2020 NFL combine: Do you know the drill?
By Dane Brugler Feb 26, 2020
Some label the combine as nothing more than the “Underwear Olympics,” but as legendary NFL scout C.O. Brocato, who invented the three-cone drill, once told me: “Those who don’t value the combine, don’t know how to properly use it.”
Using the step-by-step guide from the scouting handbook below is a detailed breakdown of each athletic test, including a player to watch in each category and what NFL scouts think about the drills.
40-Yard Dash
This test is used to measure vertical speed and acceleration.
1. Player starts in a 3-point stance.
2. After player hears, “You can go” from the Director, he must hold for a 2-count before running.
3. No rolling starts. No quick starts.
4. Timer will start watch when player’s down-hand separates from the surface.
5. Player will run the 40-yard dash twice.
6. After running the 40-yard dash, players return to player holding area near starting line.
NFL Scout’s take: “These kids train religiously for the event that it’s lost some importance in my mind. It’s almost as much about technique than speed. The results still matter, and I’ll pay attention, especially for receivers and DBs, but functional speed is much more important.”
Who should shine?
Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
Ruggs owns the easy speed that allows him to accelerate with ease down the field. He set the class 7A Alabama state record in the 100-meters (10.58) in high school and that blur speed translates to the football field. Ruggs is expected to run in the 4.3’s, but he has a legitimate chance of reaching the 4.2’s.
Javelin Guidry, CB, Utah
Not many athletes can claim to be the 100-meter state champ in two different states, but that is what Guidry did, starting his prep career in Texas and finishing in California. He has the top-end speed to compete with Ruggs for the fastest 40-yard dash this year.
Who needs a strong time?
Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Jefferson is a seasoned route-runner who attacks defenders at the stem to work his way to open space. But he isn’t a burner who will simply blow by NFL defensive backs with speed. Jefferson doesn’t need to run a 4.45, but in a stacked wide receiver class, a 4.52 time will look a lot better than 4.57.
Antoine Winfield Jr., DS, Minnesota
Winfield is a smart, opportunistic player with the instincts to go big-play hunting. But his below-average size and speed leave very little margin for error in NFL coverage. How he runs in the 40-yard dash will be important.
The average 40-yard dash results for the top-30 NFL players at each position
| 40-Yard Dash |
QB | 4.80 |
RB | 4.54 |
WR | 4.49 |
TE | 4.66 |
OT | 5.12 |
iOL | 5.25 |
EDGE | 4.71 |
iDL | 4.98 |
LB | 4.58 |
CB | 4.45 |
SAF | 4.52 |
10-Yard Split
The first 10 yards of the 40-yard dash, this test is used to measure initial quickness and burst. Steps are the same as the 40-yard dash.
NFL Scout’s Take: “The 40 matters more for some positions, not so much for others. But the 10-yard split is a universal measurement. I don’t care if it’s edge rusher or center, I want guys with twitchy reflexes and reactive athleticism more than just stride speed. This is my favorite drill for pass rushers.”
Who should shine?
Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
One of the most explosive athletes in this year’s class, Queen should post an impressive time in his initial 10-yards. He should be well below the league average at linebacker (1.61) and might get close to another former LSU linebacker, Deion Jones, who had one of the fastest 10-yard splits (1.52) at the position in recent years.
Who needs a strong time?
A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa
One of the most important times this week will be Epenesa’s 10-yard split. A heavy-handed pass rusher, he wins with power and savvy more than pure speed off the edge. Epenesa doesn’t need to test like an elite athlete, but he just can’t test like a below-average athlete. A 10-yard split under 1.65 would be good, but anything under 1.60 would be great for him.
The average 10-yard split results for the top-30 NFL players at each position
| 10-Yard Split |
QB | 1.68 |
RB | 1.59 |
WR | 1.56 |
TE | 1.62 |
OT | 1.79 |
iOL | 1.82 |
EDGE | 1.63 |
iDL | 1.73 |
LB | 1.61 |
CB | 1.57 |
SAF | 1.58 |
Short Shuttle
This test is used to measure agility and lateral movement.
1. While facing the Drill Director, player starts in a 3-point stance with legs straddling the line equally.
2. Player must have hand squarely on the start line and hold the position for 2 seconds.
3. After player hears, “You can go” from Director he may start drill.
4. Player will run to the right line 5 yards away and touch the line with right hand. Player will then sprint 10 yards to the left and touch the line with left hand.
5. After the last line touch, player will sprint through the finish line, which is the starting point of the drill.
6. All players will complete one run to the right and one run to the left. (2 attempts)
7. Down hand is same as running direction. Left hand to the Left – Right hand to the Right.
8. It is the responsibility of the player not to slip and adjust to the surface.
NFL Scout’s Take: “Short-area quickness is essential in our game. Can you brake and balance? Can you recreate your burst in the opposite direction? The long shuttle is more about endurance, but the short shuttle helps expose the rigid, out-of-control dudes.”
Who should shine?
Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
A polished route runner, Jeudy does a masterful job shifting gears with his start-stop quickness. That should translate to a drill that measures the ability to stop on a dime and burst in the other direction.
John Reid, CB, Penn State
An underrated Day 3 prospect, Reid reportedly posted a 3.97 in the short shuttle at Penn State. Anything under four seconds is an elite time, regardless of position.
Who needs a strong time?
Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State
A smooth-moving big man, Cleveland doesn’t have ideal length or power for the position, but his athletic skill is his ticket to NFL success. If he posts a time under 4.50, that would put him in exclusive territory with athletic NFL tackles like Anthony Castonzo (4.40) and Taylor Lewan (4.49).
The average short shuttle results for the top-30 NFL players at each position
| Short Shuttle |
QB | 4.28 |
RB | 4.29 |
WR | 4.22 |
TE | 4.35 |
OT | 4.73 |
iOL | 4.67 |
EDGE | 4.34 |
iDL | 4.57 |
LB | 4.28 |
CB | 4.17 |
SAF | 4.18 |
Vertical Jump
This test is used to measure lower body explosion and leaping ability.
1. Director will measure 18 and/or 24 inches down from the bottom marker on the Vertec and place a piece of tape at each mark.
2. Player will stand with his right side (ankle, hip, shoulder; left side if left-handed) against the Vertec and extend his arm upward as far as possible.
3. Director will extend the Vertec to the top of the players’ extended hand at the top edge of tape and tighten in place. The bottom marker will represent 18 or 24 inches for that player.
4. Player starts jump with both feet planted on the ground.
5. Player may swing arms and dip knees.
6. Players may not shuffle feet before take-off as this will result in a scratch and jump will not count.
7. Player attempts 2 jumps touching the highest slat-marker on the Vertec from the floor.
8. That mark represents the players’ vertical jump.
NFL Scout’s Take: “Higher you can jump, the better. But it’s more of a threshold drill. As long as you jump at a certain level depending on position, you’re fine. The best numbers in this drill don’t tell me much.”
Who should shine?
Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
A track stud growing up and through high school, Simmons will shine in several drills, especially the jumps. He was the state champion in the long jump in his junior and senior years in high school, showing the lower body springs to hit the high notes.
Who needs a strong result?
Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
Offensive linemen don’t jump, so why would his vertical matter? Because it helps measure lower body explosive traits, especially for a bigger body like Becton, who tips the scales at 365 pounds. Anything above 30 would be an elite result for him.
The average vertical jump results for the top-30 NFL players at each position
| Vertical Jump |
QB | 31.5 |
RB | 35 |
WR | 36 |
TE | 34.5 |
OT | 30 |
iOL | 28.5 |
EDGE | 34.5 |
iDL | 31.5 |
LB | 37 |
CB | 38 |
SAF | 36.5 |
Broad Jump
This test is used to measure lower body explosion and balance.
1. Each player receives two attempts at the Standing Broad Jump.
2. Players must start with both feet/toes totally behind start line for valid jump.
3. Players may swing arms and bend knees prior to jumping.
4. Upon landing, player must maintain control, landing balanced with both feet planted.
5. Upon landing player may also fall forward, but not backward.
6. Jumps are measured from the heel of the foot nearest to the initial jump line.
7. Jumps are measured to the nearest whole inch.
8. Results are recorded in feet and inches jumped.
NFL Scout’s Take: “Our data says it’s pointless. Obviously, the better number, the better athlete, but in terms of predicting success on the field, it doesn’t predict much.”
Who should shine?
Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
Reagor could be the answer to most of these categories. He should run in the 4.3’s and post above-average times in the shuttles. But the jumps are where his explosiveness should really shine. As a senior in high school, Reagor set the nation’s best mark in the long jump, winning a state title.
Who needs a strong result?
Geno Stone, DS, Iowa
A smart, assignment sound player, Stone is the type of defender who won’t make many mental mistakes, but he is undersized with only average speed. Strong numbers in the jumps would boost his chances of being drafted in the top-12 picks.
The average broad jump results for the top-30 NFL players at each position
| Broad Jump |
QB | 09’04” |
RB | 09’11” |
WR | 10’01” |
TE | 09’11” |
OT | 08’08” |
iOL | 08’08” |
EDGE | 09’10” |
iDL | 09’01” |
LB | 10’03” |
CB | 10’04” |
SAF | 10’04” |
Three-Cone Drill
This test is used to measure agility, flexibility and change of direction.
1. Cones are set 5 yards apart forming an “L” shape.
2. Player will start the drill in a 3-point stance.
3. With player in start position Drill Director will release player by saying “You can go”.
4. Director will start the stopwatch the instant the player’s hand separates from the surface.
5. The player will sprint forward 5 yards touching the line and returning to the start line touching that line before running around the cones.
6. Player must touch lines with Right Hand.
7. When running around the cones, the player will maintain outside leverage until the last cone. On the last cone, the player will circle around the cone before returning to the finish line.
8. The player will again maintain outside leverage while running around the cones on his way back to the finish line.
9. Player may not touch cone or place hand on surface when making turn around a cone.
NFL Scout’s Take: “Unlike the shuttles, which use hard stops, the three-cone is about continued momentum and ease of movement. If the only drill we did in Indy was the three-cone, I’m not sure too many would complain. We have plenty of research that confirms its legitimacy.”
Who should shine?
Kyle Dugger, LB/S, Lenoir Rhyne
Dugger moves more like a cornerback than a safety or linebacker with his fluid redirection skills. He posted a 6.70 three-cone last spring, which would compare favorably with other top times at the position like Harrison Smith (6.63) and Budda Baker (6.76).
Who needs a strong time?
Isaiah Hodgins, WR, Oregon State
An upright, straight-line athlete, Hodgins needs to introduce better sink in his route-running to get himself open vs. NFL-level athletes. A three-cone time under seven seconds would give evaluators optimism that he can do that.
Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State
With his motor and aggressive hands, Weaver beat up tackles in the Mountain West, setting the conference’s all-time record for sacks. But can he bend? If Weaver posts a sub-seven second three-cone, he will create buzz for himself.
The average three-cone drill results for the top-30 NFL players at each position
| Three-Cone Drill |
QB | 7.03 |
RB | 7.05 |
WR | 6.93 |
TE | 7.12 |
OT | 7.73 |
iOL | 7.67 |
EDGE | 7.15 |
iDL | 7.40 |
LB | 7.10 |
CB | 6.92 |
SAF | 6.95 |
225-pound Bench Press
This test is used to measure upper body strength (bench press strength, not functional strength)
1. Warm up at 185lb bench or pushups if desired
2. Keep both feet on the ground
3. Keep buttocks on the bench.
4. Fully extend arms on every repetition.
5. DO NOT bounce the bar off their chest
6. DO NOT short-arm the repetition.
7. Fouls will result in the deduction of a repetition
8. Director counts the player’s repetitions.
9. Total number of repetitions is recorded, minus deducted repetitions, if any
Target reps depend by position, but general rule of thumb: 25+ is above average, 15-25 is good, 15 or less is below average.
NFL Scout’s Take: “The bench press tells us way more about a kid’s effort in the weight room than his functional strength. I’m surprised we still do it.”
Who should shine?
Simon Stepaniak, OG, Indiana
According to
Bruce Feldman’s Freak List, Stepaniak lifted 225 pounds 41 times on the bench press. Over the last five years, DT Harrison Phillips (42 reps) was the only combine participant to reach 40 reps on the bench press.
Who needs a strong result?
Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State
A long, lean athlete, Dantzler doesn’t have ideal play strength for the NFL. Can he reach 15 reps on the bench?
| Bench Press |
QB | – |
RB | 19 |
WR | 14 |
TE | 22 |
OT | 27 |
iOL | 28 |
EDGE | 25 |
iDL | 29 |
LB | 20 |
CB | 16 |
SAF | 17 |