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THE BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO THE NFL SCOUTING COMBINE**
WHO:More than 300 NFL prospects as well as team executives, coaches, scouts and medical staffs.
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WHAT: 2015 NFL Scouting Combine.
WHEN: Feb. 17-23 (workout schedule below).
WHERE: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis.
WHY:Each February, hundreds of the best college football players are invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, where all 32 NFL teams conduct an intense, four-day job interview in advance of the NFL Draft.
WATCH: In addition to Giants.com, NFL Network, NFL.com, NFL Now and NFL Mobile will each provide extensive coverage of the event.
SCHEDULE OF WORKOUTS:
Friday, Feb. 20: Specialists, offensive linemen, tight ends
Saturday, Feb. 21: Quarterbacks, running backs wide receivers
Sunday: Feb. 22: Defensive linemen, linebackers
Monday, Feb. 23: Defensive backs
WHAT GOES ON AT THE COMBINE:
40-yard dash
Check out the top 10 best 40-yard dash times, since 2006
T.9 2006 CB Johnathan Joseph, South Carolina, 4.31
T.9 2008 CB Tyvon Branch, Connecticut, 4.31
T6. 2006 CB Tye Hill, Clemson, 4.30
T6. 2009 WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland, 4.30
T6. 2007 WR Yamon Figurs, Kansas State, 4.30
T4. 2011 DB Demarcus Van Dyke, Miami, 4.28
T4. 2010 WR Jacoby Ford, Clemson, 4.28
- 2013 WR Marquise Goodwin, Texas 4.27
- 2014 RB Dri Archer, Kent State, 4.26
- 2008 RB Chris Johnson, East Carolina, 4.24
The 40-yard dash is the marquee event at the combine. It's kind of like the 100-meters at the Olympics: It's all about speed, explosion and watching skilled athletes run great times. These athletes are timed at 10, 20 and 40-yard intervals. What the scouts are looking for is an explosion from a static start.
Bench press
The bench press is a test of strength -- 225 pounds, as many reps as the athlete can get. What the NFL scouts are also looking for is endurance. Anybody can do a max one time, but what the bench press tells the pro scouts is how often the athlete frequented his college weight room for the last 3-5 years.
Vertical jump
The vertical jump is all about lower-body explosion and power. The athlete stands flat-footed and they measure his reach. It is important to accurately measure the reach, because the differential between the reach and the flag the athlete touches is his vertical jump measurement.
Broad jump
The broad jump is like being in gym class back in junior high school. Basically, it is testing an athlete's lower-body explosion and lower-body strength. The athlete starts out with a stance balanced and then he explodes out as far as he can. It tests explosion and balance, because he has to land without moving.
3-cone drill
The 3 cone drill tests an athlete's ability to change directions at a high speed. Three cones in an L-shape. He starts from the starting line, goes 5 yards to the first cone and back. Then, he turns, runs around the second cone, runs a weave around the third cone, which is the high point of the L, changes directions, comes back around that second cone and finishes.
Shuttle run
The short shuttle is the first of the cone drills. It is known as the 5-10-5. What it tests is the athlete's lateral quickness and explosion in short areas. The athlete starts in the three-point stance, explodse out 5 yards to his right, touches the line, goes back 10 yards to his left, left hand touches the line, pivot, and he turns 5 more yards and finishes.
Check out which NFL players hold best event records since 2006
Broad Jump: LB Jamie Collins, Southern Mississippi, 11'7", Drafted 2013: 2nd RND, 52nd by New England Patriots
40-yard Dash: RB Chris Johnson, East Carolina, 4.24 Seconds, Drafted 2008: 1st RND, 24th by Tennessee Titans
Bench Press: DT Stephen Paea, Oregon State, 49 reps, Drafted 2011: 2nd RND, 53rd by Chicago Bears
20-yard Shuttle: DB Jason Allen, Tennessee, 3.81 Time, Drafted 2006: 1st RND, 16th by Miami Doplphins
3 Cone Drill: WR Jeff Mahhl, Oregon, 6.42 Time, Undrafted: Signed 2013 by Philadelphia Eagles
Vert Jump: DB Donald Washington, Ohio State, 45.0 Height, Drafted 2009: 4th RND, 102nd by Kansas City Cheifs
60-yard Shuttle: WR Brandin Cooks, Oregon State, 10.72 Time, Drafted 2014: 1st RND, 20th by New Orleans Saints
WHICH PROSPECTS TO WATCH
Below is a look at the top prospects by position, according to NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock:**
Check out photos of the QBs in the 2015 NFL Combine
Marcus Mariota, Oregon
Nick Marshall, Auburn
Anthony Boone, Duke
Brandon Bridge, South Alabama
Shane Carden, East Carolina
Cody Fajardo, Nevada
Garrett Grayson, Colorado State
Jameis Winston, Florida State
Jerry Lovelocke, Prairie View A&M
Blake Sims, Alabama
Bryce Petty, Baylor
Brett Hundley, UCLA
Sean Mannion, Oregon State
Bryan Bennett, Southeastern Louisiana
Connor Halliday, Washington State
Quarterbacks**
1. Jameis Winston, Florida State
2. Marcus Mariota, Oregon
3. Bryce Petty, Baylor
4. Brett Hundley, UCLA
5. Garrett Grayson, Colorado State
Running backs
1. Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
2. Todd Gurley, Georgia
3. Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska
4. Duke Johnson, Miami (Fla.)
5. Tevin Coleman, Indiana
Wide receivers
1. Kevin White, West Virginia
2. Amari Cooper, Alabama
3. DeVante Parker, Louisville
4. Dorial Green-Beckham, Missouri
5. Devin Funchess, Michigan
Tight ends
1. Maxx Williams, Minnesota
2. Clive Walford, Miami (Fla.)
3. Nick O'Leary, Florida State
4. Tyler Kroft, Rutgers
5. Ben Koyack, Notre Dame
**
Check out photos of the key offensive linemen at the 2015 NFL Combine
Brandon Scherff, Iowa, 6-5, 320 LBS
Andrus Peat, Stanford, 6-7, 312 LBS
La'el Collins, LSU, 6-5, 308 LBS
T.J. Cummings, Pittsburgh, 6-5, 307 LBS
Ereck Flowers, Miami, 6-5, 324 LBS
Reese Dismukes, Auburn, 6-3, 295LBS
Hroniss Grasu, Oregon, 6-3, 297 LBS
A.J. Cann, South Carolina, 6-3, 311LBS
Laken Tomlinson, Duke, 6-3, 323 LBS
Tre' Jackson, Florida State, 6-4, 323 LBS
Interior offensive linemen**
1. Brandon Scherff, Iowa
2. Cameron Erving, Florida State
3. Laken Tomlinson, Duke
4. A.J. Cann, South Carolina
5. Tre' Jackson, Florida State
Offensive tackle
1. T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh
2. Andrus Peat, Stanford
3. La'el Collins, LSU
4. Ereck Flowers, Miami (Fla.)
5t. Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M
5t. D.J. Humphries, Florida
Interior defensive linemen
1. Leonard Williams, USC
2. Danny Shelton, Washington
3. Malcom Brown, Texas
4. Arik Armstead, Oregon
5t. Jordan Phillips, Oklahoma
5t. Eddie Goldman, Florida State
**
Check out photos of the key defensive linemen at the 2015 NFL Combine
DE Shane Ray, Missouri
DE Owamagbe Odighizuwa, UCLA
DE Randy Gregory, Nebraska
DE Arik Armstead, Oregon
DE Alvin Dupree, Kentucky
DT Leonard Williams, Southern California
DT Danny Shelton, Washington
DT Eddie Goldman Florida State
DT Jordan Phillips, Oklahoma
DT Malcom Brown, Texas
Edge rushers**
1. Dante Fowler, Jr., Florida
2. Randy Gregory, Nebraska
3. Shane Ray, Missouri
4. Vic Beasley, Clemson
5. Bud Dupree, Kentucky
Linebackers
1. Paul Dawson, TCU
2. Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State
3. Denzel Perryman, Miami (Fla.)
4. Eric Kendricks, UCLA
5. Stephone Anthony, Clemson
Cornerbacks
1. Trae Waynes, Michigan State
2. Marcus Peters, Washington
3. Jalen Collins, LSU
4. P.J. Williams, Florida State
5. Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest
Safeties
1. Landon Collins, Alabama
2. Shaq Thompson, Washington
3. Derron Smith, Fresno State
4. Jaquiski Tartt, Samford
5. Ibraheim Campbell, Northwestern
