The NFL Scouting Combine is a place for prospective stars to show off their athleticism and convince franchise decision makers they’re worth a high-value draft pick. It’s also a place where physical attributes can trump someone’s actual impact on the field.
Sometimes a brilliant performance at the Combine is the signal a player is destined for greatness. Chris Johnson’s journey from East Carolina breakout star to 2,000-yard NFL rusher was boosted by a name-making 4.24 second performance in the 40-yard dash. But sometimes these workouts fail to reflect how a budding rookie will adapt to the big leagues. Ripping off a blazing sprint or 40-plus inch vertical leap isn’t a harbinger of future success.
