They are the NFL Combine performances you don't forget. Deion Sanders' incredible speed. Mike Mamula's out-of-nowhere vertical leap. Dwight Freeney's unexpected strength.
Players can make their marks at the NFL Combine, and plenty have.
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Here are the 16 greatest NFL Combine performances to date.
16. Dontari Poe, 2012
Poe became the No. 11 overall pick for the Chiefs by going crazy big man at the Combine. He and his massive frame (6-4, 346 pounds) recorded a 4.98 40-yard dash and a 29.5-inch vertical to go along with a less surprising 44 bench press reps.
That's how a player boosts his stock from a non-football powerhouse like Memphis.
15. Stephen Paea, 2011
Paea already was an intriguing defensive tackle prospect because of the power he showed with his squatty frame (6-1, 303 pounds) at Oregon State. Then he lived up to being pocket Herculean by throwing up 49 bench press reps.
14. Bruce Campbell, 2010
Campbell used the Combine to make his name and make sure he would be drafted. He bolted to a 4.75 40-yard dash at 6-6, 318 pounds, rare for an offensive tackle. He backed that up with a 34-inch vertical.
Not surprising, the Raiders took him earlier than most thought, in the fourth round at No. 106 overall.
13. Tim Tebow, 2010
Forget that Tebow, who went No. 25 overall to the Broncos, couldn't quite put it together as a polished passer in the NFL. He sold teams back then with a terrific interview, mechanics that were fine-tuned just for the Combine and his natural strength and athleticism.
Tebow, at 6-3, 236 pounds, recorded a 4.72 40-yard dash, a 38.5-inch vertical and a 6.6-second 3-cone drill.
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12. Darrius Heyward-Bey, 2009
The Raiders fell in love with the Hey-Bey kid when the 6-2, 210-pounder showed incredible speed (4.25 40-yard dash) and agility (38-inch vertical).
11. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, 2008
DRC blew past the cornerback competition by running a 4.29 40-yard dash, and he backed that up with a 37.5-inch vertical.
He already was known for good strength and appealing size (6-2, 193 pounds), but his athleticism is what shot him up from Tennessee State to the Cardinals at No. 16 overall.
10. Shaquem Griffin, 2018
Before joining twin brother Shaquill on the Seahawks as a fourth-round draft pick, Griffin ensured he would be selected that high with a blockbuster Combine, stamped by running the 40-yard dash at 4.38 seconds, blazing fast for a linebacker.
The 6-0, 227-pounder also inspired everyone by doing 20 bench-press reps while using a prosthetic attached to his left arm.
9. Chris Johnson, 2008
Before the Titans made CJ2K the No. 24 overall pick, the East Carolina product earned that status by acing the Combine's marquee speed and agility disciplines.
Few have come close to Johnson's 4.24 40-yard dash, which was backed up with a 35-inch vertical and a 10-foot 10-inch broad jump.
8. Calvin Johnson, 2007
It shouldn't shock anyone that he dropped a Megatron bomb in Indianapolis before the Lions took him at No. 2 overall. Johnson made jaws drop with a 4.35-second 40-yard dash at 6-3, 239 pounds.
Also consider the fact that Johnson decided to run at the last minute and used borrowed shoes. He was declared the best athlete in the 2007 draft class. We agree.
7. Vernon Davis, 2006
If there were an NFL Olympics, the Adonis-like Davis would be the first Greek demigod drafted to compete.
The 6-3, then 254-pound tight end looked the part and lived it in Indy with a 4.38 40-yard dash, a 42-inch vertical, a 10-foot 8-inch broad jump and 33 bench press reps.
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6. Fabian Washington, 2005
The Raiders have always loved track stars at the Combine. Washington exploded for a 4.29 40-yard dash, a 41.5-inch vertical and a 10-foot 9-inch broad jump.
The then 5-11, 188-pounder went from a solid cornerback prospect from Nebraska to the No. 23 overall pick for Oakland.
5. Matt Jones, 2005
There were doubts about whether Jones, a former quarterback at Arkansas, was athletic enough to turn his 6-6, 237-pound frame into a viable NFL wide receiver.
He wowed everyone with his speed (4.37 40-yard dash) and leaping ability enough to be a surprise first-round pick (Jaguars at No. 21) at his new position.
4. Dwight Freeney, 2002
It's hard to believe that Freeney ever was a questionable pass-rushing prospect. But before the draft, the 6-1, 268-pounder's size was a concern for many teams.
After Freeney's speed (4.48 40-yard dash) and agility (37-inch vertical) were matched with great strength (28 bench press reps) for that size, the Colts nailed it by taking him No. 11 overall.
3. Mike Mamula, 1995
At 6-4, 258 pounds, Mamula's training for the event paid off with a 4.58 40-yard dash, a 38.5-inch vertical, a 10-foot 5-inch broad jump and 28 bench press reps.
What put everything over the top was his studying, which resulted in a score of 49 out of 50 on the Wonderlic. Unfortunately, in his six years in the league with Philadelphia, he didn't play up to his Combine performance and recorded just 31.5 career sacks.
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2. Deion Sanders, 1989
A two-sport athlete good enough to moonlight as a major-league outfielder, Sanders might be the fastest player the NFL has ever seen. Prime Time was confident in his blazing speed and coverage ability.
We're thankful he chose to run at the Combine, because everyone's still trying to catch up to him after he blazed a 4.2-second 40-yard dash.
1. Bo Jackson, 1986
Bo knows explosiveness, and before the days of full-on media coverage and superior timing technology, Jackson reportedly was clocked at a ridiculous 4.12 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
We wouldn't believe it, but then we remember Jackson blowing into the tunnel for the Raiders on "Monday Night Football" and scaling walls to make catches for the Royals. He remains the Combine's Great White Whale.
