What Are NFL Combine Tests? Explained

Even though the Super Bowl was just a few weeks ago, the NFL is already focusing on the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, where the newest crop of prospects will compete in exercises in an effort to improve their draught position.

The NFL Draft is almost around the corner, so it’s that time of year. Teams scouted for elite players throughout the autumn. The NFL Combine now only accepts the top college football players. In front of scouts and general managers from the NFL, draught candidates undergo a battery of trials and evaluations. So what exactly is the NFL Combine? What you should know is as follows.

In advance of the NFL Draft, the NFL Scouting Combine gives invited-only potential prospects the chance to meet with clubs.

In front of NFL coaches, general managers, and scouts, potential NFL stars are put through physical and mental testing.

History of the NFL Combine

Tex Schramm, the president and GM of the Dallas Cowboys, proposed the idea. Before 1982, teams scheduled individual workouts with players. The first National Invitational Camp was in 1982 in Tampa, Florida.

It was changed to the NFL Combine in 1985. It was located in Arizona and New Orleans before moving to Indianapolis in 1987. The combine was originated by National Football Scouting Inc.

Where and When is the National Football Scouting Combine

Scouting testing was first introduced in 1979, and three years later it was recognised as an official combination where prodigies were assessed by scouts in a controlled environment.

The NFL Combine begins on February 28, 2023. Also, it will continue until March 6, 2023. The event is in Indianapolis, Indiana. The potential draft prospects complete their evaluations at Lucas Oil Stadium. Exclusive coverage for the event is on NFL Network.

How the NFL Combine Works

The National Football League has a week-long event called the combine. It takes place in Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium. To demonstrate their abilities to NFL teams, players participate in combined testing, NFL combine workouts, and other activities. The exercises evaluate a player’s skills in a number of areas and can raise the stock of potential draught choices.

Is the NFL Scouting Combine invite-only? Or, can any player attend the Combine?

There are no open workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine. In other words, you must receive an invitation from the NFL in order to come, participate, and display your skills in front of NFL scouts.

A total of 319 prospects have been invited to participate in this year’s NFL Scouting Combine for the class of 2023.

Who decides which players get invited to the NFL Scouting Combine?

There is a special NFL committee which decides who gets the opportunity to come to the NFL Scouting Combine.

“All 32 NFL teams are invited to provide input on draft-eligible players which is used by the Player Selection Committee to select each year’s participants,” the NFL explains.

“The Directors of both National and BLESTO scouting services, which combined represent 28 NFL teams, are joined by members of various NFL player personnel departments to form the committee.

“The participating NFL executives can rotate on a yearly basis, and remain anonymous.

“All eligible players are reviewed and voted on by the committee members.

“Each athlete receiving the necessary number of votes, by position, is then extended an invitation.

“While it is not a perfect science, the goal of the committee is to invite every player that will be drafted in the ensuing NFL Draft.”

NFL Scouting Combine Drills

Here’s a look at the drills and tests you can expect to see at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

Bench Press

A drill called the bench press is used to gauge a player’s muscular power and endurance. Athletes show off their upper body power by lifting 225 pounds as many times as they can.

Very crucial for offensive and defensive linemen in this drill. Strength and the capacity to control the line of scrimmage are used to evaluate these positions. It combines both power and speed.

For instance, in 2011, Stephen Paea performed 49 repetitions of the bench press. He was selected in the second round by the Chicago Bears.

20-Yard Shuttle

The 20-yard Shuttle tests a player’s agility and lateral mobility. The athletes go 5 yards in one way and 10 yards in the opposite direction while running to assess their capacity for fast direction changes.

Wide receivers, running backs, cornerbacks, and other skill positions are among those that are evaluated using the 20-yard shuttle. To be successful, these positions require fast direction changes.

60-Yard Shuttle

Another exercise that evaluates a player’s lateral speed and agility is the 60-Yard Shuttle. Before returning to the starting point, the participants sprint back and forth between cones spaced 5 yards, 10 yards, and 15 yards apart.

The 20-yard shuttle and this are comparable. The exercise measures lateral movement, agility, and quickness. For talent players like quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, etc., it is crucial.

40-Yard Dash

One of the most well-known workouts at the NFL combine is the 40-Yard Dash. In this sprint, athletes run 40 yards as quickly as they can to gauge their speed. Pure speed is measured by the drill.

All players are evaluated during this practise, but running backs, wide receivers, defensive backs, and quarterbacks are given special attention.

The NFL Combine record was set by John Ross in 2017 with a time of 4.22. Other quick times include those of Dri Archer (4.26 in 2014) and Chris Johnson (4.24 in 2008). Michael Vick, the quarterback, ran the 40-yard sprint in 4.33 seconds. He was selected first overall by the Falcons in 2001.

Kalon Barnes, a cornerback, had a mark of 4.23 seconds in 2022.

Vertical Jump

The vertical jump evaluates a player’s lower body power and explosiveness. The athletes leap as far as they can. The highest point they can reach is where the measurement is taken.

In 2005, Gerald Sensabaugh had a vertical leap of 46 inches. The East Tennessee State defender has won the state long jump competition in the past.

Broad Jump

The Wide Jump gauges a player’s power and lower body explosion. Jumping as high as they can, the players. The distance is measured from where they take off to where their heels will be when they land.

3 Cone Drill

The Three Cone Drill evaluates a player’s quickness of movement and agility. Participants follow a predetermined path around three cones, touching each one before returning to the starting position.

Jordan Thomas, a cornerback, set a new NFL Combine record in 2018 with an amazing performance of 6.28 seconds.

Wonderlic Test

The Wonderlic Test measures one’s capacity for making decisions and solving problems. Players take a test of their cognitive abilities. The players have 12 minutes to respond to as many of the 50 questions on the test as they can. When it comes to test results, quarterbacks are the subjects of the greatest media attention.

Punter Pat McInally achieved the only player-recorded perfect score in 1975. Ryan Fitzpatrick, a quarterback, scored one of the greatest totals ever. The Harvard alumnus received a 48.

The lowest scores are frequently discussed in great detail. According to reports, Frank Gore and Vince Young earned a 6. For Gore, who went on to carry for 16,000 yards in his career, the outcome didn’t really matter.

Cybex Test

This is one of the more obscure and less talked about tests at the combine. The Cybex Test is a medical test that measures joint movement and muscle strength. The players are hooked up to a machine. It evaluates their range of motion and strength in various joints.

Wrap-Up: The NFL Combine

The top college prospects want to draw attention from around the country at the NFL Combine. Players will be evaluated in front of NFL player personnel and put through rigorous physical examinations. Which athletes will best display their skills this year?

Teams from the NFL will have a whole week to scout out the league’s rising talents. Some people’s draught prospects will surge. The period leading up to the NFL Draft is critical.

 

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