5 Best 3-Cone Drills in NFL Combine History

As the NFL Combine is approaching it is intriguing to see if the next class of upcoming rookies can break any records in any of the events at the Combine. While many may have their eyes set on the 40 yard-dash as well as the Bench Press, the 3 cone-drill is an important drill for potential draftees to showcase their agility and footwork. Can the upcoming class knock any of these five marks off the all-time list?

5. Michigan CB David Long, 6.45 seconds (2019)

Michigan Wolverines cornerback David Long ran a 6.45 second 3-cone drill at the 2019 Combine / Joe Robbins/Getty Images

David Long was a cornerback that came out of Michigan after earning First Team All-Big Ten honors in 2018. He showed off his footwork by finishing the 3-cone drill in just 6.45 seconds. After putting up impressive numbers in general at the 2019 Scouting Combine, he was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the third round of the NFL draft.

4. Louisville WR Scott Long, 6.45 seconds (2019)

Scott Long, a wide receiverout of Louisville, went undrafted because of his lack of top-end speed, but he remains in the history books for his 3-cone drill time. He was known as a solid route runner in college, which is surely why he excelled at the 3-cone. The San Francisco 49ers signed Long as an undrafted rookie, but waived him before he could play a down in the NFL.

3. Tennessee-Chattanooga CB Buster Skrine, 6.44 seconds (2011)

Chicago Bears cornerback Buster Skrine / Will Newton/Getty Images

Buser Skrine played collegiate football at Tennessee-Chattanooga, and developed a reputation as a speedy cornerback. Skrine was undersized, but he had great recovery ability and rarely got burned on deep balls. He showcased his elite footwork as he ran the 3-cone drill in just 6.44 seconds, and was selected by the Clevland Browns in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL draft and currently plays for the Chicago Bears.

2. Oregon WR Jeff Maehl, 6.42 seconds (2011)

Wide receiver Jeff Maehl as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles / Norm Hall/Getty Images

Similar to Scott Long, Jeff Maehl was a great route-runner that lacked speed and explosiveness. While he did not have great speed he had exceptional footwork, hence his 6.42 second 3-cone drill time. While he was able to read zone coverages well, teams believed he would not be able to break off man coverage at the pro level. He went undrafted in 2011, but was signed by the Houston Texans. He went on to play four seasons in the NFL.

1. Oklahoma CB Jordan Thomas, 6.28 seconds (2018)

Former Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Jordan Thomas has the fastest 3-cone drill time ever. / Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images

Jordan Thomas, a defensive back out of the University of Oklahoma, shattered Jeff Maehl's 3-cone drill record by an entire 0.14 seconds seven years after the mark was set. Thomas did not impress in other aspects of the Combine, however, leading him to go undrafted. He never got an opportunity to play in the NFL, but his impressive record still stands.