Many years ago we created a formula called ‘TEF’ to measure explosive traits in offensive linemen. It was based on stated ‘ideals’ by Tom Cable. The Seahawks wanted linemen who could jump a 31-inch vertical, a 9-0 broad and achieve 27 reps on the bench press. We combined each test to create a cumulative score to determine how explosive a prospect was.
Cable is long gone in Seattle and we no longer use it to try and work out who the Seahawks might have their eye on. However, as you’ll see below, the top offensive linemen in the NFL are predominantly explosive testers. TEF is still useful to project upside.
Here’s the formula:
1. Vertical ÷ 31
2. Broad ÷ 9, then cube the result
3. Bench ÷ 27
4. Results added together = TEF
Here’s what the ideal (31 — 9 — 27) would look like using this formula:
1. Vertical: 31 ÷ 31 = 1
2. Broad: 9 ÷ 9 = 1, cubed = 1
3. Bench: 27 ÷ 27 = 1
4. Overall score = 3.00
A prospect achieving the exact Cable ideal (31 — 9 — 27) will score a 3.00 in TEF.
In the early stages of using TEF it was incredibly accurate in determining who the Seahawks would have interest in. These days, with the outside-zone scheme set to be installed, they are more likely to focus on foot-speed and get-off. Good second-level tape and combo-blocking, a strong 10-yard split and a good short shuttle might be better indicators of interest than explosive testing. Still, that doesn’t mean they won’t be interested in explosive traits.
It is worth noting that New Orleans used their top pick (#14 overall) on Taliese Fuaga a year ago. He had an excellent zone-blocking grade and jumped a 32-inch vertical and a 9-3 broad. Without a bench press we can’t calculate a TEF score but with 33-inch arms it’s safe to assume he would’ve been an explosive tester. He did not do the short shuttle or the three-cone.
At the end of the article I’ll produce some takeaways based on the data.
TEF Results 2025
Armand Membou — 3.45
Luke Kandra — 3.42
Luke Newman — 3.26
Bryce Cabeldue — 3.25
Grey Zabel — 3.23
Nash Jones — 3.22
Jalen Travis — 3.21
Garrett Dellinger — 3.20
Donovan Jackson — 3.19
Tate Ratledge — 3.10
Logan Brown — 3.08
Jackson Slater — 3.07
Clay Webb — 3.05
Jared Wilson — 3.00
Eli Cox — 3.00
Miles Frazier — 3.00
Aireontae Ersery — 2.96
Caleb Rogers — 2.96
Josh Conerly Jr — 2.87
Jonah Savaiinaea — 2.84
Connor Colby — 2.83
Ben Scott — 2.83
Joe Huber — 2.81
Jake Majors — 2.67
Anthony Belton — 2.66
Torricelli Simpkins — 2.66
Drew Kendall — 2.64
Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan — 2.63
Charles Grant — 2.58
Joshua Gray — 2.56
Carson Vunson — 2.52
Willie Lampkin — 2.32
Tyler Booker — 2.31
Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson — 2.05
There are 16 players who scored a 3.00 or higher in this class. This continues a trend of players being more explosive in recent years. Here are the numbers for each class since we started recording TEF:
2016 — 6
2017 — 3
2018 — 7
2019 — 8
2020 — 8
2021 — No combine
2022 — 9 (projection)
2023 — 19 (projection)
2024 — 22 (projection)
2025 — 16
Weighted TEF
We also created a second calculation to account for the fact that jumping a vertical at 320lbs is more challenging than jumping a vertical at 295lbs. Thus, we created a formula (weighted TEF or wTEF) to account for weight:
Weight x TEF x 0.1
We can give each player a score that sufficiently emphasises their unique size. For example:
Germain Ifedi — 324 x 2.97 x 0.1 = 96.1
Here are the scores this year:
Armand Membou — 114.5
Luke Kandra — 109.1
Jalen Travis — 108.8
Nash Jones — 103.0
Garrett Dellinger — 102.4
Luke Newman — 101.7
Grey Zabel — 100.8
Donovan Jackson — 100.5
Bryce Cabeldue — 99.5
Aireontae Ersery — 98.0
Logan Brown — 95.8
Tate Ratledge — 95.5
Jackson Slater — 95.5
Clay Webb — 95.2
Miles Frazier — 95.1
Jared Wilson — 93.0
Caleb Rogers — 92.4
Jonah Savaiinaea — 92.0
Eli Cox — 91.8
Anthony Belton — 89.4
Josh Conerly Jr — 89.3
Connor Colby — 87.4
Joe Huber — 87.1
Ben Scott — 86.6
Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan — 86.5
Torricelli Simpkins — 83.0
Jake Majors — 81.2
Drew Kendall — 80.8
Charles Grant — 79.7
Carson Vinson — 79.1
Joshua Gray — 76.5
Tyler Booker — 75.1
Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson — 64.8
Willie Lampkin — 64.7
Incomplete data
The following players didn’t complete the full set of tests to create a TEF score. If they are one test away (eg didn’t do the bench press) I’ve taken the average of the draft class to create a projected TEF score:
Will Campbell — 3.07
Dylan Fairchild — 2.86
Wyatt Milum — 2.86
Jalen Rivers — 2.82
Kelvin Banks Jr — 2.81
Ozzy Trapilo — 2.73
Xavier Truss — 2.65
Chase Lundt — Not enough data
Marcus Mbow — Not enough data
Cam Williams — Not enough data
Jack Nelson — Not enough data
Emery Jones — Not enough data
Myles Hinton — Not enough data
Historical comparisons
As you can see below, most of the better linemen in the NFL were explosive testers. I’ve added the players who scored a 3.00 or higher within the 2025 class in bold:
Beaux Limmer — 3.68
Braden Smith — 3.52
Trey Smith — 3.49
Tristan Wirfs — 3.47
Armand Membou — 3.45
Lane Johnson — 3.44
Cole Strange — 3.42
Luke Kandra — 3.42
Rashawn Slater — 3.40
Peter Skoronski — 3.37
Bernhard Raimann — 3.37
Quinn Meinerz — 3.34
Cam Jurgens — 3.34
Zach Tom — 3.33
Drew Dalman — 3.31
Kolton Miller — 3.31
Frank Ragnow — 3.29
Luke Newman — 3.26
Creed Humphrey — 3.25
Cesar Ruiz — 3.25
Bryce Cabeldue — 3.25
Grey Zabel — 3.23
Nash Jones — 3.22
Jalen Travis — 3.21
Garrett Dellinger — 3.20
Donovan Jackson — 3.19
Chris Lindstrom — 3.18
Alijah Vera-Tucker — 3.16
Trent Williams — 3.11
Tate Ratledge — 3.10
Will Fries — 3.10
Logan Brown — 3.08
Quenton Nelson — 3.07
Jackson Slater — 3.07
Tyler Linderbaum — 3.05
Erik McCoy — 3.05
Clay Webb — 3.05
Penei Sewell — 3.04
Joe Thuney — 3.04
Joe Alt — 3.02
Elgton Jenkins — 3.01
Cody Mauch — 3.01
Garrett Bolles — 3.00
Jared Wilson — 3.00
Eli Cox — 3.00
Miles Frazier — 3.00
Ten yard splits
This data might be important to the Seahawks. The zone scheme relies on get-off and foot speed. Initial quickness over 10 yards can be seen is critical.
A word of caution though. Kyle Shanahan drafted Aaron Banks with the 48th pick to play in his zone-blocking offense. Matt LaFleur just paid him $19.25m to play in his. Banks’ 10-yard split was a 1.91 — slower than any of the names below:
Joshua Gray — 1.69
Josh Conerly Jr — 1.70
Jared Wilson — 1.71
Tate Ratledge — 1.72
Clay Webb — 1.72
Jonah Savaiinaea — 1.72
Bryce Cabeldue — 1.73
Garrett Dellinger — 1.73
Armand Membou — 1.74
Aireontae Ersery — 1.74
Will Campbell — 1.75
Eli Cox — 1.75
Logan Brown — 1.75
Chase Lundt — 1.76
Ozzy Trapilo — 1.76
Luke Newman — 1.76
Willie Lampkin — 1.76
Connor Colby — 1.77
Drew Kendall — 1.78
Jackson Slater — 1.78
Kelvin Banks Jr — 1.78
Luke Kandra — 1.78
Caleb Rogers — 1.78
Miles Frazier — 1.79
Jake Majors — 1.80
Charles Grant — 1.80
Carson Vinson — 1.80
Jalen Travis — 1.80
Joe Huber — 1.80
Branson Taylor — 1.82
Anthony Belton — 1.82
Xavier Truss — 1.82
Wyatt Milum — 1.83
Jalen Rivers — 1.85
Tyler Booker — 1.90
Notable 10-yard splits
Kolton Miller — 1.67
Lane Johnson — 1.68
Terron Armstead — 1.68
Chris Lindstrom — 1.69
Tristen Wirfs — 1.69
Joe Thuney — 1.70
Zach Tom — 1.70
Taylor Lewan — 1.71
Garrett Bolles — 1.71
Cam Jurgens — 1.71
Evan Mathis — 1.72
Trent Williams — 1.72
Eric Fisher — 1.72
Erik McCoy — 1.72
Jason Peters — 1.73
Charles Cross — 1.73
Joe Alt — 1.73
Anthony Bradford — 1.74
Short shuttles
The other test worth keeping an eye on is the short shuttle, due to it’s change of direction and ability to get up to speed quickly:
Caleb Rogers — 4.49
Drew Kendall — 4.51
Logan Brown — 4.51
Jared Wilson — 4.56
Connor Colby — 4.58
Eli Cox — 4.58
Luke Newman — 4.58
Bryce Cabeldue — 4.59
Grey Zabel — 4.60
Jake Majors — 4.62
Tyler Booker — 4.65
Joshua Gray — 4.65
Garrett Dellinger — 4.66
Kelvin Banks Jr — 4.66
Jonah Savaiinaea — 4.66
Marcus Mbow — 4.67
Wyatt Milum — 4.69
Anthony Belton — 4.69
Jackson Slater — 4.70
Ozzy Trapilo — 4.70
Willie Lampkin — 4.70
Hayden Conner — 4.72
Luke Kandra — 4.78
Joe Huber — 4.78
Aireontae Ersery — 4.82
Donovan Jackson — 4.84
Miles Frazier — 4.84
Carson Vinson — 4.85
Clay Webb — 4.90
Torricelli Simpkins — 4.90
Myles Hinton — 4.94
Jalen Travis — 4.94
Charles Grant — 4.95
Notable short shuttles
Jason Kelce — 4.14
Evan Mathis — 4.16
Nate Solder — 4.34
Nick Mangold — 4.36
Robert Gallery — 4.38
Abe Lucas — 4.40
Dominick Puni — 4.40
Eric Fisher — 4.44
Joel Bitonio — 4.44
Zach Tom — 4.47
Taylor Lewan — 4.49
Kolton Miller — 4.49
PFF zone blocking grades above 70
Charles Grant — 93.0
Willie Lampkin — 90.4
Wyatt Milum — 90.0
Chase Lundt — 88.2
Armand Membou — 87.4
Jack Nelson — 86.4
Logan Brown — 85.2
Clay Webb — 84.9
Grey Zabel —- 84.8
Cam Williams — 84.0
Kelvin Banks Jr — 81.5
Hollin Pierce — 81.5
Marcus Mbow — 81.3
Connor Colby — 81.3
Bryce Cabeldue — 81.0
Jacob Bayer — 79.8
Jared Wilson — 78.9
Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan — 77.4
Aireontae Ersery — 77.3
Dylan Fairchild — 76.6
Luke Kandra — 76.5
Will Campbell — 74.5
Josh Conerly Jr — 73.7
Donovan Jackson — 73.2
Joe Huber — 72.2
Drew Kendall — 71.8
Joshua Gray — 71.5
Garrett Dellinger — 71.4
Tate Ratledge — 71.4
Takeaways
— Will Fries, who they targeted in free agency, scored a 3.10 in TEF and a 95.8 in weighted TEF. He ran a 4.51 short-shuttle and a 1.81 10-yard split. His PFF grade for zone-blocking in 2024 was a 91.2 but that only occurred on 67 snaps before his broken leg. In 2023 his grade in zone was a 61.6 on 282 snaps. Tate Ratledge has the exact same TEF score and his weighted TEF (95.5) is very similar. Ratledge ran a far better split than Fries but didn’t run a short-shuttle. This is perhaps something to remember. I would say though, Fries’ tape in zone stood out like a sore thumb as an ideal fit for the scheme. Ratledge’s tape did not — whether that’s because of the role he played at Georgia or not.
— As one of the top explosive testers in recent history, there’s absolutely no doubt that Armand Membou will be taken very early. His combination of size, explosion and speed — not to mention an excellent zone-blocking grade — pretty much make him an ideal Seahawks pick. There’s zero chance he lasts to #18. If he lasted to #10, it might be worth considering trading up.
— Aireontae Ersery is massive (6-6, 331lbs) and on the borderline of a legit explosive tester (2.96 TEF) while running an excellent 1.74 10-yard split. Don’t be surprised if he finds a home in round one. He’s a pure tackle and has some reported small character concerns so likely won’t be on Seattle’s radar but he does have a decent zone-blocking grade.
— My top source on the draft recently told me Grey Zabel wouldn’t be a good use of a first round pick. His physical profile, however, matches those who were taken in the second half of round one. The question is — how much better do you think he is compared to, say, Bryce Cabeldue? If you don’t think there’s a massive difference you have to take that into account with your top-20 pick because you’re not finding another Malaki Starks on day three. Cabeldue has an almost identical TEF score and short shuttle time (coming out marginally on top in both). Unlike Zabel, he ran a forty and produced an excellent 1.73 split. They both grade in the 80’s for zone blocking. If this is about drafting to develop and kicking someone inside, someone other than Zabel at #18 and drafting Cabeldue later might be the better bet (and I say that as someone who really likes Zabel).
— Donovan Jackson’s explosive testing is enticing and speaks to a top-40 placing. A 4.84 short shuttle though is a frustrating counter point.
— Tyler Booker ran a 4.65 short-shuttle at his pro-day. His 10-yard split (1.90) is very similar to Aaron Banks’ (1.91). Are we totally sure he wouldn’t be a fit for Seattle’s scheme? The shuttle time adds an interesting layer to that conversation.
— Tate Ratledge has high marks for quickness and athleticism (4.97 forty, 1.72 split) and he’s also a legit explosive tester. Put this alongside his size and reputation as a strong locker room presence and it’s very easy to imagine him being a big favourite among scouts and coaches alike. He might’ve had a disjointed final year at Georgia due to injuries but his pre-draft testing process has been excellent.
— LSU’s Garrett Dellinger is one of the big surprises, managing a 3.20 TEF score and matching Kelvin Banks Jr’s short shuttle (4.66). His 10-yard split (1.73) is also intriguing. He doesn’t have a great zone-blocking grade but he has the characteristics to be a potential starter.
— Jared Wilson has an almost identical profile to Erik McCoy, who excelled for Klint Kubiak in New Orleans. He is definitely a player to keep an eye on if they want to use a pick on a center. Purely in terms of moulding a prospect for your system, he seems like the best fit. Wilson could quickly emerge as a top center in Kubiak’s scheme with this profile. The key is whether he can pick up the protection duties expected of him, which might be one of the reasons they’ve had him in for an official-30 visit.
— It’s a shame we don’t have any testing data for Chase Lundt because on tape, he looks like the ideal zone-blocking addition. There are a collection of players — Lundt, Connor Colby, Bryce Cabeldue, Clay Webb, Luke Kandra, Luke Newman, Logan Brown (and others) — who seem to fit the physical profile and grading of a good zone-blocker but will be later round picks. Are the Seahawks prepared to wait on the position? I doubt it — but it might be one high pick and one (or two) later on instead of a blitz of high O-line picks.
— If Kelvin Banks Jr isn’t an explosive tester, isn’t particularly quick and his short shuttle is in the ‘decent’ not ‘great’ category — does he have the kind of upside to be a great player? I’m not convinced.
