Combine Numbers & NFL Draft Status

By Joe Pietaro
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Updated: May 8, 2014

When the four-day NFL Combine was completed back in February, there were some questions answered but many still remain as we embark on the NFL Draft. Not every player participates and chooses to go through the drills at their respective college’s pro day.

So when each of the 32 teams huddle in their war rooms, there are instances where a certain player’s stock may rise or fall depending on what took place either in Indianapolis or throughout the country when the pads were off.

Here are some players to keep an eye on that stood atop the Combine board:

*Dri Archer – RB, Kent State (4.26 in the 40-yard dash)

*Russell Bodine – C, North Carolina (42 reps on the 225-pound bench press)

*Ryan Shazier – OLB, Ohio State (42.0 inches on the vertical jump

*Lache Seastrunk – RB, Baylor (11’2” in the broad jump)

*Daniel Sorensen – FS, BYU (6.47 seconds in the three-come drill)

*Brandin Cooks – WR, Oregon State (3.81 seconds in the 20-yard shuttle)

*Brandin Cooks – WR, Oregon State (10.72 seconds in the 60-yard shuttle)

Here is a detailed breakdown of the drills:

1 – 40-Yard Dash – The scouts are looking for speed and explosiveness here and the athletes are times on not only the 40-yard distance, but also at 10 and 20 yards.

2 – Bench Press – the bar is pre-loaded with 225 pounds and all positions (from offensive lineman to kickers, if there are any present invited) rep out for a test of not only strength, but more importantly endurance.

3 – Vertical Jump – A flat-footed jump that also includes the reaching of a flag to measure lower body explosiveness and power.

4 – Broad Jump – Explosion and balance are looked for here as the athlete needs to worry about distance and staying on his feet at the end.

5 – Three-Cone Drill – Here is where the scouts see the ability to maintain a high rate of speed while changing direction in an L-shaped layout.

6 – Shuttle Run – Also known as the 5-10-5 for the yardage involved, the athlete begins in a three-point stance and then goes right-left-right in the aforementioned distances.