The NFL Combine's bench press just might be the most popular event, next to the 40-yard dash, because it measures a player's strength and stamina. In the past few years, the NFL has moved the bench press to an area with bleachers so that coaches, scouts, media and even a small group of fans can watch as prospects lift 225 pounds as many times as possible. Cheering is not only allowed, but also encouraged, as prospects motivate each other to keep pushing.
Who can improve draft stock the most: Offensive and defensive linemen
The Rules: The player lays flat on his back on the bench and places his hands at shoulder width on the barbell. The bar must touch his chest and elbows must completely straight at the top, while keeping hips on the bench. The goal is to press 225 pounds of weight as many times as possible with a spotter nearby.
Current NFL Combine record: Defensive tackle Stephen Paea, 49 reps (2011)
Here are some current Texans who put up an impressive number of reps in the bench press during their NFL Combine performance:
J.J. Watt (2011) – 34
D.J. Reader (2016) – 30
Nick Martin (2016) – 28
Max Scharping (2019) – 27
Whitney Mercilus (2012) - 27
This year's Combine Bench Press Schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, February 26: 2:30PM - 6:00PM (Tight Ends, Wide receivers, Quarterbacks)
Thursday, February 27: 6:30 PM- 6:00PM (Place Kickers, Special Teams, Offensive Linemen, Running Backs)
Friday, February 28: 6:30 PM- 6:00PM (Defensive Linemen, Linebackers)
Saturday, February 29: 3:00 PM- 6:00PM (Defensive Backs)
Check out shots of current Texans defensive players from previous NFL Combines. (Photos via AP Images)
Wisconsin defensive end JJ Watt runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 28, 2011. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Stanford defensive back Justin Reid performs in a drill at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Monday, March 5, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Wisconsin defensive end JJ Watt runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 28, 2011. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Vanderbilt linebacker Zach Cunningham runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Sunday, March 5, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Mississippi State linebacker Benardrick Mckinney runs a drill during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, February 22, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Kentucky defensive back Lonnie Johnson Jr. runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas defensive lineman Charles Omenihu runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Mississippi State linebacker Benardrick Mckinney runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Stanford linebacker Peter Kalambayi runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Ohio State defensive back Gareon Conley makes a catch as he runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Wisconsin defensive end JJ Watt runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 28, 2011. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Stanford defensive back Justin Reid runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 5, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Auburn defensive lineman Angelo Blackson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Vanderbilt linebacker Zach Cunningham catches a pass during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Sunday, March 5, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
UCLA defensive lineman Eddie Vanderdoes runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Sunday, March 5, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Stanford defensive back Justin Reid runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Monday, March 5, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Mississippi State linebacker Benardrick Mckinney runs the 40 yard dash during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, February 22, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Vanderbilt linebacker Zach Cunningham competes in the vertical jump at the 2017 NFL football scouting combine Sunday, March 5, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Clemson defensive lineman D J Reader runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Ohio State University cornerback Bradley Roby runs up the fields the at the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, on February 25, 2014. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Louisiana State defensive lineman Barkevious Mingo runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 25, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Rice defensive back Phillip Gaines runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
