The 40-yard dash. It’s likely the NFL Combine drill that fans are most familiar with, and it’s certainly the one that gets the most publicity. Fans want to know: Will the record be broken this year? Is running back X or wide receiver Y as fast as advertised? Which athletic phenom will separate themselves from the pack?
Today, we’re breaking down when players from each position group are set to lace up their cleats and blaze across the field at Lucas Oil Stadium.
When Will Players Run the 40-Yard Dash at the 2023 NFL Combine?
The NFL Combine schedule is separated by position groups. Each day of the week, athletes at each position will take part in a variety of different activities, including medical exams, interviews, on-field workouts, and measurements. As such, different players will run the 40-yard dash on different days.
On-field workouts, including the 40-yard dash, will take place on Thursday, March 2 (defensive linemen and linebackers), Friday, March 3 (defensive backs and specialists), Saturday, March 4 (quarterbacks, wide receivers, and tight ends), and Sunday, March 5 (offensive linemen and running backs).
Live coverage of the Combine will be airing on NFL Network beginning at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday and Friday and at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday and Sunday.
Who Recorded the Fastest 40-Yard Dash Time in NFL History?
The fastest 40-yard dash time ever recorded at the NFL Combine, 4.22 seconds, was achieved by wide receiver John Ross, the ninth-overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Ross was one of the draft’s hottest prospects even before the Combine following a stellar final season at the University of Washington, though his electric 40-time certainly helped his draft stock.
Unfortunately, for both Ross and the Cincinnati Bengals, who selected him in the draft, the speedster’s collegiate success and wicked 40-time didn’t translate to NFL production. Due to a combination of injuries, Ross appeared in just three games in his rookie season and failed to haul in either of his measly two targets.
MORE: NFL Combine Records
Ross’ peak came in 2019, when he snagged 28 of 56 targets for 506 yards and three scores. After another injury-plagued campaign in 2020, Ross wasn’t retained by Cincinnati, and he latched on with the New York Giants the following year. He didn’t record a single snap with an NFL team in 2022 and is currently with the Kansas City Chiefs.
The next-fastest times ever recorded were achieved by CB Kalon Barnes (4.23) in 2022, WR Rondel Menendez (4.24) in 1999, and RB Chris Johnson (4.24) in 2008. Johnson went on to become one of the most productive running backs of his generation, as he amassed a whopping 2,006 rushing yards in his sophomore season, earning him the moniker “CJ2K.”