The NFL Combine will feature a host of top collegiate wide receivers in the country starting on Feb. 17, one year after standout NFL rookies Odell Beckham, Mike Evans and Kelvin Benjamin took center stage in Indianapolis to showcase their talents before scouts and coaches.
NFL Combine 2015: Wide receiver drills
The Gauntlet is back at this year’s combine, and it’s still awesome.
The highlight of the event for the wide receivers is The Gauntlet, a turn-and-catch drill combined with a 53-yard sprint across the field where each player will have to catch seven passes from coaches and five different quarterbacks. All of this is done while they run at full speed in a straight line.
It’s the ultimate test of coordination and vision for these prospects, and it simulates game-like conditions by requiring a high amount of concentration. Running routes with precise timing is key at the next level, and the prospects will have an opportunity to prove they can make the adjustment.
Receivers can also improve their draft stock in the combine’s main events:
40-yard dash
For wideouts, the 40-yard dash can mean the difference between being a first-round selection or late-round flier. Past players such as Arizona Cardinals wideout John Brown, who recorded a 4.34-second 40 last year, used a fast time to vault their status. This time around will be no different in the marquee event.
Bench press
The bench press is simple. Players will test their strength by lifting 225 pounds as many times as they can. Endurance is the key metric here, and a good number will show coaches how dedicated a player was in the weight room in college.
Vertical jump
For future No. 1 receivers who make their living on the outside, vertical leap is a major indicator of potential success. Players such as Baltimore Ravens star Torrey Smith were able to cement their early-round status by boasting 40-inch plus abilities.
Broad jump
Outside of raw athleticism, balance is tested as players must stand and jump as far as possible. The test of lower-body strength lets scouts know how explosive a potential draftee is.
3-cone drill
The three-cone drill is a test of agility that showcases an athlete's ability to change direction within a small space. For players who will earn their paychecks by running crisp routes, the ability to do this while getting in and out of breaks is huge. New Orleans Saints receiver Brandin Cooks had the best time in the last five years with a 3.81-second showing at the 2014 combine.
Shuttle run
This test of lateral movement is known as the 5-10-5 drill and combines side-to-side movement with the ability to turn and explode. For receivers, it’s similar to getting off the line of scrimmage.
Players to watch
Amari Cooper is the headliner here. The Alabama star took away the prestigious Biletnikoff Award in 2014 as college football’s best receiver. He should already be a first-round selection, but a good combine could strengthen that status.
Sammie Coates has size and speed at 6’2 and 213 pounds. The Auburn wideout is expected to run a good 40, and if he does, could impress. But where he lacks is in pure receiving skills. The Gauntlet figures to be an opportunity for him to show he’s worked on his ball skills enough to warrant an early-round selection.
Phillip Dorsett out of Miami could be the fastest receiver at the combine, which, considering the talent level, says a lot about his raw speed. His ability to take over a game is in question, however, as he wasn’t exceptional from a numbers standpoint in college.
DeVante Parker could be the first receiver selected if he solidifies himself as a superior athlete. He has an 80-inch wingspan and stands 6’3, plenty big enough to get a look as a future No. 1 receiver.
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