NFL Combine Best and Worst

Filed in archive NFL Draft on February 25, 2008

The nfl combine got underway this weekend, and a bevy of NFL hopefuls were interrogated, displayed, poked and prodded before getting on to the business at hand: the workouts. Here are some of the best and worst performances so far.

Quarterbacks

The particular numbers aren't overly important for a QB, just so long as they don't run a 6.2 40-yard dash. With that said, Louisville's Brian Brohm ran a 4.83 40-yard dash, followed by a 30 inch vertical jump and the best broad jump of the group, at 9'7". But the most impressive numbers belonged to San Diego's Josh Johnson, who had the fastest 40 at 4.55, and the best vertical jump, at 33.5 inches.

Offensive Lineman

Michigan's Jake Long was outstanding, as he ran a respectable 5.17 in the 40-yard dash, and beat every other offensive lineman by bench pressing 225 pounds 37 times. He also posted the third fastest 3-cone drill, which is an agility drill. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh's Jeff Otah ran one of the worst 40 times at 5.56, had one of the worst vertical jumps at 22.5 inches, and his 27 bench press reps were middle of the pack.

Tight Ends

The winner of this group was, hands down, Purdue's Dustin Keller. Among tight ends, he ran the fastest 40 (4.55), the highest vertical jump (38"), the longest broad jump (10'11"), the fastest 20-yard shuttle (4.14), the second fastest 3-cone drill (6.88), and the second most reps of 225 lbs. (26). On the other hand, Texas' Jermichael Finley ran a slow 40-yard dash of 4.82, and the only other drill he participated in was the broad jump, where his 9'8" was pedestrian.

Wide Receivers

Virginia Tech's Eddie Royal impressed with a 4.39 40-yard dash, 24 reps on the bench press (tops among WR) and a 36" vertical jump. Not doing as well was Oklahoma State's Adarius Bowman, who ran just 4.69 in the 40 and put up only 14 reps of 225 lbs.

Running Backs

Darren McFadden opened eyes by running 4.27 and 4.33 times in the 40-yard dash, but East Carolina's Chris Johnson topped him with a 4.24 in the 40 (fastest among RB). He also put up the third-best broad jump at 10'10", and a 35" vertical. McFadden's teammate, Felix Jones, did well with a 4.47 time in the 40, but he managed to put up a measly 8 reps in the bench press - a full 22 reps behind Auburn's Carl Stewart, who had the most.

(Info: NFL.com)