Combine 101: 3-Cone Drill

Leading up to the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine, theScore's staff will take you through all the events the top prospects will participate in. The combine takes place in Indianapolis from Feb. 17-23.

Combine Events
40-Yard Dash | Bench Press
Vertical Jump | Broad Jump
3-Cone Drill | Shuttle Run

3-Cone Drill

The 3-cone drill measures a player's ability to change directions without losing speed. The cones are laid out in an L shape. The player starts at the first cone, runs forward 5 yards to the second cone, returns to where he started, then pivots and goes back to the second cone. This time, he turns 90 degrees at the second cone and runs to the third cone. There, he loops around the third cone and then retraces his steps to the starting point.

Top Performers

Notable Performances

Hall cements status

The 3-cone drill is of extra significance for cornerback prospects as it's an excellent measure of a player's ability to bend and change direction. Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Leon Hall helped cement his first-round draft status with a 6.50-second 3-cone time in 2007.

Peterson stands out

At 6-foot and 219 pounds, Patrick Peterson is bigger than most cornerbacks, but he proved in 2011 that his size doesn't slow him down. Peterson ran the 3-cone drill in 6.58 seconds, a top-five time in his class of defensive backs. Weeks later, the Arizona Cardinals made him the fifth overall pick in the draft. 

2015 Top Prospect Prediction

Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
It's exceptionally difficult to predict top 3-cone drill results, as many of the event's top performers were fringe prospects who failed to go on to successful pro careers. Peters is a candidate to post a strong time in the drill and end up as a high draft pick. He has excellent change-of-direction ability and short-area burst.