The NFL Scouting Combine runs Feb. 22-25 in Indianapolis, and it brings together 335 of the nation's most draftable players and numerous front-office representatives and scouts from each NFL team.
A big portion of the combine is the individual events, such as the 40-yard dash, the bench press and the vertical jump.
This is Part 3 of our position-by-position look at the combine, spotlighting offensive linemen. We look at six prospects who will be scrutinized this year and also look at noteworthy event performances in the past five combines. We'll also look at how notable current NFL players performed at their combine events.
Six to watch this year
OT Seantrel Henderson, Miami: Henderson (6-foot-6, 337 pounds) is massive and has tremendous athleticism for a guy his size. He is expected to fully show off his athletic gifts at the combine. But to steal a line from Winston Churchill, Henderson is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. He hasn't come close to matching his high-school hype or living up to his potential. The question for scouts after they watch what should be a strong combine showing from the big man is how much stock they should put in actual game tape.
OT Taylor Lewan, Michigan: Lewan (6-8, 315) surprised more than a few observers when he stayed at Michigan for his senior season, but he had an uneven fall for the disappointing Wolverines. He actually might have been selected earlier in the 2013 draft than he will in the '14 draft. He's a good athlete for his size and should have strong showings in some of the combine events.
OT Morgan Moses, Virginia: Moses (6-6, 325) is surprisingly light on his feet for a guy who flirts with 330 pounds. He has a chance to be one of the first five tackles off the board, and moving into the top five at the position could mean a first-round selection. But he needs a strong combine showing to move into the top five at the position.
G Cyril Richardson, Baylor: Richardson (6-4, 344) is massive, but after a rough week at the Reese's Senior Bowl, particularly when going against Pitt DT Aaron Donald, doubts resurfaced about his ability to handle quick interior linemen and to block in space. Richardson's footwork is an issue. He should do well in the bench press, though.
C Weston Richburg, Colorado State: Is he the best at his position? He could be, and a strong combine showing would help him in that regard. Richburg (6-3, 300) is a better athlete than you think -- he actually ran the hurdles in high school in Texas -- and he should test well in the 20-yard shuttle.
G Xavier Su'a-Filo, UCLA: Su'a-Filo (6-3, 305) spent a lot of time at tackle at UCLA, including starting at that position in the second half of the 2013 season. But he'll strictly be a guard in the NFL, and he should be the first guard off the board. How he does at the combine could determine whether he goes in the first round. Su'a-Filo, an Eagle Scout, left UCLA after his junior season. He turned 23 on Jan. 1 and missed two years of football on a Mormon mission (he spent it in Alabama and Florida).
Combine best over past five seasons
40-YARD DASH
1. OT Terron Armstead, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Time: 4.71 in 2013
Draft status: 3rd round, New Orleans
2. OT Lane Johnson, Oklahoma
Time: 4.72 in 2013
Draft status: 1st round (4th overall), Philadelphia
3. OT Bruce Campbell, Maryland
Time: 4.85 in 2010
Draft status: 4th round, Oakland
4. OT Trent Williams, Oklahoma
Time: 4.88 in 2010
Draft status: 1st round (4th overall), Washington
5. OT Lydon Murtha, Nebraska
Time: 4.89 in 2009
Draft status: 7th round, Detroit
Notable players
C Ryan Kalil, USC: 4.96 seconds in 2007
OT Jake Long, Michigan: 5.22 seconds in 2008
G Kyle Long, Oregon: 4.94 seconds in 2013
G Logan Mankins, Fresno State: 5.06 seconds in 2005
OT Joe Thomas, Wisconsin: 4.92 seconds in 2007
20-YARD SHUTTLE
1. C Jason Kelce, Cincinnati
Time: 4.14 seconds in 2011
Draft status: 6th round, Philadelphia
2. OT Lydon Murtha, Nebraska
Time: 4.34 seconds in 2009
Draft status: 7th round, Detroit
2. OT Nate Solder, Colorado
Time: 4.34 seconds in 2011
Draft status: 1st round (17th overall), New England
4. OT Anthony Castonzo, Boston College
Time: 4.40 seconds in 2011
Draft status: 1st round (22nd overall), Indianapolis
4. C Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas
Time: 4.40 seconds in 2009
Draft status: 4th round, Cincinnati
4. C A.Q. Shipley, Penn State
Time: 4.40 seconds in 2009
Draft status: 7th round, Pittsburgh
Notable players
OT Eric Fisher, Central Michigan: 4.44 seconds in 2013
OT Robert Gallery, Iowa: 4.39 seconds in 2004
OT Jake Long, Michigan: 4.73 seconds in 2008
OT Joe Thomas, Wisconsin: 4.88 seconds in 2007
C Max Unger, Oregon: 4.50 seconds in 2009
VERTICAL JUMP
1. G Travis Bright, BYU
Jump: 35.5 inches in 2009
Draft status: Undrafted
1. OT Donald Stephenson, Oklahoma
Jump: 35.5 inches in 2012
Draft status: 3rd round, Kansas City
3. OT Lydon Murtha, Nebraska
Jump: 35 inches in 2009
Draft status: 7th round, Detroit
4. OT Terron Armstead, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Jump: 34.5 inches in 2013
Draft status: 3rd round, New Orleans
4. OT Trent Williams, Oklahoma
Jump: 34.5 inches in 2010
Draft status: 1st round (4th overall), Washington
Notable players
OT Anthony Davis, Rutgers: 33 inches in 2010
OT Eric Fisher, Central Michigan: 28.5 inches in 2013
G Logan Mankins, Fresno State: 31.5 inches in 2005
G Evan Mathis, Alabama: 35.5 inches in 2005
OT Jason Smith, Baylor: 24 inches in 2009
BENCH PRESS
1. G Mitch Petrus, Arkansas
Numbers: 45 reps in 2010
Draft status: 5th round, New York Giants
2. C David Molk, Michigan
Numbers: 41 reps in 2012
Draft status: 7th round, San Diego
3. G Louis Vasquez, Texas Tech
Numbers: 39 reps in 2009
Draft status: 3rd round, San Diego
4. OT Russell Okung, Oklahoma State
Numbers: 38 reps in 2010
Draft status: 1st round (6th overall), Seattle
5. G Eric Herman, Ohio
Numbers: 36 reps in 2013
Draft status: 7th round, New York Giants
Notable players
OT Eric Fisher, Central Michigan: 27 reps in 2013
C Ryan Kalil, USC: 34 reps in 2007
OT Jake Long, Michigan: 37 reps in 2008
OT Tyron Smith, USC: 29 reps in 2011
OT Joe Thomas, Wisconsin: 28 reps in 2007
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
