Obsessed with Rankings: 10 Best NFL Scouting Combine Performances
By Kim Myers
10. Matt Jones, WR (2005)
Matt Jones entered the 2005 NFL Combine as a quarterback out of Arkansas. He was 6’6”, 242 and scored ridiculous marks on all the tests that he was given the nickname “The Freak”. He ran a 4.37 40 and posted a 39 ½ vertical jump as well as jumping over 10 feet in the broad jump. His scores landed him as a first-round draft pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars as a wide receiver.
9. Stephen Paea, DT (2011)
Stephen Paea recorded 49 reps on the 225-pound bench press, the highest ever since 1999. He was taken as the 53-pick in the 2011 draft by the Chicago Bears and is still with the team. He also turned in a 40 time under 5 seconds, always good for a 300+ pound tackle.
8. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB (2008)
Some have DRC higher on the list than Chris Johnson, who edged him out slightly on the 40-yard dash time. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie ran a 4.29 40 but paired that with 17 reps of the bench press and a 38 ½ vertical jump. That performance in the Combine got him the 16-th overall pick in the 2008 draft by the Arizona Cardinals.
7. Mike Mamula, DE (1995)
Mike Mamula is most known for his NFL Combine performance from 1995. That should give you a little insight as to how his professional career went. At 6’4 ½”, 248 he ran a 4.58 40 and posted a 38 ½ vertical jump. He also scored 49 out of 50 on the Wonderlic test. Clearly this dude studied hard for the Combine and not so much on, you know, playing football.
6. Dontari Poe, NT (2012)
Dontari Poe had a beast of a Combine in 2012. ESPN’s draft guru Todd McShay called it an “epic workout performance” with his less than 5 second 40-yard dash at 6’3 ½” and 346 pounds. Anytime a guy that big can run a 40 under 5 seconds, it’s going to get noticed. He also did 44 reps on the bench press and posted a 29 ½ vertical jump and 8’9” broad jump. That landed him a spot as the 11th overall pick in the 2012 draft to the Kansas City Chiefs where he has now become the anchor at NT for their stellar defense.