With the NFL Scouting Combine in full swing, now is the time for NFL prospects to impress scouts and drastically impact their status in the draft. The combine offers a wide variety of drills that are suitable for each position and an opportunity to put up jaw dropping numbers. A poor performance can be the difference between getting drafted and not making the pros, but it is the top performances that everyone remembers.
Here are some of the most impressive combine performances from the past decade.
Chris Johnson, East Carolina, 2008
If you were to look up “explosive” in the dictionary, Chris Johnson’s name would appear. When you think of the 40-yard dash, you think of CJ2K. His name has become synonymous with the drill. The 40-yard dash is the most important drill for the running back position and Johnson absolutely crushed it. He currently holds the “modern” combine record of 4.24 seconds in the 40-yard dash, a record that has stood for 9 years.
Byron Jones, Connecticut, 2015
We aren’t talking about NFL combine records here; we are talking about world records! In 2015, Jones jumped a ridiculous 12 feet, 3 inches in the broad jump. To put this into perspective, the next player behind him over the past decade jumped 8 inches less. Although standing long jump hasn’t been an Olympic event since 1912, his jump is believed to be a world record. The man can straight up fly, also recording the third best vertical jump at the NFL Combine in the past decade.
Stephen Paea, Oregon State, 2011
There’s just something about watching the big guys toss around 225 pounds on the bench press. A position that is underappreciated by many, linemen are required to get down and dirty play after play while taking a beating. The bench press drill provides an opportunity for these giants to show their strength and power to the scouts. In 2011, Stephen Paea did just that, by recording 49 reps of 225 pounds, 4 more reps than the second highest ever recorded.
Dontari Poe, Memphis, 2012
At 6’4” and 346 pounds, Poe didn’t fool around at the 2012 combine. To no surprise, Poe recorded 44 reps at the bench press, which topped that year’s combine. With that type of weight you think speed would be an issue, but it certainly wasn’t. Poe ran a sub-five-second 40 to reflect his hyper athleticism.
J.J. Watt, Wisconsin, 2011
Surprised to see this name on the list? No matter what level he’s playing at, Watt flat out dominates. In 2011, Watt was the best performer among defensive ends in every drill except the 40-yard dash. He will go down as having one of the best all-around performances in NFL combine history. No explanation is needed for how Watt has performed after the NFL Draft.
Darrius Heyward-Bey, 2009, Maryland
In 2009, Heyward-Bay did not fail to impress the Oakland Raiders, recording a 40-yard dash time of 4.3 seconds. Although the number did not top Chris Johnson’s record, it was still the best among the entire field in 2009. Heyward-Bay caught the attention of many, specifically the Raiders who are known to draft speed. The 4.3-second 40-yard dash translated to a No. 7 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. Heyward-Bey was the first receiver to be selected off the board in that draft.
The NFL Combine is running all weekend and finishing up on Monday, so now is the time to shine. Who will be this year’s standout and will we see new names in the record books?
