NFL Analysis
11/1/24
7 min read
Ranking NFL's 10 Fastest Players In League Today
The NFL is only getting faster and faster. We saw some record-breaking times during the 2024 NFL Combine, and several rookies have hit unreal top speeds. We've even seen some older players hit career highs this season.
But who are the fastest players in the NFL right now? Here are our the top 10 fastest players in the NFL using a combination of timed speed via the NFL’s Next Gen Stats, 40-yard dash times, and play speed:
Ranking NFL's Fastest Players
Honorable Mentions:
Kenneth Walker, RB, Seattle Seahawks
Ka'Vontae Turpin, WR/KR, Dallas Cowboys
Kyler Murray, QB, Arizona Cardinals
Christian Watson, WR, Green Bay Packers
Raheem Mostert, RB, Miami Dolphins
Tyquan Thornton, WR, New England Patriots
10. Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens 
There are certainly players in the NFL with faster 40-yard dash times than Derrick Henry. Some players are quicker and have better 0-10-yard speed than Henry. But in the open field, he is nearly unstoppable.
It’s a big reason why he’s managed to be so productive this year. Henry has 15 career touchdowns of 40 or more yards, and it seems like he breaks off a 40+ yard run nearly every week.
According to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats, Henry already has three runs this year where he hit at least 21.2 mph. In fact, he has three of the fastest 17 plays this year as a ball carrier, with his fastest being a 21.7 mph run on an 81-yard rush against Tampa Bay just a few weeks ago.
Even at age 30, Henry remains one of the fastest players in the NFL.
9. Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
You can certainly make the argument that Saquon Barkley is still the fastest running back in the league. Playing with the Eagles has allowed him to show off that speed more frequently, resulting in several massive runs.
One of the most impressive runs of the season was a 55-yard run against the Giants, where Barkley reached a top speed of 21.93 mph. That is the fastest time he’s posted since the NFL started tracking top speeds in 2019.
Barkley was an incredible athlete coming out of Penn State, and we saw that during his rookie season. Several lower-body injuries have zapped him of some of that athleticism, but he remains one of the most explosive players in the NFL.
8. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins
Jaylen Waddle is inarguably one of the fastest players in the league, and there is no doubt that he belongs on this list. But he isn’t even the fastest player on his own team. In fact, he might not even be second. Waddle did not run a 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine due to a leg injury, but there is no denying his speed.
Waddle hit 21.8 mph on a 57-yard reception against the Panthers and has hit a top speed of 21 mph on several other occasions throughout his NFL career. And with Tua Tagovailoa back in the lineup for the Dolphins, expect plenty more big plays for the former Alabama star.
7. Jameson Williams, WR, Detroit Lions
It's been a wild and strange ride for Jameson Williams so far in his NFL career, but there is no denying his speed or the impact that he can make for the Lions when he is on the field.
Williams did not run a 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine due to a knee injury, but he is one of the most explosive receivers in the league. That's why he is averaging more than 21 yards per catch this season and more than 18 yards per reception for his NFL career. Here's hoping he can stay on the field.
6. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
There might not be a more fun player in the NFL than Jahmyr Gibbs. He is in the perfect situation, and it allows Gibbs to put up some big numbers and make splash plays.
Just last week, Gibbs reached a top speed of 22.03 mph on a 70-yard touchdown against the Tennessee Titans.
Gibbs doesn’t have the timed speed (40-yard dash) of some of the other players on this list, but his on-field speed is unreal. Get him in the open field and watch out because there might not be a more dynamic runner in the league than Gibbs.
5. Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
There are two rookies on this list, and both come from the wide receiver position. Brian Thomas Jr. has been a revelation for the Jaguars this season and already looks like a No. 1 receiver. Xavier Worthy stole the show at the NFL Combine, but Thomas running a 4.33 40-yard dash at 210 pounds remains incredibly impressive.
Through the first eight weeks of the season, Thomas has the fastest recorded speed via the NFL’s Next Gen Stats with a time of 22.15 mph on an 85-yard touchdown reception. His speed is silly, and there is no telling how good he could be in the NFL.
4. De’Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins
It’s been a while since we’ve had a true track star at the running back position, but that’s exactly what De’Von Achane is. Achane has the fourth-fastest 200-meter dash time (20.20) in Texas A&M track history, and his 4.32 speed at the NFL Combine is among the fastest ever at the running back position.
Achane doesn’t just have track speed. He displays it on the field, too, hitting at least 21.76 mph twice on runs during the 2023 season. He hasn’t had a chance to show off that speed as much during the 2024 season, but he remains one of the fastest players in the league and a real difference-maker for the Dolphins.
3. DK Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks
There might not be a freakier receiver in the NFL than DK Metcalf. At nearly 230 pounds, Metcalf ran a blazing 4.33 40-yard dash during the 2019 NFL Combine. That is the fastest time in NFL history for a player over 220 pounds.
Yet, that doesn’t even begin to describe his on-field speed. During the 2023 season, Metcalf hit 22.23 mph on this 73-yard touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys:
His build-up speed, on top of his overwhelming size, makes him one of the league’s most dynamic players. Even in Year 6, Metcalf shows no signs of slowing down.
2. Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Yes, the fastest player in the history of the NFL Combine finishes No. 2 on our list. You can obviously make a case that he should be at No. 1 after running a 4.21 40-yard dash. Xavier Worthy has already hit 21.5 mph on a 54-yard touchdown reception against the Chargers earlier this year, and he’s been close to hitting a few more big plays.
He’s still learning how to become an NFL receiver, but there is no denying that his historic combine speed is already translating to on-field production. Once he figures out the nuances of the position, Worthy is going to become one of the most valuable receivers in the league because of his game-breaking speed and acceleration.
1. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins
We couldn’t rank the 10 fastest players in the NFL without having Tyreek Hill at No. 1. Hill has been one of the NFL’s fastest ball carriers for nearly a decade, and he doesn’t seem to be slowing down at all. What makes Hill unique is that his stop-start quickness and agility are unmatched, and he can change directions without losing speed.
Even at age 30, his speed remains the best in the league, and he’s a threat to score anytime he touches the ball. According to Pro Football Reference, Hill has 22 touchdowns in his career of at least 50 yards. That is seventh-most of all-time, and it's not unreasonable to think that he could catch Jerry Rice (36) at some point.
Given all of his production throughout his career, Hill is a Hall of Fame lock and arguably the best "speed" receiver in NFL history. With Tua Tagovailoa returning to the lineup for the Dolphins, don't be surprised if we see several more long touchdowns over the next few months.
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