NFL Combine Picks & Odds for Bench Press, Shuttle Run, Broad Jump

• Testing at the NFL Combine begins on Thursday in Indianapolis
• No one in 2025 was able to bench 225 pounds past this year’s line of 35.5 reps
• See the NFL Combine odds for bench Press, shuttle run, broad jump and more, plus my picks and best bets for 2026

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It’s the unofficial start of the path to the draft, as the NFL Combine kicks off Thursday in Indianapolis.

While the 40-yard dash usually steals the headlines (you can read more about that event here from my colleague Chris Amberley), there are plenty of other stations where you can stretch your betting dollar.

Let’s take a look at the other tests of strength and agility and the combine, and where we you can cash in with my best bets.

NFL Combine Odds

The best odds of any event is taking the Under for bench press reps, which pays out at -105 odds. Taking the Under in the 3-cone drill, the broad jump and vertical jump all pay out at -110.

The best Over odds are in the 20-yard shuttle, which is getting -115 odds.

Odds as of Feb 25. New customers can claim a DraftKings promo code to get a bonus to bet on the NFL Combine.

NFL Combine Best Bet #1: Bench Press

This one is all power, and the separation from the mighty to the weak comes through pretty quickly, when counting how many times you can pump 225 pounds on the bench.

No surprise, then, that this category is usually dominated by the biggest men on the field: the offensive and defensive linemen. They own the top 10 reps completed, with the lowest number in that party at a whopping 42.

The all-time record came in 2011 when hulking defensive tackle Stephen Paea crushed 49 reps.

Still not over when Stephen Paea broke the Combine bench press record with 49 reps 😳

2026 NFL Combine starts Thursday 3pm ET on @nflnetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/CwFcFachaR

— NFL (@NFL) February 24, 2026

Last year, no one came close to the 35.5 total, with DL Ethan Downs and TE CJ Dippre each hitting 32.

With 25-30 reps considered pretty good, there are a bevy of big men that might not challenge Paea, but definitely that number.

That list includes O-linemen Francis Mauigoa from Miami, Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor and Logan Jones of Iowa. Along the D-line, Mauigoa’s Miami teammate Rueben Bain Jr is a consideration as is and DeMonte Capehart of Clemson.

One of those guys should be able to push past that number.

• Pick: Over 35.5 reps (-125 at DraftKings)

NFL Combine Best Bet #2: Vertical Jump

Standing and jumping as high as you can isn’t exactly practical on the football field, but it does create a buzz for someone’s sheer athleticism as they touch those slap sticks (if, we’re being honest, look like paint sample sheets).

The record is held by North Carolina safety Gerald Sensabaugh, who touched the 46-inch stick back in 2005. The big leapers haven’t finished inside an inch of that mark, with Chris Conley (2015) and Donald Washington (2009) each hitting 45.

Last year, Nick Emmanwori was the high man at 43 inches, and so the books have set the bar for this year at 43.25 inches.

43” vert! South Carolina DB Nick Emmanwori can get 🆙 (via @StaceyDales)

📺: #NFLCombine on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/BtrzMwbvqw

— NFL (@NFL) February 28, 2025

Is there a freakish athlete in the mix that can top that number? The expected threats to hit the 40-inch plateau and beyond include South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse, North Dakota State WR Bryce Lance, linebackers Sonny Styles (Ohio State) and Jack Kelly (BYU).

Another guy to keep an eye out for is talented Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq, who jumped 41.5 inches last summer at 255 pounds. He’s expected to be at around 240 at Indianapolis, and could have scouts looking way up.

• Pick: Vertical jump Over 43.25 inches (-120 at DraftKings)

NFL Combine Best Bet #3: 3-Cone Drill

Scheduling plays into your hands to finish off your ticket at the 3-Cone Drill. Part of the reason you should be targeting the Under is because this is perhaps the least attended station in Indianapolis.

It’s one of the last events of the day, and after a gruelling session, some players pull out altogether, as the reward for a good time is outweighed by fatigue and lack of focus, that could result in a poor time, and perhaps a drop in draft stock.

The all-time record is a blistering 6.28 seconds by Jordan Thomas, a tight end from Mississippi State back in 2018.

The fastest L-Drill ever recorded at the NFL Combine.

Pure efficiency. Elite shin angles. Controlled deceleration → instant re-acceleration.

This is what agility looks like at the highest level.

A record-setting 6.28 by Jordan Thomas, trained by my friend and co-worker Ben… pic.twitter.com/3y8rYLgKTC

— Clif Marshall (@ClifMarshall) January 30, 2026

No one’s really challenged that mark. In fact, only five prospects have even been able to crack the 6.6 second mark. Last year, receiver Tez Johnson had the fastest 3-Cone at 6.65 seconds.

This shiftiness and fast-twitch movements are usually areas where receivers and defensive backs excel, and that doesn’t change in 2025.

Indiana’s D’Angelo Ponds is expected to be among the top contenders, as are fellow DB’s Caleb Downs (Ohio State), Mansoor Delane (LSU) and Jermod McCoy (Tennessee).

Even if they all participate, I find it tough for any of these guys to get to the time line.

• Pick: 3-Cone drill Under 6.585 seconds (-110 at DraftKings)