5 NFL stars who overcame terrible Combine performances ft. Tom Brady

With the 2023 NFL Combine due to get underway, the best collegiate talent will be hoping to showcase their skills to scouts across the NFL.

Many of the current crop of NFL players, such as cornerback Byron Jones, have impressed scouts massively at their respective Combines. Jones not only set an NFL Combine record broad jump of 12ft 3in but also a world record.

However, for all the impressive performances, there have also been terrible outings. Despite this, these outings have little impact on the player besides harming their draft stock.

NFL players with terrible NFL Combines

#5 - Orlando Brown Jr.

Las Vegas Raiders v Kansas City Chiefs

Offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. was touted as a first-round selection in 2018, but after a terrible showing at the Combine, he fell to round 3.

Brown ran a 5.85 40-yard dash, the slowest of any player at the event. He also tallied up just 14 on the bench press, and his broad and vertical jumps were also the lowest of all players.

This didn't matter, though, as Brown has become one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL and picked up his first Super Bowl ring with the Kansas City Chiefs this past season.

#4 - Vontaze Burfict

Kansas City Chiefs v Cincinnati Bengals

Former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict went undrafted in 2012 after a terrible Combine.

He ran a 5.09 40 and just 16 reps on the bench press. This didn't matter as Burfict was a mainstay for the Bengals for the best part of a decade, making a Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro in 2013.

NFL players with terrible NFL Combines

#3 - Terrell Suggs

Oakland Raiders v Baltimore Ravens

Legendary defensive end Terrell Suggs didn't let a below-par Combine stop him from dominating in the NFL.

Suggs ran a 4.84 40-yard dash and amassed 18 bench press reps, which didn't impress scouts.

The Baltimore Ravens didn't flinch, though, taking Suggs in round one of the 2003 NFL Draft. Suggs was voted into seven Pro Bowls, won two Super Bowls, and is the Ravens' all-time leader in sacks.

#2 - Maurice Clarett

Maurice Clarett carries the ball

Running back Maurice Clarett was one of the most productive backs in college, but his career spiraled downhill after the Combine back in 2005.

Clarett ran a 4.72 40, was slow for a running back, and declined to partake in more drills. It remains unknown whether he was unfit or the moment was too big for him.

The Denver Broncos selected him in round three of that year's Draft, but he was released before ever playing a down in the NFL.

#1 - Tom Brady

NFC Wild Card Playoffs - Dallas Cowboys v Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The best player of all time had one of the worst NFL Combine performances ever.

Tom Brady bombed the 2000 edition, running just a 5.3-second 40-yard dash. He also had a 24.5-inch vertical and came across to scouts as rather unathletic. Brady was the seventh quarterback selected after this, falling to 199th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft.

That didn't matter, as Brady went on to win seven Super Bowl rings and three MVPs and is widely regarded as the GOAT.

Brady hung up his cleats for the second and final time after the 2022 season at the age of 45.