how much stock should you put into the combine?

[carolina-chuck]

Vontaze Burfict ran a 5+ 40 yard dash

he led the Bengals in tackles and graded very well for several weeks according to PFF

that's how much stock you should put into the combine

Well Burfict was a highly regarded prospect coming out. He was called the next coming of Ray Lewis. It wasnt until like that last couple weeks where Mike Mayock called out Burfict that he wouldnt draft him. And off the field issues hurted him a lot. Though, the kid showed he could play during his time at ASU.

[Herbert The Love Bug]

very little

[Miaoww]

As a fan I put more stock into it that most NFL teams.

It's my only real chance to see these players on a level playing field. I don't have access to their practices, their interviews, the coaches' film or their pro days. I think you can tell a lot by how fluid players are in their position drills.

That said film should be the prominent factor in the evaluation of a prospect. I quite like the Senior Bowl too - especially the practices.

If a player doesn't show up on film and he blows up the Combine he's only considered in the 6th/7th round in my opinion. You can always use athletes, but not at the expense of football players.

[Swaggasaurus]

Julio Jones. The combine skyrocketed him and it should've. You have to match on field production with combine numbers. Without gameday production the workouts are nothing (Terrell McClain). If a player is extremely productive on field but has bad combine numbers lean on game footage. Dwayne Jarretts 4.7 however trumps all

[Growl]

I took a wonderlic once. Made a 39. (out of 40)

fyi

[killacam]

Lets just not blow up the huddle again if a player has a Dontari Poe combine at a position of need

[Bwood]

The combine and pro days are for players to show improvement in areas of concern. Not just athletic performance, but personality with all of the interviews and whatnot. Also a chance to see other measurables that aren't recorded during the season like the 40, come drills, route running, broad, vertical, etc.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Only thing I really put stock into is the drills designed to test a players quickness, speed, agility, etc...

Those are three characteristics of a great football player so usually when you see good numbers at those designated drills it tends to mean you have a pretty good ball player on your hand (i.e. Kuechly, Newton, Beason, Williams, Smith, Davis etc).

I'm sure other drills are important to other people, but to me; these guys already know how to play football so just show me something extra (the wow factor) to make me a believer (i.e. 40 time).

[stirs]

We see the drills and get all charged up.

What is not seen, but probably carries the most weight are the interviews.

[DaCityKats]

does everybody realize that Dontari Poe went 11 overall and is the starting NT for a decent chiefs defense after killing the combine with bad tape. if the skill is there, and the athlete has the drive the coaching will get the most out of the player.

[bababoey]

The combine was originally done to check the health of players before they were drafted. And for that they are still very helpful to teams. The interview process is also a big plus for teams that scout well and know what questions to ask. But the 40, the bench press, all the agility drills, you can't look at all of them without some context.

For instance, may a cb runs a 4.6 40 but does really good in the short shuttle and the 3 cone. And maybe he is 6 feet tall and has a good bench press numbers and reads routs very well. Well if he goes to a zone team, the 4.6 wont hurt him so bad and he will probally be able to play right away.

It just depends on what teams are looking for and how well they know how to scout.

[MrBubba]

Should take serious because NFL takes it seriously. Many guys become first round picks or fall a round because of combine. Bad 40 times, hurt DB's and WR, low strength numbers hurt line guys. Although none of those numbers of tests help them play on Sunday.

[Kevin Greene]

[carpanfan96]

I usually pay attention to the splits on the 40, position drills and finding out about interviews.