The shuttle run drill is a solid test of lateral quickness, agility and the ability to change direction. Unlike the 40-yard dash, which just shows straight-line speed, the shuttle drill gives teams an indication of overall athleticism and explosiveness. Any results at 4.0 seconds or less are considered very good, with the top performers dipping into the 3.8-second range.
Some of the best runs over the years have been executed by defensive backs. San Francisco 49ers corner Carlos Rogers was moving through his shuttle run, setting a blistering pace of 3.82 seconds during the 2005 combine. Cornerback Desmond Trufant excelled in the drill 2013, finishing with a time of 3.85 seconds. That performance helped boost his draft stock and he was eventually selected in the first round. Defensive backs, wide receivers and running backs often put up the best times.