NFL combine 2019: The records draft prospects will hope to break

Liam Blackburn

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NFL combine 2019: The records draft prospects will hope to break image

The 2019 NFL Scouting Combine begins in Indianapolis this week as hundreds of top prospects get the opportunity to impress the 32 franchises ahead of April's draft.

Players such as Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa and Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray will be among those assessed via physical, medical and psychological tests, while teams will also get the opportunity to conduct interviews with those they are considering selecting.

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The combine is an opportunity for prospects to show they deserve to shoot up draft boards, though poor performances at Lucas Oil Stadium can also have a negative impact.

Here we look at the records for the four most high-profile drills that players will participate in.

40-yard dash 

4.22 seconds set by John Ross in 2017

The Washington wide receiver certainly helped his draft stock when he set a blistering time in the 40 two years ago.

He shaved 0.02 seconds off the record that future Titans running back Chris Johnson had set nine years earlier.

Ross' performance persuaded the Bengals to select him ninth overall, though an injury-wracked time in the NFL has made that look like a poor decision so far.

Bench press  

49 reps set by Stephen Paea in 2011

Players are tasked with lifting 225 pounds as many times as they can in a test of strength and endurance.

Only 18 players have managed more than 40 reps and New Zealand-born defensive tackle Paea holds the record with a staggering 49.

Paea was a second-round pick for the Bears in 2011 and enjoyed a seven-year career in the NFL, going on to feature for the Redskins, Browns and Cowboys.

Vertical jump 

45.0 inches set by Chris Conley in 2015

Patrick Mahomes' passes are usually on the money but if the Chiefs quarterback and recently crowned NFL MVP sails one a little too high in Conley's direction, he does not need to worry too much.

From a flat-footed stance, Conley reached up to 45 inches to showcase his athleticism ahead of the 2015 draft.

That impressed the Chiefs sufficiently to pick him in the third round, and the receiver had his most productive year last season in terms of touchdowns, bringing in five scores.

Broad jump 

12 feet, 3 inches set by Byron Jones in 2015

While Conley was showing how high he could jump three years ago, Jones was showing how far he could leap.

Now a versatile defensive back with the Cowboys, Jones proved the strength and explosion in his lower body by jumping over 12 feet.

Jones' performance was so impressive, his fellow draft hopefuls reacted in disbelief and Dallas used a first-round pick to make him a Cowboy.

Liam Blackburn