How a prospect measures or performs at the NFL Combine is far from the be-all, end-all of determining his future as an NFL player. That's been proven year after year.
You don't need to look very hard for the best examples, either. There are seven current stars who overcame some of the worst performances in NFL Combine history, starting with the QB who has gone on to become the greatest of all time.
MORE: 15 best Combine performances | Combine records
NFL Combine: Best of the worst
Tom Brady, QB, Patriots (2000)
Brady looked far from a future five-time Super Bowl-winning QB, which led to him being a sixth-round pick (No. 199 overall). He was historically unathletic with his miserable 5.28-second 40-yard dash. His 6-5 frame also didn’t look great, weighing just 211 pounds. Of course, his intangibles, like intelligence and competitiveness, have made up for any shortcomings big time.
Tom Brady then: Just a QB from @UMichFootball trying to impress scouts at the #NFLCombine.
— NFL (@NFL) February 24, 2018
Tom Brady now: 💍💍💍💍💍
📺: 2018 NFL Combine: March 2-5 on @NFLNetwork pic.twitter.com/PhTMJeZfvi
Antonio Brown, WR, Steelers (2010)
It’s hard to believe that Brown’s speed, quickness and athleticism failed to impress at the Combine, but along with his 4.56-second 40, he had only a 33.5-inch vertical and a 6.98-second 3-cone. His 8-foot, 9-inch broad jump was worst among wide receivers who tested that year. Now, of course, he’s running, jumping and blowing past everybody after Pittsburgh absolutely stole him in the sixth round.
Antonio Brown 2010 NFL Combine. #Steelers https://t.co/juoH3pKNGf
— Blitzburgh (@Steel_Curtain4) February 23, 2016
Drew Brees, QB, Saints (2001)
Brees started off his Combine by measuring shorter than he was listed at Purdue, not even 6-feet. He combined that with struggles in making accurate passes and throwing some dreaded ducks down field. He settled for being the Chargers’ first pick of the second round, but he’s gone on to be one of the game’s most prolific passers in New Orleans.
Calais Campbell, DE, Cardinals (2008)
Before he became the best havoc-wreaking 3-4 end in the game west of J.J. Watt, Campbell had to fight through a less than desirable workout coming out of Miami. Tabbed early as a surefire, first-round pick, the 6-8, 290-pound Campbell struggled with both his strength (16 bench-press reps) and agility (5.04 in the 40, 7.45 in 3-cone). It allowed Arizona to nab the edge intimidator in the second round, No. 50 overall.
Ten years later, fresh off his first 4-3 season with the Jaguars, Campbell was voted Sporting News' NFL defensive player of the year.
Terrell Suggs, OLB, Ravens (2003)
We know Suggs as a strong, explosive, intimidating pass rusher now, but coming out of Arizona State he had a terrible Combine. Not only was he slow (4.8-second 40), but he also disappointed by doing a subpar 19 bench-press reps. It’s good Baltimore looked past all of that to take him at No. 10, because he's been T Sizzle-ing since.
Kam Chancellor, S, Seahawks (2010)
Chancellor measured at 6-3, 231 pounds and delivered a solid bench press with 22 reps at 225 pounds. The problem was that he did little to shake the notion that he was caught in between safety and maybe needing to transition to linebacker out of Virginia Tech with a slow 40 (4.62). Seattle took the four-time Pro Bowler in the fifth round and accepted him as a hard-hitting hybrid.
Joe Haden, CB, Browns (2010)
When Haden was coming out of Florida, there were concerns about his size hampering his ability to be a shutdown corner. Then explosiveness became a question at the Combine with a 4.57 40 and a 35-inch vertical leap, not in line with the good numbers at the position. Cleveland looked past that for the No. 7-overall pick and now Haden remains a well-compensated cover man coming off a strong bounce-back season with Pittsburgh.
