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 1^st 10 yards and one set for the 1^st 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!