Fastest 40-yard dash times in NFL Combine history include former Olympian and receiver drafted ahead of Mahomes

The 40-yard dash is the ultimate test of an NFL prospect’s speed.

The short sprint is the most exciting drill of the NFL Scouting Combine and the perfect opportunity for potential pros to showcase their raw pace in front of coaches, scouts and front office executives.

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The combine takes place from Thursday to Monday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, during the first major point of the 2026 NFL offseason.

There have been some blisteringly quick times over the years. But since 2013, only 15 players have run a sub-4.28 second 40-yard-dash.

Here are the quickest 40-yard dash times that this year’s budding wide receivers, cornerbacks and running backs will be looking to beat.

T9 – Jalen Myrick, CB (2017) – 4.28 seconds

T9 – J.J. Nelson, WR (2015) – 4.28 seconds

T9 – Jacoby Ford, WR (2010) – 4.28 seconds

T9 – Tyquan Thornton, WR (2022) – 4.28 seconds

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Four wide receivers have hit the 4.28 second mark in the 40-yard dash over the years, including Tyquan Thornton, who was the most recent.

The former Baylor standout actually ran an unofficial 4.21 second 40-yard dash, which would have beaten the all-time record.

However, after further review, Thornton was given a 4.28-second official time.

The 23-year-old was ultimately selected by the Patriots in the second round (50th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft.

T7 – Henry Ruggs III, WR (2020) – 4.27 seconds

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Henry Ruggs III lit up the combine in 2020 when he ran a 4.27 in the 40-yard dash.

He was drafted by the Raiders in the second round of the 2020 Draft but was released during his second season.

He was incarcerated after pleading guilty to drunk driving that led to the killing of 23-year-old and her dog.

T7 – Stanford Routt, CB (2005) – 4.27 seconds

At the 2005 NFL Scouting Combine, Routt ran the 40-yard dash in 4.27 seconds, the fastest time since the NFL started using electronic timing in 1999.

He held the record for the fastest cornerback at the NFL Combine until 2022.

Routt was selected by the Raiders in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft and played seven seasons with the franchise.

He also had short stints with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans.

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T7 – Marquise Goodwin, WR (2013) – 4.27 seconds 

Goodwin was a member of the 2012 US Olympic team and spent his collegiate career at the University of Texas.

He played football along with track and field, and was a four-time All-American in track with program records in the long jump. 

He posted a 4.27 second 40-yard dash in 2013 and was drafted by the Buffalo Bills.

He last played for the Cleveland Browns in 2023.

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T4 – Dri Archer, RB (2014) – 4.26 seconds

Dri Archer was a high-school track star who posted a 4.26 second 40-yard dash at the 2014 Combine.

He was a third-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2014 NFL Draft but found himself out of the league after two seasons.

T4 – Jerome Mathis, WR (2005) – 4.26 seconds

Jerome Mathis was a six-time state track champion in high school and posted a then-record 4.26 second 40 at the 2005 Combine.

He was selected by the Houston Texans in 2005 and was named First-team All-Pro later that year as a rookie kick returner.

Injuries blighted his career, though, forcing him out of the league several years later.

T4 – Tariq Woolen, DB (2022) – 4.26 seconds

Tariq Woolen’s 4.26 time tied for the third-best in combine history at the time, and was the fastest-ever 40-time for a player over six feet tall.

He eventually went on to be drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round and made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2022.

T4 – DJ Turner, CB (2023) – 4.26 seconds

Former Michigan CB D.J. Turner set the fastest 40 time at the 2023 NFL Combine.

Turner was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round, 60th overall, of the 2023 NFL Draft.

T3 – Rondel Menendez, WR (1999) – 4.24 seconds

1999 was the first year that electronic timing was used during the 40-yard dash.

Rondel Menendez showed out and registered a 4.24 time during the drill.

He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL Draft before bouncing around the league with the Dolphins, Colts, Commanders and Eagles.

T3 – Chris Johnson, RB (2008) – 4.24 seconds

Chris Johnson announced himself to the world in 2008 with a remarkable 4.24 in the 40-yard dash.

It was the fastest time for almost 10 years and saw him catapult up draft boards.

CJ2K was drafted by the Titans that year and became a star.

He was a Pro Bowler in each of his three seasons in the league.

Johnson also won the 2009 NFL rushing title with 2,006 yards, becoming the sixth of only nine players to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season.

2 – Kalon Barnes, CB (2022) – 4.23 seconds

Cornerback Kalon Barnes had a combine for the ages in 2022 when he registered a 4.23 in the 40-yard dash.

Barnes was a high school track champion who converted from wide receiver to defensive back in 2018.

His 40 time was the fastest recorded by a defender since 2003 and the second-fastest since electronic timing was implemented.

He was drafted in the seventh round of the 2022 Draft by the Carolina Panthers.

Barnes has bounced around various teams as a practice squad member and signed a reserve/futures contract with the Steelers in January 2024.

1. John Ross, WR (2017) – 4.22 seconds

University of Washington product John Ross etched his name into the history books in 2017 with the quickest 40-yard dash time in NFL Combine history.

Ross was already touted as one of the best wideouts in the 2017 class, having finished with 1,150 receiving yards and 19 total touchdowns during his final year in college.

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However, he surpassed expectations at the combine by posting a 4.22 time in the 40-yard dash to break Johnson’s previous record.

He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round with the ninth overall pick — ahead of Patrick Mahomes, who was selected tenth overall.

Sadly, Ross was hampered by injuries and last played in the NFL with the Eagles in 2024.

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