From hand size to sprint record: NFL Combine: The last hurdle before the NFL draft

Each year, as part of the preparations for the NFL-Draft the NFL-Combine instead of. From February 27th to March 6th you will find the best College-Players coming in NFL-Draft can be elected in Indianapolis. There they compete in various athletic disciplines, undergo medical examinations and have to prove themselves in (job)Interviews with interested NFL-Teams prove.

Weight and body fat percentage, body and hand size and arm length – before the athletic tests, the players are first measured all over and give the first pressInterviews. The athletic exercises then go from March 2nd to March 5th – depending on the position group.

Physical exercises include the 40-plus sprint Yardslong jump and high jump from a standing position, Shuttle-Runs over 20 and 60 Yardsthe “Three Cone Drill“, which also tests lateral mobility, and the bench press. Players also go through position-specific exercises that their Football– Highlight skills. For example show Quarterbacks different throws over different distances, Wide Receiver go through pass-catching situations and Defensive Liner show their technique with which they overcome opposing players.

Combine as a boost for athletically strong players

For those present Scouts, Manager and coach of NFL-Teams offers the NFL-Combine a good way of evaluating the College-Player to add another puzzle piece. Players who score points in the drills with their technical and physical skills and make a positive impression off the field can polish their player profile and possibly in the NFL–Draft climb up, so get drafted earlier.

Last year the then Pass Rusher the Georgia Bulldogs, Travon Walker, personal bests for his position. He convinced with his physique, his speed, his agility and his Power – so much that him the Jacksonville Jaguars a few months later in first place in the NFL–Draft 2022 voted, although Walker wasn’t actually a candidate for the top spots before that.

Players who are already part of the clear circle of potential first-round picks this year include the Quarterbacks Bryce Young, Will LevisAnthony Richardson und C.J. Stroud or the Pass Rusher Will Anderson Jr. and Tyree Wilson.

Bryce Young refrains from participating in exercises and athletic tests

But not everyone is up to the tests and exercises. Bryce Youngwho could be chosen as the first player, for example, refrains from participating in the position-specific drills and athletic tests.

Players who are among the top candidates have often skipped practice and tests in the past, as well Joe Burrrow (today Cincinnati Bengals), Kyler Murray (today Arizona Cardinals) or Chase Young (now Washington Commanders).

Combine results can also hurt

There are several reasons for this decision: For example, the players do not want to risk injuries that would lead to them being elected later and thus receiving less salary and prestige. For players like Bryce Youngwho also without athletic exercises when Combine is selected far ahead, the added value is marginal and if it does not meet the high expectations in the tests and exercises, it could reduce its reputation.

However, is included Bryce Young the focus anyway on its size and weight. Critics fear that Quarterbackwho was one of the smaller and lighter passers in college, doesn’t have the physique to play in the NFL to pass.