What Does The NFL Combine Mean For Dynasty?
Chew takes a look at key combine drills for each position and some of the best/worst results from past performers.
The 2025 NFL Combine starts on Thursday, February 27th and ends Monday, March 3rd in Indianapolis, IN. There are a total of 359 players invited to the combine and the full list can be found here. Since the end of the College Football season this is the first real actionable information we get as dynasty managers.
The Combine means different things for different players. For some a good performance can have dynasty managers reaching. For others a poor showing has dynasty managers happy they can wait a few picks later to get “their guy”. So in preparation let’s take a look at some key Combine tests for each position and past results of players that may surprise you.
Before we dig in, if you find this even remotely intriguing please consider subscribing. Stay calm! We’re getting to the cut candidates.
*For a look ahead at the rest of the NFL offseason schedule check out my previous article.
**Not every player in each rookie class performed each test/drill so the best/worst numbers does not include any results from Pro Days and the like.
Quarterbacks
Key Tests/Drills:
40 Yard Dash - supports rushing upside or at least ability to scramble for a few yards. The difference between dual-threat, mobile, and pocket passer. Faster than 5 seconds or else you’re a statue.
Quickest - 2024: Kedon Slovis (4.55 sec), 2023: Anthony Richardson (4.43 sec), Desmond Ridder (4.52 sec), 2021: Justin Fields (4.45 sec), 2020: Cole McDonald (4.58 sec).
Slowest - 2024: Spencer Rattler (4.95 sec), 2023: Tyson Bagent (4.79 sec), 2022: Skylar Thompson (4.91 sec), 2021: Zach Smith (5.23 sec), 2020: Jake Fromm (5.01 sec).
3 Cone Drill - ability to scramble and navigate the pocket. Less than 7 seconds is preferred.
Quickest - 2024: J.J. McCarthy (6.82 sec), 2023: Clayton Tune (6.89 sec), 2022: E.J. Perry (6.85 sec), 2021: Davis Mills (6.95 sec), 2020: Justin Herbert (7.06 sec).
Slowest - 2024: Spencer Rattler (7.21 sec), 2023: Dorian Thompson-Robinson (7.28 sec), 2022: Kaleb Eleby (7.57 sec), 2021: David Moore (7.62 sec), 2020: James Morgan (7.51 sec).
20 Yard Shuttle - similar to the previous drill as lateral quickness is measured here. Quicker than 4.3 seconds is idea.
Quickest - 2024: J.J. McCarthy (4.23 sec), 2023: Stetson Bennett (4.20 sec), 2022: E.J. Perry (4.18 sec), 2021: Ian Book (4.19 sec), 2020: Kevin Davidson (4.37 sec).
Slowest - 2024: Spencer Rattler (4.37 sec), 2023: Max Duggan (4.45 sec), 2022: Brock Purdy (4.45 sec), 2021: David Moore (4.75 sec), 2020: Jacob Eason (4.57 sec).
Drills: Throwing - how is the arm strength, touch, and mechanics? Those questions are answered here.
Running Backs
Key Tests/Drills:
40 Yard Dash - elite straight-line speed indicative of home run play ability. Less than 4.5 seconds is acceptable.
Quickest - 2024: Isaac Guerendo (4.33 sec), 2023: Devon Achane (4.32 sec), 2022: Isiah Pacheco (4.37 sec), 2021: Elijah Mitchell (4.38 sec), 2020: Jonathan Taylor (4.39 sec).
Slowest - 2024: Audric Estimé (4.95 sec), 2023: Tavion Thomas (4.74 sec), 2022: Kyren Williams (4.65 sec), 2021: Sandon McCoy (4.78 sec), 2020: Benny LeMay (4.75 sec).
3 Cone Drill - agility and short-area quickness necessary to be evasive and hit holes in o-line. Less than 7 seconds is preferred.
Quickest - 2024: Tyrone Tracy Jr. (6.81 sec), 2023: Evan Hull (6.90 sec), 2022: None, 2021: Jake Funk (6.71 sec), 2020: Joshua Kelley (6.95 sec).
Slowest - 2024: Kimani Vidal (7.01 sec), 2023: SaRodorick Thompson (7.25 sec), 2022: None, 2021: Gary Brightwell (7.51 sec), 2020: Scottie Phillips (7.40 sec).
20 Yard Shuttle - start-stop ability which, like the prior drill, translates to agility and evasiveness. Quicker than 4.2 seconds is top-tier.
Quickest - 2024: Dylan Laube (4.02 sec), 2023: Evan Hull (4.38 sec), 2022: None, 2021: Michael Carter (3.98 sec), 2020: JaMycal Hasty (4.03 sec).
Slowest - 2024: Re’Mahn Davis (4.51 sec), 2023: SaRodorick Thompson (4.70 sec), 2022: None, 2021: Jamal Jones (4.65 sec), 2020: Scottie Phillips (4.53 sec).
Vertical & Broad Jumps - lower body power to burst through arm tackles and succeed on goal line stands. Vertical over 36 inches and broad over 120 inches is impressive.
Highest Vertical - 2024: Isaac Guerendo (41.5”), 2023: Chase Brown (40”), 2022: Breece Hall (40”), 2021: Chris Evans (40.5”), 2020: A.J. Dillon (41”).
Shortest Vertical - 2024: Bucky Irving (29.5”), 2023: Tavion Thomas (30”), 2022: C.J. Verdell (29.5”), 2021: Bryson Denley (27.5”), 2020: Benny LeMay (28.5”).
Longest Broad - 2024: Jaylen Wright (135”), 2023: Chase Brown (127”), 2022: Jerrion Ealy (128”), 2021: Elijah Mitchell (128”), 2020: A.J. Dillon (131”).
Shortest Broad - 2024: Sevarian Edwards (114”), 2023: Deuce Vaughn (116”), 2022: Isaiah Spiller (114”), 2021: Rakeem Boyd (98”), 2020: Benny LeMay (112”).
Drills: Footwork, Carrying, and Catching - does the back waste any movement in their runs, carry the ball loosely or have stone hands? Those questions are answered here.
Wide Receivers
Key Tests/Drills:
40 Yard Dash - straight line speed that is beneficial on deep routes or to break away after the catch. Quicker than 4.5 seconds is preferred, with 4.4 seconds or quicker the target for burners.
Quickest - 2024: Xavier Worthy (4.21 sec), 2023: Trey Palmer (4.33 sec), 2022: Tyquan Thornton (4.28 sec), 2021: Anthony Schwartz (4.27 sec), 2020: Henry Ruggs III (4.27 sec).
Slowest - 2024: Isaiah Williams (4.63 sec), 2023: Jalen Brooks (4.69 sec), 2022: Slade Bolden (4.66 sec), 2021: DeVontres Dukes (4.81 sec), 2020: Quintez Cephus (4.73 sec).
3 Cone Drill - quick change of direction in and out of routes is measured here. Less than 7 seconds is ideal.
Quickest - 2024: Ricky Pearsall (6.64 sec), 2023: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (6.57 sec), 2022: Calvin Austin (6.65 sec), 2021: Jacob Harris (6.54 sec), 2020: Denzel Mims (6.66 sec).
Slowest - 2024: Jamari Thrash (7.16 sec), 2023: Jalen Brooks (7.15 sec), 2022: Tre Turner (7.45 sec), 2021: Warren Jackson (7.81 sec), 2020: Omar Bayless (7.35 sec).
20 Yard Shuttle - another short area quickness measurement helpful in and out of routes. Quicker than 4.3 seconds is preferred.
Quickest - 2024: Luke McCaffrey (4.02 sec), 2023: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (3.93 sec), 2022: Calvin Austin (4.07 sec), 2021: Jaelon Darden (3.98 sec), 2020: Isaiah Hodgins (4.12 sec).
Slowest - 2024: Lideatrick Griffin (4.35 sec), 2023: Michael Jefferson (4.56 sec), 2022: David Bell (4.57 sec), 2021: Marlon Williams (4.57 sec), 2020: Isaiah Coulter (4.62 sec).
Vertical & Broad Jump - lower body power to win in contested catch situations and burst off the line of scrimmage is measured here. Vertical over 36 inches and broad over 120 inches is impressive.
Highest Vertical - 2024: Jalen Coker (42.5”), 2023: Bryce Ford-Wheaton (41”), 2022: Alec Pierce (40.5”), 2021: Josh Imatorbhebhe (46.5”), 2020: Donovan Peoples-Jones (44.5”).
Shortest Vertical - 2024: Jha’Quan Jackson (32”), 2023: Kayshon Boutte (29”), 2022: Tre Turner (27”), 2021: Tre Walker (28”), 2020: Aaron Parker (26.5”).
Longest Broad - 2024: Adonai Mitchell (136”), 2023: Jalin Hyatt (135”), 2022: Christian Watson (136”), 2021: Kadarius Toney (136”), 2020: Donovan Peoples-Jones (139”).
Shortest Broad - 2024: Jha’Quan Jackson (118”), 2023: Xavier Hutchinson (116”), 2022: Tre Turner (113”), 2021: Jaylen Harris (109”), 2020: Aaron Parker (112”).
Drills: Gauntlet and Route Running - catching passes while maintaining full speed is a must as live speed is measured during the gauntlet drill.
Tight End
Key Tests/Drills:
40 Yard Dash - straight line speed that is beneficial on deep routes or to break away after the catch. Quicker than 4.7 seconds is preferred, which is higher than wide receivers due to size adjusted speed.
Quickest - 2024: Devin Culp (4.47 sec), 2023: None, 2022: Chigoziem Okonkwo (4.52 sec), 2021: Kyle Pitts (4.44 sec), 2020: Albert Okwuegbunam (4.49 sec).
Slowest - 2024: Dallin Holker (4.78 sec), 2023: None, 2022: Jeremiah Hall (4.96 sec), 2021: Scooter Harrington (5.19 sec), 2020: Jared Pinkney (4.96 sec).
3 Cone Drill - quick change of direction in and out of routes is measured here. Less than 7.2 seconds is solid.
Quickest - 2024: Ben Sinnott (6.82 sec), 2023: Zack Kuntz (6.87 sec), 2022: Austin Allen (7.00 sec), 2021: Noah Gray (6.83 sec), 2020: Adam Trautman (6.78 sec).
Slowest - 2024: Brevyn Spann-Ford (7.38 sec), 2023: Brayden Willis (7.30 sec), 2022: Jeremiah Hall (7.34 sec), 2021: JC. Chalk (7.83 sec), 2020: Stephen Sullivan (7.51 sec).
20 Yard Shuttle - another short area quickness measurement helpful in and out of routes. Quicker than 4.3 seconds is excellent.
Quickest - 2024: Theo Johnson (4.19 sec), 2023: Darnell Washington (4.08 sec), 2022: Peyton Hendershot (4.25 sec), 2021: Zach Davidson (4.19 sec), 2020: Dalton Keene (4.19 sec).
Slowest - 2024: Trey Knox (4.54 sec), 2023: Brenton Strange (4.46 sec), 2022: Jeremiah Hall (4.62 sec), 2021: Giles Amos (5.13 sec), 2020: Stephen Sullivan (4.62 sec).
Vertical & Broad Jump - lower body power to win in contested catch situations and burst off the line of scrimmage is measured here. Vertical over 36 inches and broad over 120 inches is impressive.
Highest Vertical - 2024: Ben Sinnott (40”), 2023: Zack Kuntz (40”), 2022: Isaiah Likely (36”), 2021: Zach Davidson (37.5”), 2020: Cole Kmet (37”).
Shortest Vertical - 2024: Brevyn Spann-Ford (31.5”), 2023: Darnell Washington (31”), 2022: Cole Turner (27”), 2021: Josh Pederson (28.5”), 2020: Devin Asiasi (30.5”).
Longest Broad - 2024: Ben Sinnott (126”), 2023: Zack Kuntz (128”), 2022: Daniel Bellinger (125”), 2021: Kyle Pitts (129”), 2020: Dalton Keene (125”).
Shortest Broad - 2024: Brevyn Spann-Ford (116”), 2023: Josh Whyle (115”), 2022: Jeremiah Hall (111”), 2021: Scooter Harrington (105”), 2020: Colby Parkinson (109”).
Bench Press - upper body strength is important when blocking, which tight ends are tasked with doing more so than wide receivers. An ideal floor is 20 reps.
Most Reps - 2024: Tip Reiman (28 reps), 2023: Tucker Kraft (23 reps), 2022: Jelani Woods (24 reps), 2021: Ben Mason (29 reps), 2020: Josiah Deguara (25 reps).
Fewest Reps - 2024: None, 2023: Noah Gindorff (16 reps), 2022: Jake Ferguson (15 reps), 2021: Daniel Crawford (14 reps), 2020: Harrison Bryant (13 reps).
Drills: Gauntlet and Route Running - catching passes while maintaining full speed is a must as live speed is measured during the gauntlet drill.
Tune in Thursday for the start of the NFL Combine to watch your favorite future dynasty rookie draft picks!
So you made it this long and hopefully you enjoyed it (that’s what she said). If you wouldn’t mind sharing this in your group message with your fellow dynasty degenerates I would greatly appreciate it!