7 fastest 40-yard dash time in the NFL Combine
Here are the seven fastest NFL 40-yard dash timings over the years.
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Fastest 40-yard dash time in the NFL Combine history (via FS)
Ever since the Indianapolis-based National Football Scouting conducted its first National Invitational Camp in Tampa, Florida, in 1982, it has helped bring all the top college prospects to one place to test their physical abilities. The NFL combine is filled with events like the broad jump, vertical jump, etc. that help the teams to scout the prospects for their respective teams.
One of those athletic events is the 40-yard dash, which determines the speed of an athlete. The 40-yard dash has always been the focal point of the NFL combine since it is one of the fun events in the league.
It does not tell the whole story of how the player would perform on the field with helmets and pads on and might not transform into a sure-shot draft prospect. However, it is still a great way to evaluate players on their speed ahead of the NFL Draft. Today we take a look at the 7 fastest 40-yard dash time in the NFL Combine history as Xavier Worthy has shattered all records this year.
7. Dri Archer (4.26 seconds)
One of the two running backs on this list is Dri Archer, who ran a 4.26 40-yard dash in the 2014 NFL Combine. The Pittsburgh Steelers were impressed with his speed and picked him in the 2014 NFL Draft with their third-round pick.
However, the Kent State product turned out to be one of the worst draft picks by the franchise, as he never made it on the big stage. He just played one season with the Steelers and saw his way out.
6. DJ Turner (4.26 seconds)
DJ Turner made his way into the NFL after playing collegiate football for the Michigan Wolverines. In the 2023 NFL Draft Combine, Turner recorded a 40-yard dash time of only 4.26 seconds, which is the sixth fastest record in Combine history.
The Cincinnati Bengals selected DJ Turner in the second round of the 2023 Draft and he has since played cornerback for the franchise.
5. Rondel Melendez (4.24 seconds)
Wide receiver Rondel Melendez ran 40 yards in just 4.24 seconds at the 1999 NFL Combine. However, he didn’t impress many scouts as he was picked by the Atlanta Falcons in the seventh round of the 1999 draft.
Injury turned out to be the greatest setback in his career and he never really made it big for his team. Melendez has already retired from professional football.
4. Chris Johnson (4.24 seconds)
The explosive running back Chris Johnson ran a 4.24 at the 40-yard dash in the 2008 NFL Combine, a record that year. He was picked up by the Tennessee Titans, due to their draft stock that season, with the 24th overall pick in the draft. Johnson went on to have a stellar career in the NFL, gaining 3 Pro Bowl nods.
His rookie season also saw him getting included on the PFWA All-Rookie Team. Speak of dash times finally justifying a college football player’s career.
3. Kalon Barnes (4.23 seconds)
Defensive back Kalon Barnes shocked the league by recording a 40-yard dash time of 4.23 at the 2022 NFL Combine. He was touted to be top draft pick initially due to dash time performance.
However, it didn’t affect the cornerback’s draft since he was selected by the Carolina Panthers with their 242nd overall pick in the draft.
2. John Ross (4.22 seconds)
WR John Ross holds the record for the second fastest 40-yard dash at the 2017 NFL Combine. He ran the 40-yard dash event in just 4.22 seconds. In fact, he was the record holder of the fastest dah-time in combine history until Xavier Worthy broke his record this year.
Due to his impressive combine, Ross was selected as the 9th overall pick in the Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. This offensive player last signed for the Kansas City Chiefs.
1. Xavier Worthy (4.21 seconds)
Texas Longhorns wide receiver Xavier Worthy has just smashed all previous records for the fastest 40-yard dash time in NFL combine history. The 20-year-old has proved himself as the ultimate speedster in this year’s draft class and is now highly anticipated to be a first-round pick.
Prior to the Combine, Worthy had expressed his wish to complete his 40-yard dash within 4.2 seconds. The talented WR has surely raised the bar high for future NFL draft picks with his new record of 4.21 seconds, an unprecedented feat in league combine history. Remains to be seen which franchise jumps for the 20-year-old speedster.
FAQs
Xavier Worthy has the fastest 4-yard dash in NFL Combine history.
Xavier Worthy recorded a dash-time of 4.21 seconds in the 2024 Draft Combine.
DJ Turner recorded a dash time of 4.26 seconds in 2023.
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Aravind Raj
(2075 Articles Published)