NFL Analysis
9/13/24
7 min read
Ranking NFL’s 10 Fastest Wide Receivers In League Today
The NFL is loaded with receivers with elite speed. As more teams search for the next Tyreek Hill, we have seen an influx of smaller receivers with blazing speed coming out of the college ranks.
But who are the fastest receivers right now in the league? Here are our top 10 fastest receivers currently in the NFL using a combination of timed speed via the NFL’s Next Gen Stats, 40-yard dash times, and play speed:
Honorable Mentions
Curtis Samuel, WR, Buffalo Bills
Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders
Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Elijah Moore, WR, Cleveland Browns
Marquise "Hollywood" Brown, Kansas City Chiefs
10. Tre Tucker, WR, Las Vegas Raiders 
Of all the receivers on this list, Tre Tucker has the slowest 40-yard dash time (4.40). But there is no questioning his speed. Tucker was a track star in Ohio, with back-to-back state titles during his junior and senior years. His fastest 100-meter time was a confirmed 10.41, which was an Ohio record.
Tucker has been a useful NFL player for the Raiders, averaging 16.8 yards per reception. He has outstanding start-stop quickness and has developed into a starting-caliber player. Keep an eye on the former third-round pick from Cincinnati this year. He'll surely have several long receptions to show off his incredible speed.
9. Brian Thomas, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars 
It didn’t take long for Brian Thomas to make an impact in the NFL. The former LSU receiver had a strong Week 1 performance, catching four passes for 47 yards and a touchdown. He also drew multiple pass interference calls due to his outstanding speed. Thomas ran a 4.33 40-yard dash at the 2024 NFL Combine and measured in at 6-3, 209 pounds.
There just aren’t many players in the NFL right now, more than 200 pounds, who can run a sub 4.35 40-yard dash. Thomas adds speed to Jacksonville's offense, something it has desperately lacked in the last several seasons.
>> READ MORE: Week 1 Rookie Standouts
8. Christian Watson, WR, Green Bay Packers 
It’s a shame that hamstring injuries have limited Christian Watson so much during the last several years because his speed is truly unbelievable. At 6-foot-4, 208 pounds, Watson ran an incredible 4.36 40-yard dash at the 2022 NFL Combine. But that doesn’t even begin to show how fast he really is.
During his rookie season, Watson reached 21.72 mph on a 46-yard rushing touchdown, which was tied for the fourth-fastest time in the NFL that season. Whenever he is healthy, he is among the league's most dynamic players. If he stays on the field this year, the Packers should be among the league leaders in explosive plays.
7. Kavontae Turpin, WR, Dallas Cowboys 
Kavontae Turpin hardly counts as a receiver, with most of his work coming from being a returner. But he’s become a critical player for the Dallas Cowboys. In Week 1, he returned a punt for a touchdown, and his speed was fully on display.
Turpin did not run an official 40-yard dash, but he was timed at 4.31 at his TCU Pro Day. The NFL's Next Gen Stats back up that speed; he clocked in at 21.91 mph last year on a 22-yard run against the Eagles. It's fair to assume he didn't even hit top speed on that run, given it was not particularly long. Once he is in the open field, no one in the league will catch him.
The Cowboys are still trying to figure out ways to utilize Turpin's quickness on offense, and that will surely come. As of right now, he's one of the league's most dangerous return men, averaging a whopping 10.2 yards per punt return for his career.
6. Tyquan Thornton, WR, New England Patriots 
It’s been a rough start to Tyquan Thornton’s career after being a second-round pick by the Patriots in the 2022 NFL Draft. However, things have started to turn around in Year 3 as he won a starting job in the offense.
Thornton’s speed is why he was drafted so highly. At the NFL Combine, he ran a 4.28 40-yard dash. While that hasn’t necessarily translated into high-end production yet, there is no denying that he is among the fastest receivers in the NFL.
Look for Thornton to create a few big chunk plays in 2024 and finally be able to show off his world-class speed.
5. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins 
Jaylen Waddle is one of the five fastest receivers in the NFL, yet he isn’t even close to being the fastest receiver in his own offense. In fact, multiple players on the Miami roster might be faster than Waddle, which just goes to show how much the Dolphins value speed.
During the 2021 season, Waddle hit 21.8 mph on a 57-yard reception against the Panthers. He routinely outruns defensive backs, and that is why he’s averaged a whopping 16.3 yards per reception since 2022.
Waddle’s speed is undeniable, and he has turned himself into a fantastic receiver.
4. Jameson Williams, WR, Detroit Lions 
It’s really nice to see Jameson Williams succeed in Detroit after two rough seasons and start his career. The former Alabama star was one of the fastest players in the nation before tearing his ACL in the National Championship Game. While Williams never ran a 40-yard dash time due to his knee surgery, he was widely expected to run in the low 4.3s, if not in the 4.2s.
In Week 1, he hit 21.03 mph on a 36-yard reception, according to Next Gen Stats. That was among the top-five fastest times of the week, and it won’t be a surprise if he hits 22 mph at some point this season. Williams has game-breaking speed, and the Lions are just starting to find ways to unlock that part of his game.
3. DK Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks 
Most of the receivers on this list are under 6 feet and under 190 pounds. And that’s what makes DK Metcalf such a rare athlete. At 6-foot-3, 228 pounds, Metcalf recorded a 4.33 40-yard dash during the 2019 NFL Draft. However, that’s just one example of his speed.
During the 2023 season, Metcalf recorded the fastest time of any ball carrier in the NFL (22.23 mph) on a 73-yard touchdown reception. His top-end speed is unbelievable, especially at nearly 230 pounds. Metcalf is one of the rarest players in the NFL, and his athleticism is off the charts.
2. Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas City Chiefs 
You can make a strong case that Xavier Worthy should be No. 1 on this list after running the fastest 40-yard dash time (4.21) in NFL Combine history. Plus, his speed is already translating to the NFL, scoring two touchdowns in his debut.
Worthy isn’t quite as shifty as our No. 1 player on this list, but there is no denying his speed. He is a blur on the football field, and he's already creating plays after just one week. Look for the Chiefs to continue to find creative ways to use their stud receiver over the course of the 2024 season.
1. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins
There has never been a player in the NFL who has “played” faster than Tyreek Hill. His long speed, combined with his change of direction, allowed him to be one of the most dominant receivers in NFL history. Hill has made the Pro Bowl in all eight of his NFL seasons and already has more than 11,000 yards from scrimmage.
Just how useful is Hill's speed? During his eight-year NFL career, he has already scored 39 touchdowns from 40+ yards out. That is the fourth most in NFL history behind only Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, and Terrell Owens. With any luck, he could pass Moss and Owens this season.
During the 2023 season alone, Hill had four separate plays where he topped 21.5 mph, according to Next Gen Stats. In fact, he even topped 22 mph on a 64-yard reception against the Giants. There is no one like Hill in the NFL, and you can make a case that he is the fastest receiver in NFL history.
He just moves at a different speed than anyone else, and it couldn't be more impressive.
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