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NFL Scouting Combine 2016: Fastest 40-yard dash record

By Nathaniel Reeves

Feb 22, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive lineman Victor Beasley runs the 40-yard dash during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive lineman Victor Beasley runs the 40-yard dash during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Will anybody at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine crack the historical leaderboard for the 40-yard dash?

When the best college football athletes in the nation congregate in late February at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine, many fans will be focused on one event: the 40-yard dash.

While the NFL Scouting Combine traditionally features a number on on-field performance evaluations and measurements, the 40-yard dash seems to consistently be the most popular and exciting. Players such as Dri Archer and Marquise Goodwin have thrilled fans in recent years with times in the sub-4.3 second range.

For some positional groups, the 40-yard dash can help make or break a draft stock. Speed isn’t everything for an NFL prospect of course, but wide receivers and defensive backs, among others, can make a lot of money with a strong 40-yard time.

The NFL doesn’t keep official records for the combine, and only has a leaderboard dating back to 2006, so all numbers are unofficial. According to Wikipedia, the top 10 times ever recorded at the combine in the 40-yard dash are as follows:

1(t). Rondel Menendez, WR, 4.24, 1999.

1(t). Chris Johnson, RB, 4.24, 2008. 

3(t). Jerome Mathis, WR, 4.26, 2005.

3(t). Dri Archer, WR, 4.26, 2014.

5(t). Stanford Routt, WR, 4.27, 2005.

5(t). Marquise Goodwin, WR, 4.27 , 2013. 

7(t).  Champ Bailey, CB, 4.28, 1999.

7(t). Jacoby Ford, CB, 4.28, 2010. 

7(t). J.J. Nelson, WR, 4.28, 2015. 

7(t). DeMarcus Van Dyke, CB, 4.28, 2011. 

You may notice that none of the times on this list predate 1999, when the Scouting Combine implemented electronic timing. The previous method of hand timing was thought to have a large margin of error, so those times are not included.

Bo Jackson was timed at 4.12 in the 1986 NFL Scouting Combine in the hand timing era, according to al.com and other sources. Given how rare of an athlete Jackson was, it would not be surprising to see him electronically timed at 4.24 or better. Deion Sanders was timed at 4.27 in 1989 per Daily Press archives, and would likely have a place on this list as well.

The top 10 fastest players in the 40-yard dash were hit-and-miss in their NFL careers, showing that speed isn’t everything. Menendez suffered a knee injury just before the start of his rookie season and never recorded a reception in the NFL. Johnson turned his speed into a good NFL career, while Bailey will be headed to the Hall of Fame in a few years.

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