body strength is important for breaking tackles and
delivering stiff-arms. TEs have to block so they are required to do
the drill along with the linemen.
Optimal RB/TE-22
reps
4. Vertical Jump
Standing with
both feet together and flat-footed, the player jumps up and reaches
for as many plastic fingers (set a half-inch apart on a pole) as he
can. The difference between the height of his maximum reach upwards
and the highest finger he reached is considered his vertical leap.
The drill is a good measure of explosiveness and leg strength. WRs
and CBs are particularly scrutinized on this drill since they are
continuously competing for jump-balls on fade routes.
Optimal WR-36
inches
Optimal RB/TE-32 inches
5. Broad Jump
With the
player’s toes on a line, he leaps forward and the measurement
from the line to the distance at the back of his heals is recorded.
This drill is another measure of lower-body strength as well as
lateral burst. The drill measures the ability to get off of the line
of scrimmage and hints at how well a player uncoils into defenders or
the pile.
Optimal WR-10'2"
Optimal RB/TE-9'8"
6. 20-yard Shuttle
The player
begins running 5 yards east and touches a line on the ground, then 10
yards west and touches the ground again, then runs 5 yards back in
the original direction. This is another good indicator of balance as
well as change-of-direction abilities. There is a 60- yard shuttle
as well but that is more of an endurance drill.
Optimal
RB/WR-4.2 seconds
Optimal TE-4.3 seconds
7. The Gauntlet
The WRs and TEs
start off with their backs facing a QB on one sideline. On a signal,
they have to do 3 about-faces and at the same time catch speed passes
sent to them. Then, without breaking rhythm, they take off
cross-field while catching more balls flying at them and finish up with either an extended tip-toe catch at the opposite sideline or a catch-n-turn upfield maneuver. The purpose
of this drill is to run straight, catch the ball with their hands,
and never break stride. It’s more of a subjective test given
fluidity and naturalness is judged more so than the time.
All of these
position-specific drills, tests, measurements, interviews, and
evaluations factor into a team’s final grade of a player.
Enjoy the NFL
combine!