NFL Combine Results 2011: Top Performers from Workout Drills

Though the NFL combine is more than simply times and repetitions, sometimes a player’s performance in the workout drills can open an NFL team’s eyes as to what sort of tools that player has.

The workout schedule consists of seven events: 40-yard dash, bench press, vertical jump, broad jump, three cone drill, 20-yard shuttle run and 60-yard shuttle run.

For more information on each event, visit the NFL combine’s workout page.

Here are the top performers from each workout drill, with a few honorable mentions along the way.

Honorable Mention: Vertical Jump and Broad Jump

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 05: Jonathan Baldwin #82 of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers catches a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bearcats on December 5, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Jonathan Baldwin, the 6’4” wide receiver out of Pittsburgh, showed his jumping abilities with a second-place finish in the vertical jump (42.0 inches) and a fifth-place finish in the broad jump (10’9”).

He already has great size, and the ability to jump up and snatch the ball over defenders adds to his potential.

His speed will also allow him to make an impact in the NFL.

Virgil Green, TE, Nevada, Vertical Jump

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 09: Virgil Green #85 of the Nevada Wolf Pack and Okechukwu Okoroha #27 of Boston College fight for the ball during the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl at AT&T Park on January 9, 2011 in San Francisco, California. Green came down with

Ever since Tony Gonzalez first suited up for the Kansas City Chiefs, the mold of athletic tight ends has really caught on.

While most teams stick to a conventional blocking tight end, players like Antonio Gates and Vernon Davis are considered regular receivers for their respective teams.

Virgil Green showed his athleticism with a 42.5" vertical jump. He also performed well in the 40-yard dash, broad jump, three cone drill and 60-yard shuttle run.

He’s slightly undersized, so he may slip to the later rounds, but athletic tight ends are still a rare commodity.

Julio Jones, WR, Alabama, Broad Jump

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ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 01: Julio Jones #8 of the Alabama Crimson Tide rushes for a touchdown during the Capitol One Bowl against the Michigan State Spartans at the Florida Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty I

Of the top performers, Julio Jones is one of the few that projects as a first-round pick.

Jones posted 11’3” in the broad jump. He also had a strong 40-yard dash.

He will likely be one of the first two wide receivers drafted, along with A.J. Green from Georgia.

Jones has the tools to be a No. 1 receiver. Analysts believe he “stole the show” at the workout.

Honorable Mention: Three Cone Drill, 20-Yard Shuttle Run, 60-Yard Shuttle Run

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Dane Sanzenbacher #12 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs after a catch against Isaac Madison #6 of the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second quarter during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in Ne

Not only does his name barely fit on his jersey, it’s almost impossible to read it because of this guy’s speed.

Dane Sanzenbacher, a 5’11” wide receiver from Ohio State, may be a late-round sleeper.

He finished second in the three cone drill, second in the 60-yard shuttle run and third in the 20-yard shuttle run.

He is said to be a good route runner and a fearless competitor.

Austin Pettis, WR, Boise State, 20-Yard Shuttle Run

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BOISE, ID - NOVEMBER 19: Austin Pettis #2 of the Boise State Broncos runs after a catch against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Bronco Stadium on November 19, 2010 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Otto Kitsinger III/Getty Images)

Austin Pettis from Boise State posted the top time in the 20-yard shuttle run at 3.88 seconds.

He has a variety of skills, but he projects mostly as a special teams player who will be snatched up in the middle rounds.

Jeffrey Maehl, WR, Oregon, Three Cone Drill

He may not be the biggest receiver or the fastest receiver in the draft, but Jeffrey Maehl plays with a huge heart.

The Oregon receiver finished first in the three cone drill with a time of 6.42 seconds. That time also set a new record.

He wasn’t even rated in the top 30 receivers, but his start-and-stop speed may move him up.

Jeffrey Maehl, WR, Oregon, 60-Yard Shuttle Run

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EUGENE,OR - DECEMBER 03: Wide receiver Jeff Maehl #23 of the Oregon Ducks runs with the ball after a catch against the Oregon State Beavers at Autzen Stadium on December 3, 2009 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images)

Sound familiar?

Maehl posted a time of 10.88 seconds in the 60-yard shuttle run, just one hundredth of a second from tying the record.

He also finished second in the 20-yard shuttle run.

His performances should open some eyes for a team looking for speed on the outside. He could be a later-round steal.

Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State, Bench Press

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PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 06: Derrick Coleman #33 of the UCLA Bruins runs from Stephen Paea #54 of the Oregon State Beavers at the Rose Bowl on November 6, 2010 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Stephen Paea set a new record in the bench press, benching 225 pounds 49 times, 11 more than the next competitor.

Paea is still quite new to football, but he has shown his brute strength along the defensive line.

He was described as a “gym rat,” and his performance on the bench further cements that description.

Honorable Mention: 40-Yard Dash

Wide receivers Edmund Gates and Ricardo Lockette finished tied for second overall in the 40-yard dash with a time of 4.37 seconds.

Gates is a 6’0” wideout from Abilene Christian. He is said to be a work in progress, but his 40 time proves the speed is there.

Standing at 6’2”, Lockette played at Fort Valley State. He also is a very raw talent, which may cause him to slip to the later rounds.

Da’Rel Scott, RB, Maryland, 40-Yard Dash

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CHESTNUT HILL, MA - NOVEMBER 29: Da'Rel Scott #23 of the Maryland Terrapins carries the ball in the first half against the Boston College Eagles on November 29, 2008 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The 40-yard dash is the glamour event of the NFL combine. Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson, known for his elusive speed, set the record in 2008 with a time of 4.24 seconds.

Maryland running back Da’Rel Scott had an impressive run, recording a 4.34, good enough for the best time of the day.

Scott is an agile runner, but he still projects as a later draft pick because scouts believe he can’t physically carry the load of an every-down back.

With his performance, he at least showed scouts that he can provide a burst of speed out of the backfield.