Fastest 40-yard Dash Times in NFL Combine History

The 40-yard dash is the featured attraction at the NFL Combine.

Beginning March 2nd, the Philadelphia Eagles, their leadership structure, coaches, and scouts will converge on Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana to watch draft prospects do everything they can to impress them with decent workouts at the NFL Combine where we’ll, no doubt, feast our eyes on one of the highlights of the event, the 40-yard dash.

Players rarely run in a straight line for 40 yards in football, but this is one of those events that helps teams evaluate the speed and acceleration of the former college football stars.

Having the fastest time at the scouting combine doesn’t guarantee the player will get drafted in the first round (or have success), but let’s be honest. We all love speed, and a nice showing could raise a prospect’s draft stock … or lower it if he has a disappointing showing.

Only seven of the 24 prospects with the fastest 40-yard dash times have been drafted in the first round.

The most famous name of those 24 players belongs to Champ Bailey, who ran a 4.28-second 40 during the 1999 NFL Draft Combine. He went on to have a Hall of Fame career with the Washington Commanders ( Redskins), Denver Broncos, and New Orleans Saints.

One of the players owning one of the ten fastest 40 times has won an NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award. Three others have earned a trip to the Pro Bowl, and three more have been named to the Pro Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie Team.

Let’s look at the ten fastest showings ever seen at the NFL Scouting Combine.