The 2026 NFL Combine is in the books, and scouts, analysts, and media outlets are already digging through the results. Every year there is a push to uncover hidden gems or flag potential busts based on a handful of athletic tests. But how much do those drills really tell us about a prospect’s future in the NFL?
To explore that question, I examined the top performers in four of the Combine’s most prominent drills over the years and how those historically elite results translated to NFL success.
Let’s take a look at some of the best performances in Combine history and see whether any meaningful patterns emerge.
40 Yard Dash
Best Results in Combine History:
Xavier Worthy (2024) – 4.21 seconds
John Ross (2017) – 4.22
Kalon Barnes (2022) – 4.23
Rondel Menendez (1999) – 4.24
Chris Johnson (2008) – 4.24
The 40-yard dash is easily the most talked about and widely televised event at the NFL Combine. Yet when you look at the fastest times in Combine history, the results are not especially encouraging.
Worthy is still early in his career, though he has already flashed game-breaking ability when healthy. The other two recognizable names on the list, Ross and Johnson, represent opposite ends of the spectrum. Johnson became one of the most electrifying players of the 2010s, while Ross stands as one of the biggest first-round busts of the era.
If anything, the 40-yard dash may be more useful for identifying players whose lack of speed could hurt them at the next level. As a tool for identifying future stars, however, it appears to be somewhat overrated.
Bench Press
Best Results in Combine History:
Justin Ernest (1999) – 51 reps
Stephen Paea (2011) – 49
Mike Kudla (2006) – 45
Leif Larsen (2000) – 45
Mitch Petrus (2010) – 45
Stephen Paea is the only widely recognizable name among the top performers, and even he was more of a solid contributor than a star. The bench press has also lost some of its prominence in the modern NFL Combine, as prospects and evaluators place greater emphasis on speed and agility in today’s pass-heavy game.
That said, several notable interior linemen appear among the top 25 results, including Broderick Bunkley, Dontari Poe, Larry Allen, and Vita Vea. There may be some correlation between strong bench press performances and success along the interior defensive and offensive lines, but the connection appears too limited to carry much predictive value.
Vertical Jump
Best Results in Combine History:
Gerald Sensabaugh (2005) – 46 inches
Cameron Wake (2005) – 45.5
Chris Conley (2015) – 45
Donald Washington (2009) – 45
Chris McKenzie (2005) – 45
Chris Chambers (2001) – 45
Often viewed as the best measurement of raw explosiveness, the vertical jump is a staple at nearly every combine, whether in football or other sports. Interestingly, this list may be the most recognizable group of names so far.
Players such as Gerald Sensabaugh and Chris Conley had solid NFL careers, while Cameron Wake and Chris Chambers were elite performers at their respective positions. However, beyond the top six, the list quickly becomes populated with players who never developed into notable NFL contributors.
Ultimately, the vertical jump does little other than find the odd jump ball specialist, and is more suited for the NBA.
20 Yard Shuttle
Best Results in Combine History:
Brandin Cooks (2014) – 3.81 seconds
Jason Allen (2006) – 3.81
Bobby McCain (2015) – 3.82
B.W. Webb (2013) – 3.84
Justin Simmons (2016) – 3.85
Desmond Trufant (2013) – 3.85
Of the four drills examined here, the 20-yard shuttle produces the most consistently recognizable group of names. Designed to measure balance, explosiveness, and agility, it highlights players capable of changing direction quickly and maintaining control through tight movements.
Cooks, Simmons, and Trufant are all notable pass-defense or passing-game contributors who built reputations around smooth movement skills and quick change of direction. While no single drill reliably identifies future stars, the 20-yard shuttle may be somewhat effective at highlighting players with a specific, translatable trait.
Interestingly, fewer prospects have participated in this drill in recent years, perhaps out of concern that poor results could hurt their draft stock.
What The Combine Tells Us
Overall, the Combine appears to be exactly what it has always been: a brief athletic showcase that offers limited insight into a prospect’s eventual NFL career. The 40-yard dash has long been criticized for failing to replicate true on-field speed, the vertical jump measures explosiveness in isolation, and the bench press has little obvious translation to actual football performance.
The NFL Combine remains a product of a different era. While it can provide general athletic benchmarks, it raises a fair question about whether a more modern testing model could better evaluate the skills that truly translate to success in today’s game.
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