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As Combine Drills Begin, Beware Of Combine Drills

History littered with players who are freaks in Indy and duds in career

Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort says each year -- and frankly, most GMs say something similar -- that at the Scouting combine, it's the player interviews and the medical testing that provides the most for teams when it comes to the draft process.

But it's the drills that get on TV, that show the athletes being athletes and that still, even after all this time, can catch an eye enough to shoot someone up draft boards. Here in Indianapolis, the drills for the 2025 commence Thursday, so those numbers -- cool 40 times, big bench press numbers, the always exciting shuttle run -- are going to hit the internet.

Sometimes, that's a harbinger of good things. Aaron Donald, for instance, killed Indy en route to his soon-to-be Hall of Fame career. But mostly, it's a reminder that teams should always remember the tape is most important.

The 33rd Team put together a list of the top 10 players who moved way up draft boards (and the draft) after a big Scouting combine.

Player Team Year
DE Mike Mamula Eagles 1995
DE Vernon Gohlston Jets 2008
WR Matt Jones Jaguars 2005
DT Dontari Poe Chiefs 2012
WR John Ross Bengals 2017
T Tony Mandarich Packers 1989
CB Byron Jones Cowboys 2015
TE Vernon Davis 49ers 2008
DT Aaron Donald Rams 2014
WR Darius Heyward-Bey Raiders 2009

All were first-round picks. Most were ... underwhelming, to put in mildly. Donald was great. Davis was excellent in his prime. Poe made a couple of Pro Bowls. Other than that, it's a group that had the numbers but it didn't translate.

Ossenfort is the kind of GM that doesn't seem like he'd ever get caught up in one big week here in Indiana. But it's always interesting to note who has the best Combine numbers, if it significantly changes a guy's draft stock in April, and what that guy's career ends up looking like.

DRC breaks up a pass for DHB in 2010.
DRC breaks up a pass for DHB in 2010.
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