Quick Answer
The NFL Scouting Combine is an annual week-long event in Indianapolis where 300+ draft prospects perform physical and mental tests for all 32 teams.
What is the NFL Draft Combine?
The NFL Scouting Combine is an invitation-only evaluation event held each year (typically late February/early March) at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, where roughly 300+ of the top draft-eligible prospects work out and interview in front of scouts, coaches, and executives from all 32 NFL teams.
The Main Drills
- 40-yard dash – The marquee speed test. John Ross's 4.22 seconds (2017) is the official record.
- Bench press – 225 lbs for max reps, testing upper-body strength endurance.
- Vertical jump & broad jump – Lower-body explosiveness.
- 3-cone drill & 20-yard shuttle – Agility and change of direction.
What Matters Beyond the Drills
- Medical exams – Often the most important part for teams; injury red flags can drop a prospect rounds.
- Team interviews – Each team gets formal 18-minute interviews with selected prospects.
- Measurements – Official height, weight, hand size, arm length, and wingspan.
Strong combine performances can vault players up draft boards, while poor showings (or skipped drills) push evaluators back to the game tape. Most scouts insist film matters far more — but combine numbers still move picks every year.