The NFL Combine is one of the biggest auditions a prospect must go through before getting drafted. The Combine tests prospects' athleticism through a number of events that meaure speed, strength, agility, and endurance. Below are lists of the top performers in each event.

 

40-Yard Dash

Player Pos. College Result
J.J. Nelson WR UAB 4.28
Trae Waynes CB Michigan State 4.31
Phillip Dorsett WR Miami 4.33
Chris Conley WR Georgia 4.35
Kevin White WR West Virginia 4.35

 Athletes are timed at 10, 20 and 40-yard intervals. What the scouts are looking for is an explosion from a static start. Full results 

CJ2K's record time of 4.24 stands for another season but J.J. Nelson made a run for it, clocking in only 0.04 seconds behind Johnson's top time. The big winner in this event was Kevin White, who continues his assault on Amari Cooper's standing as top wide receiver in the draft.

 

Bench Press

Player Pos. College Result
Ereck Flowers OT Miami 37
Mitch Morse OG Missouri 36
Sean Hickey OT Syracuse 35
Vic Beasley OLB Clemson 35
Deon Simon NT Northwestern State 35

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. Full results 

There were no challengers for the top all-time results this year but Vic Beasley's 25 reps helped him not only solidify a first-round grade, but move into Top 10 territory with an outstanding combine weekend.

 

Vertical Jump

Player Pos. College Result
Chris Conley WR Georgia 45.0
Byron Jones CB Connecticut 44.5
Davis Tull OLB Tenn-Chattanooga 42.5
Ameer Abdullah RB Nebraska 42.5
Jaelen Strong WR Arizona State 42.0

The athlete stands flat-footed and they measure his reach. Full results

Chris Conley tied the all-time record with a 45.0 leap, while Jaelen Strong helped his case as a first-rounder in a strong draft for receivers by producing in an important drill for receivers. Ameer Abdullah, who projects as a third-down/change of pace back, helped his cause with a good number again.

 

Broad Jump

Player Pos. College Result
Byron Jones CB Connecticut 12'3"
Chris Conley WR Georgia 11'7"
Bud Dupress OLB Kentucky 11'6"
Davis Tull OLB Tenn-Chattanooga 11'0"
Rannell Hall WR Central Florida 11'0''

The athlete starts out with a balanced stance then explodes out as far as he can. Full results

Byron Jones, who finished second in the vertical jump, smashed the standing record in the broad jump and got the attention of Olympians in the process. Conley's big weekend continued, where the Georgia wide out tied the previous record. 

 

Three-Cone Drill

Player Pos. College Result
Justin Coleman CB Tennessee 6.61
Justin Hardy WR East Carolina 6.63
Mario Alford WR West Virginia 6.64
Kenny Bell WR Nebraska 6.66
Ben Heeney ILB Kansas 6.68

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. Full results

A number of receivers that fans will be hearing about for months to come - and then hopefully years after that - showed up amongst the top performers in the three-cone drill. Ben Heeney's time as an inside linebacker was impressive.

 

20-Yard Shuttle

Player Pos. College Result
Bobby McCain CB Memphis 3.82
Kevin Johnson CB Wake Forest 3.89
Byron Jones CB Connecticut 3.94
Ameer Abdullah RB Nebraska 3.95
Tye Smith CB Towson 3.96

The short shuttle is known as the 5-10-5. The athlete starts in the three-point stance, explodse out five yards to his right, touches the line, goes back 10 yards to his left, left hand touches the line, pivot, and he turns five more yards and finishes. Full results 

Byron Jones showed up on another Top 5 list as he made his case as top workout warrior for the 2015 Draft. Abdullah further helped his draft position with another good time here as well.

 

60-Yard Shuttle

Player Pos. College Result
Byron Jones CB Connecticut 10.98
Melvin Gordon RB Wisconsin 11.00
Ben Heeney ILB Kansas 11.06
Jay Ajayi RB Boise State 11.10
Garry Peters CB Clemson 11.10

Similar procedure to the 20-yard shuttle only three times as long. Full results 

Melvin Gordon's 40-yard dash time was a little disappointing but the Wisconsin running back, who is vying to be the first RB off the board and hopefully in the first round, made up for that a little with the top 60-yard shuttle time. 

Event descriptions from NFL.com