Which current Vikings players fared best in NFL scouting combine drills?
General manager Rick Spielman, coach Mike Zimmer and a large contingent of Vikings coaches, scouts and personnel employees are currently in route to Indianapolis for this year’s scouting combine. The drills start Friday, so they have a couple of days to recalibrate their stopwatches.
Under Spielman, the Vikings have placed an emphasis on adding speed and athleticism through the draft. But which of the current Vikings wowed scouts at the combine? Let’s dig through the semi-reliable combine records on NFL.com to see who was the best of the bunch.
40-yard dash: Cornerback Trae Waynes, the team’s first-round pick last spring, ran the fastest among his Vikings teammates in Indianapolis. He was clocked at 4.31 seconds in the drill, tops among all players in 2015 and the 10th-best all-time. Wide receiver Mike Wallace ran the 40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds in 2009, as did cornerback Josh Robinson in 2012.
Bench press: Nose tackle Linval Joseph, who signed as a free agent two years ago, did 39 reps on the bench in 2010, 10th-most since 2003.
Vertical jump: Workout warrior Jerick McKinnon leapt 40.5 inches in 2014, tying him with cornerback Xavier Rhodes, who hit that mark in 2013.
Broad jump: Cornerback Terence Newman, who is set to become a free agent, traveled 11 feet, four inches in the broad jump in 2003. That is three inches better than Robinson, also a free agent, jumped four years ago.
Three-cone drill: Robinson fared best in this important agility drill. His time of 6.55 seconds was second-best in his draft year and a little better than safety Harrison Smith, who was clocked at 6.63 seconds. Outside linebacker Anthony Barr impressed in 2014 at 6.82 seconds, a ridiculous time for his size. For example, McKinnon ran it in 6.83 that year.
20-yard shuttle: Newman, who also ran track at Kansas State, cruised through the 20-yard shuttle in 3.83 seconds back in 2003. Robinson and safety Robert Blanton, who will also be a free agent this offseason, were tied for second-best among active Vikings at 3.97 seconds in 2012.