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40-Yard Dash: Speed Scores to Gain Importance

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  Published in Stocks and Investing on Friday, February 20th 2026 at 7:12 GMT by Sporting News
      Locales: Indiana, Florida, UNITED STATES

1. The Everlasting Appeal of the 40-Yard Dash: The 40-yard dash continues to dominate the Combine conversation, and for good reason. It's a readily understandable metric - pure, unadulterated speed. While critics rightly point out that football rarely involves running in a straight line for 40 yards, the dash serves as an indicator of overall athleticism and potential. A sub-4.40 second time consistently elevates a prospect's profile. In 2026, expect scouts to place a higher emphasis on 'speed scores' that factor in a player's weight and position, offering a more nuanced view of speed relative to their frame. Players who test well, but lack the ability to translate that speed to game situations will still be scrutinized. The ability to accelerate, decelerate, and change direction with speed will be heavily weighed.

2. Bench Press: Raw Strength vs. Functional Power: The bench press, measuring maximal repetitions of 225 pounds, assesses upper body strength. While raw strength is valuable, particularly for offensive and defensive linemen, the league is increasingly valuing functional strength - the ability to translate strength into on-field performance. Teams are now analyzing bench press numbers alongside other metrics, such as the broad jump and 3-cone drill, to get a more complete picture of a player's overall athleticism. A high rep count coupled with excellent explosiveness in other drills signals a truly powerful athlete. We may also see increased scrutiny of technique during the bench press, looking for consistency and efficiency.

3. Vertical Jump: Explosiveness and Position-Specific Needs: The vertical jump, measuring lower body explosiveness, remains a key indicator of a player's athletic potential. It's particularly crucial for positions requiring quick bursts of power, such as wide receiver, tight end, and safety. However, context is key. A shorter, powerfully built running back may have a lower vertical than a lanky receiver, but that doesn't necessarily diminish his potential. Teams will be looking at relative explosiveness - jump height adjusted for weight and body type. Expect more data analysis to connect vertical jump performance with on-field metrics like yards after contact for running backs or contested catch rates for receivers.

4. 3-Cone Drill: Agility in a Dynamic Game: The 3-cone drill tests agility, change-of-direction ability, and overall body control. In today's NFL, where offenses and defenses are increasingly focused on speed and quickness, agility is paramount. The drill isn't about pure speed, but the ability to maintain speed while making sharp cuts. Linebackers and defensive backs, in particular, will be heavily evaluated in this drill. Analysts are already predicting that the 3-cone drill results will be even more closely correlated with players' ability to cover in man-to-man situations.

5. Arm Length: Leverage and Reach - Still Relevant: While some argue that arm length is an outdated metric, it continues to hold significance, especially for certain positions. Longer arms provide a leverage advantage for defensive linemen and linebackers, allowing them to better disengage from blockers and disrupt plays. For quarterbacks, longer arms can aid in throwing over defenders and making off-platform throws. While not a definitive predictor of success, arm length remains a valuable data point for teams, especially when combined with other physical attributes and skill assessments. The trend towards more mobile quarterbacks may slightly diminish its importance, but it's unlikely to be ignored.

The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine will undoubtedly offer plenty of talking points and potential draft-day steals. But remember, these measurements are just pieces of the puzzle. Teams are increasingly relying on sophisticated analytics and comprehensive scouting reports to evaluate prospects. The Combine provides a snapshot of physical potential, but ultimately, success in the NFL requires intelligence, technique, and a relentless work ethic.