NFL Draft 2012: What Each Scouting Combine Drill Means for Draft Analysis

For many NFL draft hopefuls, today is when it all starts.

More than 300 NFL prospects are expected to be in attendance this week at the annual NFL Combine testing at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. 

During this testing period, which will run from Feb. 22-28, prospects are tested on their abilities, ranging from speed, to strength, to endurance. Those who perform at a high level should see their draft stock rise, and those who don't perform up to standards could see their name fall when it comes to draft day.

There are seven core events or tests at the NFL combine, but what exactly are scouts looking for during these tests?

Let's break down what each scouting combine drill means for draft analysis.

Bleacher Report Style!

40-Yard Dash

The 40-yard dash is the most well-known test performed at the NFL combine, and rightfully so.

So we ask, why is the 40-yard dash so important?

Because, this test looks at pure speed in a sprinting format, which in this day and age certainly has some value in the NFL.

Chris Johnson, Michael Vick, Jamal Charles and Mike Wallace: All four of those guys are among the best at their respected position, and all four of them had blazing fast times in the 40-yard dash.

Of course, this isn't all that matters.

Players such as Darius Heyward-Bey, CJ Spiller and Ted Ginn Jr. were all drafted high because of their elite speed, and none of them have really panned out in the NFL up to this point.

But nonetheless, if you are deciding between two players in the draft at a position that required quick in-line speed, the 40-yard dash is always the top drill that NFL scouts will look at during that evaluation process.

Bench Press

Next to the 40-yard dash, the bench press is probably the second most popular test during the NFL combine.

Why is this so popular? Because it measures a players' shear strength—as we know, football is a game where strength and speed are the most important assets. Of course, being smart can help you along the way.

In the bench press exercise, participants are required to lift 225 pounds to the point of exhaustion. 

This drill is important because it simply tells you how strong a player is. Certain positions, such as offensive and defensive line, linebacker and tight end, require a lot of strength and muscular effort exerted out on the football field. 

Scouts look to make sure that a player is strong in the chest and shoulders, which should transition to results on the football field from day one.

Vertical Jump

The vertical jump is one of the most underrated tests during the NFL Combine. It tests lower body explosion and the ability to go up and make a play on the ball.

With that said, it should be no surprise that this test is most important for wide receivers, tight ends and defensive backs.

Those scouts who analyze this test closely are those generally looking at those specific positions and trying to get an idea for what players have the ability to leap up and make play in the passing game, whether it be on defense or offense.

All three wide receivers taken in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft—Julio Jones, A.J. Green and Jonathan Baldwin—tested exceptionally well in this event. 

Broad Jump

The broad jump certainly doesn't get as much popularity points as some of these other tests, but it is equally as important.

This event tests a players' lower body strength and, just like the vertical jump, his ability to explode off the ground. This drill is important to wide receivers and defensive backs, who often have to use their lower body strength to go up and make plays. 

Julio Jones, Greg Little and Price Amukamara are all examples of current NFL players who excelled in this drill during last year's NFL Combine.

The broad jump and vertical jump do have many similar characteristics, but scouts are looking for high scores in both events for those who want to succeed at defensive back or wide receiver,

Three Cone Drill

The Three Cone Drill might be the least talked-about drill in the NFL combine, and there is some reason behind that.

Jeff Maehl, Buster Skrine, Scott Long, Dan Sanzenbacher and Terrence Tolliver. What are those five guys doing today?

I could tell you what Sanzenbacher is doing and maybe Tolliver just because I follow the LSU beat, but the average NFL football fan would have next to no clue about the answer to that question.

Well, those are the five guys who had the top five scores in the Three Cone Drill over the past three seasons.

This drill shows a player's center of gravity, balance, foot speed and ability to change directions quickly.

Scouts are looking at this drill for almost every position, which does make it important even though it may be the least talked about one. 

Short Shuttle Run

The short shuttle is measured in 20 yards and is designed to test players lateral speed.

How it works is that a player lines up, runs five yards to a spot, touches the line, then sprints 10 yards in the other direction and again touches that line.

It's very similar to a "suicide" which those who played high school sports should certainly be familiar with.

In this drill, scouts are looking for players to drop their weight and accelerate quickly once the whistle is blown, and from line to line.

Former Boise State standout Austin Pettis had the top score in this event in 2011. 

Long Shuttle Run

This brings us to the last event of the NFL combine, which is the 60-yard shuttle, or the "long shuttle run."

There is no doubt in my mind that this is the most pointless drill in the NFL combine because, honestly, if you are in a situation where you are running 60-plus yards on a football field during a game, chances are that you are fast to begin with.

Not to mention that offensive and defensive linemen aren't even required to participate in this drill, which makes it that much more pointless.

Scouts are looking to see how players change direction from a starting point and how fast they are at distance running.

If you ask me, this drill will be completely eliminated from the Combine in two or three years.