Analysis
2/24/23
3 min read
2023 NFL Draft: Predicting the 5 Fastest Players at NFL Combine
The NFL's Scouting Combine begins on Feb. 27 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, with the first day of on-field drills beginning on March 2. I set the record for the 40-yard dash there in 2008 (with a 4.24) before John Ross (4.22) broke it in 2017.
Let's take a look at some of the players who have a chance to be the fastest players at this year's event.
2023 NFL Scouting Combine: Workout Schedules | Participant List
Predicting Combine's 5 Fastest Players
Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M
2022 Stats: Rush Yds: 1,102 | Att: 196 | Avg: 5.6 | Rush TDs: 8 | Receptions: 36 | Rec TDs: 3
I think Devon Achane will blaze the 40. He won a track meet last April by running a 10.12-second 100-meter dash at the SEC Championship. He has a good chance to run in the 4.2s at the combine.
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Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
2022 Stats: Receptions: 67 | Yds: 1,267 | Avg: 18.9 | TDs: 15
Jalin Hyatt (scouting report) had a breakout season in Tennessee's prolific offense. He was their main deep threat; routinely burning defenders and getting behind safeties. Everybody saw the type of games Hyatt had this year (207 yards vs. Alabama, 146 yards vs. Missouri). But he has a chance to be one of the fastest players in Indianapolis.
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Tyler Scott, WR, Cincinnati
2022 Stats: Receptions: 54 | Yds: 899 | Avg: 16.6 | TDs: 9
Tyler Scott ran a 4.2 40 as a freshman at Cincinnati, and now he's coming out in the 2023 NFL Draft. He was a big-play machine at Cincinnati this past year, scoring three touchdowns of 60-plus yards.
Keaton Mitchell, RB, ECU
2022 Stats: Rush Yds: 1,452 | Att: 201 | Avg: 7.2 | Rush TDs: 14 | Receptions: 27 | Rec TDs: 1
Keaton Mitchell is my underdog pick to be one of the fastest players at the combine. I've had the pleasure of watching him his full career at East Carolina and he is a true burner. In Week 2 of this college football season, Mitchell scored on an 80-yard touchdown run over Old Dominion where he hit 22.6 mph. He also ran a 10.99 100-meter dash and 22.42 200-meter dash while a member of the track team at Eagle's Landing Christian High School.
Darius Rush, CB, South Carolina
2022 Stats: Tackles: 38 | FF: 1 | INTs: 2 | Passes Defended: 7
Darius Rush was the fastest player at the Senior Bowl, recording a speed of 21.65 mph. This was no small feat with other speedsters like Nebraska WR Trey Palmer, Cincinnati WR Tre Tucker, and Houston WR Tank Dell all sharing the same field. Rush has a good chance to repeat that performance by besting many of them in the 40-yard dash.
Chris Johnson is a former All-Pro NFL running back who won Offensive Player of the Year with the Tennessee Titans in 2009. He set the NFL Combine record for the fastest 40-yard dash in 2008. You can follow him on Twitter @ChrisJohnson28.