PlyoMetricAICombine vertical jump · by position
NFL and NBA combine vertical jump by position
At the NFL Scouting Combine the median vertical runs from 36.0 in for cornerbacks to 28.25 in for offensive linemen (2000–2026). Drafted NBA players averaged a standing vertical of 30.1 in at point guard down to 27.9 in at center (2000–2018).
| Position | Median vertical |
|---|---|
| Cornerback (CB) | 36.0 in91 cm |
| Wide receiver (WR) | 35.5 in90 cm |
| Safety (S) | 35.5 in90 cm |
| Running back (RB) | 34.5 in88 cm |
| Linebacker (LB) | 34.0 in86 cm |
| Tight end (TE) | 33.5 in85 cm |
| Edge rusher (EDGE) | 33.0 in84 cm |
| Quarterback (QB) | 31.0 in79 cm |
| Defensive tackle (DT) | 29.5 in75 cm |
| Offensive line (OL) | 28.25 in72 cm |
| Position | Standing vertical |
|---|---|
| Point guard (PG) | 30.1 in76 cm |
| Shooting guard (SG) | 30.0 in76 cm |
| Small forward (SF) | 29.5 in75 cm |
| Power forward (PF) | 29.0 in74 cm |
| Center (C) | 27.9 in71 cm |
What the combine measures
Both numbers here are jumps from standing. At the NFL combine an athlete stands under a Vertec, reaches, then jumps and taps the highest vane he can; the vertical is the difference. The NBA's no-step vertical works the same way. The NBA's running max vertical, with an approach, reads several inches higher and is not used here.
Combine athletes are among the best jumpers of their age and are measured at their peak. For a fair everyday comparison by age and sex, use the vertical jump percentile calculator.
Method and sources
- Percentiles
- Statistics Canada, Canadian Health Measures Survey cycle 5 (2016–17): Hoffmann MD, Colley RC, Doyon CY, Wong SL, Tomkinson GR, Lang JJ. "Normative-referenced percentile values for physical fitness among Canadians", Health Reports 30(10), 2019, Table 4. A nationally representative sample aged 8 to 69; one two-leg countermovement jump on a force plate, arm swing allowed, best of three trials. Statistics Canada Open Licence.
- NFL targets
- Median vertical jump by position at the NFL Scouting Combine, 2000–2026, from the nflverse combine data (6,790 recorded jumps). Positions grouped as listed in the table.
- NBA targets
- No-step (standing) vertical jump of drafted players at the NBA Draft Combine, 2000–2018, mean by position: Cui Y et al., "Key anthropometric and physical determinants for different playing positions during NBA draft combine test", Frontiers in Psychology 10:2359 (2019), CC BY. Converted from centimetres.
Between two published points the percentile is interpolated in a straight line and rounded to a whole number from 1 to 99; below the 5th or above the 95th the table has no points, so the page says so instead of guessing. The calculator uses the same engine as the PlyoMetricAI app. Last reviewed 20 October 2026.
Questions
What is the average vertical jump at the NFL combine?
Across 6,790 recorded jumps from 2000 to 2026 the median is 33.5 in. By position it runs from 36.0 in for cornerbacks to 28.25 in for offensive linemen.
What is the average standing vertical at the NBA draft combine?
For drafted players 2000–2018 the no-step vertical averaged 30.1 in for point guards down to 27.9 in for centers (Cui et al. 2019). The running max vertical is higher, about 32 to 36 in by position.
Is a combine vertical the same as a standing vertical?
The NFL combine vertical and the NBA no-step vertical are both jumps from standing, measured with a Vertec reach device. The NBA also tests a running max vertical, which is not used here.
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