In just over two weeks, the NFL scouting combine will begin, AKA the Underwear Olympics. Over 300 NFL draft prospects will be poked, prodded and measured by the league and put through a variety of on-field drills to give prospective NFL teams a look at these players’ potential.
If you want to watch the drills, and honestly who doesn’t, The NFL Network is where you need to be. Drills will be televised from Thursday, February 27 through Sunday, March 1.
Here’s how the schedule breaks down.
Thursday, February 27
Tight ends, quarterbacks, wide receivers
4:00 pm-11:00 pm ET
Friday, February 28
Place kickers, special teams, offensive line, running back
4:00 pm-11:00 pm ET
Saturday, February 29
Defensive line, linebackers
4:00 pm-11:00 pm ET
Sunday, March 1
Defensive backs
2:00 pm-7:00 pm ET
The NFL has gone all-in on the entertainment factor of the combine and moved the bulk of the drills to prime time. Here’s a breakdown of the drills straight from the NFL combine page.
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.
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