The most popular event at the NFL Combine is by far the 40-yard dash. When fans talk about the Combine the first question that always comes up is “What was his 40 time?” It almost doesn’t matter whether it is for a running back, linebacker, or defensive lineman, it is the event that everyone pays attention to.
But is the 40-yard dash really that important, especially in today’s world where multiple players are opting out of the NFL Combine completely? Let’s dig in.
Looking at All the Events at the NFL Combine
If you were to ask a random fan about what happens at the NFL Combine, their list would likely consist of interviews, the 40-yard dash, and throwing and catching drills. After that, not everyone knows what else goes on. Yes, these three events/drills are an important part of what goes on, but there is so much more that goes on. Here is a list of everything that goes on.
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- 40-yard dash
- Bench pressing of 225 pounds (102 kg)
- Vertical jump
- Broad jump: Standing long jump
- 20-yard shuttle
- 3 cone drill
- 60-yard shuttle
- Position-specific drills: These drills can be throwing, catching, blocking, reaction time, and other drills that are very specific to an individual position group.
- Interviews – each team is allowed 60 interviews in 15-minute intervals
- Physical and injury evaluations
- Drug screening
- Cybex test: A test to test the strength of joints regarding the range of motion.
- Wonderlic test: A test to check on the cognitive ability of players
Many of these tests and drills are hardly talked about or featured, but for NFL scouts, they are often the most important, and definitely more important than the 40-yard dash. For a defensive lineman, a nice 40 time may look nice, but putting up a good score in the bench press or 3-cone drill can be much more telling and applicable than being able to run fast for 40 yards. Because guess what? If a lineman has to chase anyone for 40 yards, it’s probably too late.
Do Scouts Really Care About the 40-Yard Dash?
In recent years there has been a bit of backlash with the 40 yard dash because some feel that there is a significant difference between sprint speed and game speed. In other words, a player may struggle to have exceptional speed when starting essentially in a track position but have great game speed when trying to outrun a defense or chase down a runner. The flip side is also true. Sometimes, a player may put up a great 40-yard dash time but not have the same kind of speed when the pads are put on.
Additionally, some scouts have began to value game film more than a single run at a NFL Combine. With as much money that is put into scouting and development, scouts are now tracking players in actual games more than anything that can looked at with the NFL Combine.
For example, a running back can be looked at and dissected to the point of knowing how fast they accelerate from 5-15 yards on both the left and right side field both on grass and artificial turn. They know how much force they exert when taking a hit, and how that momentum is transferred to speed while running with the ball. In other words, a simple 40-yard sprint down the field in just shorts and a t-shirt means very little to NFL scouts anymore.
So why do they still do it?
First, the NFL Combine is a great spot to see how players train in the off-season. Most of the players competing haven’t played a game in more than three months and have been training on their own. If a player has trained hard and can show a huge improvement in speed from what is shown on the film, it could be a great way to show improvement and work ethic.
But perhaps the most important reason that the 40-yard dash is still talked about and featured as much as it is is for the entertainment side of it. Sometimes as fans and media we lost focus on why we watch and play sports anyway: entertainment and fun. People love the 40-yard dash, so the NFL will continue to promote it and make it seem like a huge deal, even if behind closed doors, it makes very little difference to the scouts.
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