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Get Ready for the NFL Scouting Combine: A Guide to the Most Important Workouts


The NFL Scouting Combine is one of the most important events in the lead-up to the NFL draft.


The combine gives teams a chance to evaluate college prospects in a standardized setting, through a variety of physical and mental tests. If you're a fan of the NFL or college football, the combine is a great opportunity to see the next generation of stars before they take the field on Sundays.


In this guide, we'll break down the most important workouts at the combine and what they mean for each position group. We'll also provide generally acceptable measurements for each position, based on historical data and expert analysis.


40-Yard Dash: Testing Baseline Speed


The 40-yard dash is one of the most well-known workouts at the combine, and it's a test of pure speed. Players run 40 yards in a straight line as fast as possible, with the start being controlled by the runner rather than reacting to a starting gun. While the 40-yard dash is often overrated, it can be a useful measure for certain positions.

Acceptable Measurements by Position:

  • Wide Receivers: 4.5 seconds or faster

  • Running Backs: 4.6 seconds or faster

  • Cornerbacks: 4.4 seconds or faster

  • Safeties: 4.5 seconds or faster

  • Offensive Linemen: N/A (not typically tested)



20-Yard Shuttle: Testing Lateral Agility and Acceleration


The 20-yard shuttle, also known as the 5-10-5 drill, is a test of lateral agility and acceleration. Players start in the middle of three cones placed five yards apart, run five yards to the left, then 10 yards to the right, before finishing back in the middle. This drill is particularly important for players who need to change direction quickly, such as receivers, running backs, defensive backs, and linebackers.


Acceptable Measurements by Position:

  • Wide Receivers: 4.2 seconds or faster

  • Running Backs: 4.3 seconds or faster

  • Cornerbacks: 4.1 seconds or faster

  • Safeties: 4.2 seconds or faster

  • Linebackers: 4.3 seconds or faster


3 Cone Drill: Testing Agility in Tight Spaces


The 3 cone drill is a test of agility in tight spaces, and it's primarily used to evaluate pass rushers. Players race from the first cone in a straight line, touch and come back, then repeat, this time running the full L pattern before coming back to the start. While this drill is less important than the 40-yard dash or 20-yard shuttle, it can be a useful measure for certain positions.


Acceptable Measurements by Position:

  • Wide Receivers: N/A (not typically tested)

  • Running Backs: N/A (not typically tested)

  • Cornerbacks: 6.8 seconds or faster

  • Safeties: 6.9 seconds or faster

  • Linebackers: 7.1 seconds or faster

  • Defensive Linemen: 7.3 seconds or faster


Bench Press: Testing Upper Body Strength and Endurance


The bench press is a test of upper body strength and endurance. Players are given a standardized weight of 225 pounds and see how many reps they can complete. While this drill is most important for offensive and defensive linemen, it can be useful for other positions as well.


Acceptable Measurements by Position:

  • Wide Receivers: 12 reps or more

  • Running Backs: 14 reps or more

  • Cornerbacks: 12 reps or more

  • Safeties: 14 reps or more

  • Linebackers: 16 reps or more

  • Defensive Linemen: 25 reps or more

  • Offensive Linemen: 25 reps or more


Vertical Jump: Testing Explosiveness


The vertical jump is a test of explosiveness, which measures how high a player can jump from a standing position. Players stand flat-footed and jump straight up, reaching as high as possible to touch a flag. This drill is important for players who need to jump to catch or deflect passes, such as receivers, defensive backs, and linebackers.


Acceptable Measurements by Position:

  • Wide Receivers: 36 inches or higher

  • Running Backs: 36 inches or higher

  • Cornerbacks: 36 inches or higher

  • Safeties: 36 inches or higher

  • Linebackers: 36 inches or higher

  • Defensive Linemen: 32 inches or higher

  • Offensive Linemen: 29 inches or higher


Broad Jump: Testing Lower Body Explosiveness


The broad jump is another test of explosiveness, but it measures how far a player can jump from a standing position. Players start behind a line and jump forward as far as possible, landing with both feet. This drill is important for players who need to explode off the line of scrimmage, such as defensive linemen and running backs.


Acceptable Measurements by Position:

  • Wide Receivers: 10 feet or longer

  • Running Backs: 10 feet or longer

  • Cornerbacks: 10 feet or longer

  • Safeties: 10 feet or longer

  • Linebackers: 10 feet or longer

  • Defensive Linemen: 9 feet or longer

  • Offensive Linemen: N/A (not typically tested)


NFL teams also measure and evaluate players based on various physical and medical attributes. Here are some generally accepted measurements by position group:


Quarterbacks:

Height: 6'2" - 6'5"

Weight: 225 - 245 lbs

Hand size: 9.5" - 10.5"


Running Backs:

Height: 5'10" - 6'1"

Weight: 215 - 230 lbs

Hand size: 9" - 10"


Wide Receivers:

Height: 5'11" - 6'3"

Weight: 190 - 215 lbs

Hand size: 8.5" - 10.25"

Wingspan: 70" - 78"

(Shorter wide receivers should have a speed and agility element to their game that makes up for their size disadavantage)


Tight Ends:

Height: 6'3" - 6'6"

Weight: 240 - 260 lbs

Hand size: 9" - 10"

Wingspan: 75" - 80"


Offensive Linemen:

Height: 6'4" - 6'7"

Weight: 300 - 330 lbs

Hand size: 9.5" - 10.5"

Arm length: 33" - 36"


Defensive Linemen:

Height: 6'3" - 6'6"

Weight: 275 - 305 lbs

Hand size: 9.5" - 10.5"

Arm length: 33" - 36"


Linebackers:

Height: 6'1" - 6'4"

Weight: 225 - 250 lbs

Hand size: 9" - 10"

Wingspan: 75" - 80"


Defensive Backs:

Height: 5'10" - 6'2"

Weight: 190 - 210 lbs

Hand size: 8.5" - 9.5"

Wingspan: 70" - 78"


In addition to these physical measurements, NFL teams also conduct medical evaluations and player interviews to get a better understanding of each player's health, character, and football IQ. The medical evaluation includes a physical examination, medical history review, and injury assessment. The player interviews give teams a chance to get to know each player better and assess their personality, work ethic, and leadership qualities. NFL teams also look for players who have a passion for the game, are coachable, and can perform well under pressure.

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