Lateral agility better indicates field speed

For as much is made about 40-yard dash times, the 20-yard short shuttle is regarded as a better measure of functional football playing speed.

And one way teams analyze both numbers is by subtracting the shuttle time from the 40-time, which gives teams another indicator for lateral agility or how straight-linish and tightly wound a defender might be.

Following is a breakdown, in order from best to worst, of the difference between 40-times and 20-yard shuttles based on NFL Scouting Combine data averages for each test, with an average included for every position.

For example, Tim Tebow ran an average 40-time of 4.74 seconds and an average shuttle of 4.18 seconds, registering a .56 differential, slightly better than the .52 average for quarterbacks.

Some players who stood out for having great differentials this year are the very explosive-footed Dexter McCluster, who might have disappointed scouts by clocking above 4.6 on handheld watches in the 40 at the Combine but shined with .51 differential, best of all running backs. Conversely, Georgia Tech’s Jonathan Dwyer, who is a straight-line slammer, registered a .00 differential, showing why some teams are projecting him to fullback.

Central Michigan’s Antonio Brown clocked in the upper 4.5s, yet still registered a .40 differential, explaining in part why he has been effective as a return man. USF’s Carlton Mitchell, Connecticut’s Marcus Easley and Clemson’s Jacoby Ford, on the other hand, all had negative differentials, clocking faster in the 40 than they did in shuttle drills, and illustrating why they very well might struggle to contribute as more than outside-the-numbers vertical receivers or return men.

The numbers below are sorted from best to worst by position:

* denotes underclassman

Nolan Nawrocki will answer selected questions from readers each Tuesday leading up to the draft, beginning April 6. Send your draft-related questions to Nawrocki at ASKquestions@pfwmedia.com.