The NFL Scouting Combine will take place this week from Tuesday, February 17 to Monday, February 23 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The week serves as a job interview for some of the best college football prospects in the country.
How to Watch:Beginning February 18, NFL Network, NFL.com, NFL Now and NFL Mobile will broadcast live from Lucas Oil Stadium, providing an up-close look of the combine.
Arrival Dates by Position
Tuesday, February 17 – place kickers, special teams, offensive line, tight ends
Wednesday, February 18 – quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs
Thursday, February 19 – defensive line, linebackers
Friday, February 20 – defensive backs
While at the combine, participants will partake in medical examination, media and team interviews, psychological testing, bench press and on-the-field workouts.
Current Chiefs at the NFL combine throughout the years.
QB, Alex Smith at the 2005 NFL Combine
P, Dustin Colquitt at the 2005 NFL Combine
QB, Alex Smith at the 2005 NFL Combine
WR, Dwayne Bowe at the 2007 NFL Combine.
WR, Dwayne Bowe at the 2007 NFL Combine.
RB, Jamaal Charles at the 2008 NFL Combine
S, Eric Berry at the 2010 NFL Combine
S, Eric Berry at the 2010 NFL Combine
S, Eric Berry at the 2010 NFL Combine
LB, Justin Houston at the 2011 NFL Combine
LB, Justin Houston at the 2011 NFL Combine
LB, Justin Houston at the 2011 NFL Combine
FB, Anthony Sherman at the 2011 NFL Combine.
FB, Anthony Sherman at the 2011 NFL Combine.
DT, Dontari Poe at the 2012 NFL Combine
DT, Dontari Poe at the 2012 NFL Combine
RB, Knile Davis at the 2013 NFL Combine.
RB, Knile Davis at the 2013 NFL Combine.
RB, Knile Davis at the 2013 NFL Combine.
RB, Knile Davis at the 2013 NFL Combine.
T, Eric Fisher at the 2013 Combine
T, Eric Fisher at the 2013 Combine
TE, Travis Kelce at the 2013 NFL Combine.
RB/WR De'Anthony Thomas at the 2014 NFL Combine.
RB/WR De'Anthony Thomas at the 2014 NFL Combine.
RB/WR De'Anthony Thomas at the 2014 NFL Combine.
RB/WR De'Anthony Thomas at the 2014 NFL Combine.
QB, Aaron Murray at the 2014 NFL Combine.
QB, Aaron Murray at the 2014 NFL Combine.
The Drills (descriptions via NFL.com)
40-yard dash
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, explodes 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.
Preview Links
- Jameis Winston among prospects with most to prove at combine(Zierlein)
- NFL Scouting Combine: Under-the-radar storylines to watch(Huguenin)
- Five names to watch at the scouting combine (NFL AM)
- 2015 NFL Scouting Combine: Six running backs under scrutiny(Huguenin)
- Top five prospects at the scouting combine (NFL AM)
- 2015 NFL Scouting Combine: Wide receivers, tight ends to watch(Huguenin)
- 2015 NFL Scouting Combine: Which prospects will run fastest?(Zierlein)
- 2015 NFL Scouting Combine: Six defensive linemen to watch(Huguenin)
- Photo Essay: Mind-blowing stats for 2015 NFL Scouting Combine
- Position rankings for 2015 NFL Draft(Mayock)
- Mayockisms: A glossary of Mike Mayock terms
