Fastest players ever at the combine

Atlanta Falcons

Fastest players ever at the combine

The 40-yard dash has long been used as a way to evaluate the speed of football players at the NFL Scouting Combine. (The origin comes from the average distance of a punt being 40 yards.) Before 2000, players have been clocked using a stop watch. Nowadays a laser is used to clock player times. Here are some of the best times run:

The 40-yard dash has long been used as a way to evaluate the speed of football players at the NFL Scouting Combine. (The origin comes from the average distance of a punt being 40 yards.) Before 2000, players have been clocked using a stop watch. Nowadays a laser is used to clock player times. Here are some of the best times run:

Chris Johnson (East Carolina), RB, 4.24 seconds. Johnson was drafted by the Tennessee Titans 24th overall in 2008.

Marquise Goodwin (Texas), WR, 4.27 seconds. Goodwin was the only player to post a 40 time faster than 4.3 seconds at this year's combine. Goodwin is the University of Texas record holder in the long jump.

Onterio McCalebb (Auburn), RB, 4.34 seconds. McCalebb posted the fastest time among all running backs at this year's combine.

Demarcus Van Dyke (Miami), DB, 4.28 seconds. Van Dyke was drafted in the third round (81st overall) by the Oakland Raiders in 2011.

Stanford Routt (Houston), CB, 4.29 seconds. Routt was selected in the second round (38th overall) by the Oakland Raiders

Jacoby Ford (Clemson), WR, 4.28 seconds. Ford was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round (108th overall) in 2010.

Jerome Mathis (Hampton), WR, 4.28 seconds. Mathis was drafted in the fourth round (114th overall) by the Houston Texans in 2005.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Tennessee State), CB, 4.29 seconds. Rodgers-Cromartie was drafted 16th overall by the Arizona Cardinals in 2008.

Trindon Holliday (LSU), WR, 4.29 seconds. Holliday was drafted in the sixth round (197th overall) by the Houston Texans in 2010.

Fabian Washington (Nebraska), CB, 4.29 seconds. Washington was drafted 23rd overall by the Oakland Raiders in 2005.

Among other notables times: Bo Jackson (Auburn), RB, 4.12 seconds. Still considered the fastest time clocked at the combine, Jackson was the top overall pick in 1986 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but made his mark in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders.

Deion Sanders (Florida State), CB, 4.21 seconds. Sanders was the 5th overall draft pick by the Atlanta Falcons in 1989.

Michael Vick (Virginia Tech), QB, 4.33 seconds. Vick was the first overall pick in 2001 by the Atlanta Falcons.

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The 40-yard dash has long been used as a way to evaluate the speed of football players at the NFL Scouting Combine. (The origin comes from the average distance of a punt being 40 yards.) Before 2000, players have been clocked using a stop watch. Nowadays a laser is used to clock player times. Here are some of the best times run:

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