Fans have been asking every year how much the scouting combine really matters in the grand scheme of the NFL draft evaluation process. It’s that time of year again. The combine is around the corner and the questions have resurfaced. So perhaps a good way to help explain how important (or unimportant) the event is, why not use top Chicago Bears draft picks from the past 10 years as a barometer?
The basis behind this is simple. Every Bears draft pick since 2008 who has made the Pro Bowl at least once in their career will be listed with their combine numbers. Any that they did not participate in will receive an N/A sign. After that, it will be time to evaluate with the question of whether or not any of the drills offered true indications of whether each player would be good at the next level.
Note – Any player with an asterisk next to their name has their pro day results included since they did not receive a combine invitation.
Matt Forte (RB, Tulane)
- 40-yard dash: 4.44 seconds
- Vertical jump: 33 inches
- Bench press: 23 reps
- Broad jump: 118 inches
- 3-cone drill: 6.84 seconds
- 20-yard shuttle: 4.23 seconds
Johnny Knox (WR, Abilene Christian)
- 40-yard dash: 4.34 seconds
- Vertical jump: 35 inches
- Bench press: N/A
- Broad jump: 122 inches
- 3-cone drill: 6.81 seconds
- 20-yard shuttle: 4.15 seconds
Henry Melton (DT, Texas)*
- 40-yard dash: 4.58 seconds
- Vertical jump: 36.5 inches
- Bench press: 23 reps
- Broad jump: 121 inches
- 3-cone drill: N/A
- 20-yard shuttle: N/A
Alshon Jeffery (WR, South Carolina)
- 40-yard dash: 4.48 seconds
- Vertical jump: N/A
- Bench press: N/A
- Broad jump: N/A
- 3-cone drill: N/A
- 20-yard shuttle: N/A
Kyle Long (OG, Oregon)
- 40-yard dash: 4.91 seconds
- Vertical jump: 28 inches
- Bench press: N/A
- Broad jump: 107 inches
- 3-cone drill: 7.83 seconds
- 20-yard shuttle: 4.63 seconds
Kyle Fuller (CB, Virginia Tech)
- 40-yard dash: 4.49 seconds
- Vertical jump: 38.5 inches
- Bench press: 12 reps
- Broad jump: 128 inches
- 3-cone drill: 6.90 seconds
- 20-yard shuttle: 4.19 seconds
Jordan Howard (RB, Indiana)
- 40-yard dash: 4.57 seconds
- Vertical jump: 34 inches
- Bench press: 16 reps
- Broad jump: 122 inches
- 3-cone drill: N/A
- 20-yard shuttle: N/A
Cody Whitehair (C, Kansas State)
- 40-yard dash: 5.02 seconds
- Vertical jump: 25.5 inches
- Bench press: 16 reps
- Broad jump: 110 inches
- 3-cone drill: 7.32 seconds
- 20-yard shuttle: 4.58 seconds
Mitch Trubisky (QB, North Carolina)
- 40-yard dash: 4.67 seconds
- Vertical jump: 27.5 inches
- Bench press: N/A
- Broad jump: 116 inches
- 3-cone drill: 6.87 seconds
- 20-yard shuttle: 4.25 seconds
Eddie Jackson (S, Alabama)
- 40-yard dash: N/A
- Vertical jump: N/A
- Bench press: 10 reps
- Broad jump: N/A
- 3-cone drill: N/A
- 20-yard shuttle: N/A
Tarik Cohen (RB, North Carolina A&T)
- 40-yard dash: 4.42 seconds
- Vertical jump: 31.5 inches
- Bench press: 11 reps
- Broad jump: 118 inches
- 3-cone drill: N/A
- 20-yard shuttle: N/A
Seeing the common theme? Every pick with the exception of Jordan Howard on that list had a favorable time in the 40-yard dash for their respective positions. Of course, that drill is far from a dealbreaker when it comes to drafting players. Still, it should be a firm reminder of why it remains the most-watched drill at the combine. Everybody knows the value of speed in the NFL and this is the best way to find out who has it and who doesn’t.
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As for other notes, keep the 20-yard shuttle in mind for the offensive linemen. Both Whitehair and Long posted good scores in that event. It’s also worth noting the three-cone drill for running backs. This is the best way to measure their quickness and ability to change direction in tight spaces. Any below seven seconds is ideal as Forte showcased.
