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10 Fastest 40-Yard Dash Times in NFL Combine History

By Larry Rupp

A look at the 10 fastest 40-yard dash times in NFL combine history.
A look at the 10 fastest 40-yard dash times in NFL combine history. / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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It's safe to say there is no shortage of speed when it comes to the 2022 NFL Draft class. This year's combine saw more players post a 40-yard dash time faster than 4.4 seconds than ever before and featured the speediest groups at six different positions since 2003. That is a lot of quick players.

The expression "speed kills" is still relevant in today's league. In fact, 11 different teams finished with 10 or more 40-yard passing plays during the 2021 season. It begs the question of whether or not these players are truly a cut above the rest.

With that being said, let's take a look at the 10 fastest 40-yard dash times in NFL combine history.

Fastest 40-Yard Dash Times

1. John Ross, WR, Washington (2017): 4.22 seconds

John Ross holds the record for the fastest 40-yard dash time.
John Ross holds the record for the fastest 40-yard dash time. / Sam Greene, The Northwestern via Imagn

2. Kalon Barnes, CB, Baylor (2022): 4.23 seconds

Kalon Barnes nearly beat the record during the 2022 NFL combine.
Kalon Barnes nearly beat the record during the 2022 NFL combine. / Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

3. Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina (2008): 4.24 seconds (Tied)

Chris Johnson owns the fastest 40-yard dash time by a running back.
Chris Johnson owns the fastest 40-yard dash time by a running back. / Sanford Myers / The Tennessean via Imagn

4. Rondel Menedez, WR, Eastern Kentucky (1999): 4.24 seconds (Tied)

5. Dri Archer, RB, Kent State (2014): 4.26 seconds (Tied)

6. Tariq Woolen, CB, UTSA (2022): 4.26 seconds (Tied)

Tariq Woolen showed some impressive speed at the 2022 NFL combine.
Tariq Woolen showed some impressive speed at the 2022 NFL combine. / GABY VELASQUEZ/ EL PASO TIMES / USA

7. Jerome Mathis, WR, Hampton (2005): 4.26 seconds (Tied)

8. Marquise Goodwin, WR, Texas (2013): 4.27 seconds (Tied)

Marquise Goodwin has become a deep threat at the NFL level.
Marquise Goodwin has become a deep threat at the NFL level. / Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

9. Stanford Routt, CB, Houston (2005): 4.27 seconds (Tied)

10. Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama (2020): 4.27 seconds (Tied)

Henry Ruggs' speed helped him get selected in the first round.
Henry Ruggs' speed helped him get selected in the first round. / Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK

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Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel. 

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