2012 NFL Scouting Combine: A Quick Look at Combine Records

With the 2012 NFL Combine kicking off today in Indianapolis, let's take a quick look at some of the all-time best times and rep numbers put on display at the combine over the years.

Some of the names listed below you'll know, others are mostly forgotten.

It just goes to show: While the combine is an important scouting tool, don't put all your faith in the numbers translating into NFL success. There much more to football than running in a straight line or bench pressing an idle bar.  

NFL combine records, via TopEnd Sports:

40-yard dash (seconds)

1. Chris Johnson, 4.24 (2008)

1. Rondel Melendez, 4.24 (1999)

3. Demarcus Van Dyke, 4.28 (2011)

3. Jacoby Ford, 4.28 (2011)

3. Jerome Mathis, 4.28 (2005)

3. Champ Bailey, 4.28 (1999) 

225-pound bench press (reps)

1. Justin Ernest, 51 (1999)

2. Stephen Paea, 49 (2011)

3. Mitch Petrus, 45 (2010)

3. Mike Kudla, 45 (2006)

3. Leif Larsen, 45 (2000)

Vertical jump (inches)

1. Gerald Sensabaugh, 46 (2005)

2. Derek Wake, 45.5 (2005)

3. Donald Washington, 45 (2009)

3. Chris McKenzie, 45 (2005)

3. Chris Chambers, 45 (2001)

Broad jump (feet-inches)

1. Scott Starks, 11-5 (2005)

2. Justin Fargas, 11-5 (2003)

3. Jerome Simpson, 11-4 (2008)

4. Donald Washington, 11-3 (2009)

5. Darius Butler, 11-2 (2009)

20-yard shuttle (seconds)

1. Kevin Kasper, 3.73 (2001)

2. Deion Branch, 3.76 (2002)

3. Dunta Robinson, 3.78 (2004)

4. Champ Bailey, 3.79 (1999)

5. Dante Hall, 3.82 (2000)

3-cone drill (seconds)

1. Jeff Maehl, 6.42 (2011)

2. Buster Skrine, 6.44 (2011)

3. Scott Long, 6.45 (2010)

3. Sedrick Curry, 6.45 (2000)

5. Dane Sanzenbacher, 6.46 (2011)