Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsSaturday, June 20, 2026

The fastest 40 times in NFL Draft Combine history, ranked

Will anyone be able to break the record set by John Ross?

NFL Combine
NFL Combine
Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images

With the NFL Combine taking place this week, and on-field drills beginning on Thursday, all eyes will be on a specific area of the field. 40 yards of field, to be exact.

The 40 yard dash draws all the attention at the NFL Combine, and this year will be no different. Those blades of grass between the 40 and the goal line could end up making or breaking an NFL Draft stock (whether it’s correct or not is the bigger question). Players have skyrocketed up draft boards by blazing incredibly fast 40 yard dash times, and while some of those work out (Seattle Seahawks CB Tariq Woolen comes to mind), sometimes the speed is a little misleading (John Ross, anyone?).

Players will be gunning for the record set by Ross in 2017, a 4.22 40 yard dash that put him in Combine immortality and the first round of that draft. Most of the time, people look towards the wide receivers and defensive backs to set those records or come close to breaking it. Of the top ten recorded times, eight of them played wide receiver or defensive back, so if you’re looking for a guy who can threaten the record, aim to watch the wide receivers and DBs run.

However, don’t sleep on the big guys. They might not threaten the record, but the front seven and offensive linemen will still post super impressive numbers. Last year, Philadelphia Eagles DT Jordan Davis lit the 40 yard dash on fire by running an official 4.78 40—at 341 pounds.

Not to be outdone, former Virginia Tech and current Carolina Panther EDGE Amare Barno ran the 40 yard dash in 4.39 seconds, an absurd time for a defensive linemen.

Related

So before the first guy gets lined up, here are the top 40 yard dash times in NFL Combine history.

  1. WR John Ross: 4.22 (2017)
  2. CB Kalon Barnes: 4.23 (2022)
  3. RB Chris Johnson: 4.24 (2008)
  4. WR Rondel Menedez: 4.24 (1999)
  5. RB Dri Archer: 4.26 (2014)
  6. CB Tariq Woolen: 4.26 (2022)
  7. WR Jerome Mathis: 4.26 (2005)
  8. WR Marquise Goodwin: 4.27 (2013)
  9. CB Stanford Routt: 4.27 (2005)
  10. WR Henry Ruggs III: 4.27 (2020)

More in NFL

NFL
WNFC championship game airing Sunday, June 21st from Ford Center in FriscoWNFC championship game airing Sunday, June 21st from Ford Center in Frisco
NFL

The Women’s National Football Conference Championship will air on ESPN2 this weekend.

By RJ Ochoa
From SBNationExternal Link
Which fictional quarterback would you have lead your team?Which fictional quarterback would you have lead your team?
From SBNationExternal Link
By James Dator
NFL
Best bets for 2026 NFL Offensive Rookie of the YearBest bets for 2026 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
NFL

There are some good longer-shot options on offensive side of ball for the NFL’s Rookie of the Year.

By Bill Williamson
NFL
Brendan Sorsby is a rare chance to get a top QB cheap, and these teams should go inBrendan Sorsby is a rare chance to get a top QB cheap, and these teams should go in
NFL

This is a no-brainer for some NFL teams.

By James Dator
NFL
Fernando Mendoza has great respect for the Raiders that came before himFernando Mendoza has great respect for the Raiders that came before him
NFL

Fernando Mendoza has great respect for the Raiders that came before him

By RJ Ochoa
NFL
Brendan Sorsby intends to enter NFL Supplemental Draft, per reportsBrendan Sorsby intends to enter NFL Supplemental Draft, per reports
NFL

Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby is entering the NFL Supplemental Draft, per reports

By Mark Schofield

Comments
Loading comments
Getting the conversation ready...