Top 10 Fastest Players in the NFL Today

This list is based on in-game speed. Certain players have some of the fastest 40-yard dash times but aren’t as football-fast. Track speed and football speed are two different things. This list includes the top 10 fastest players in the NFL today.

10. Chris Olave

Combine Stats/Next Gen Stats: 4.39 40-yard dash time, 20.72 MPH top speed for ball carriers

I was not expecting Chris Olave to be this good. Elite speed makes the transition to the NFL that much easier. His route running is just the icing on the blazing speed cake. This is the potential offensive rookie of the year.

9. Christian Watson

Combine Stats/Next Gen Stats: 4.36 40-yard dash time, 21.72 MPH top speed for ball carriers

It’s better late than never. Christian Watson was viewed as an extremely raw prospect coming out of NDSU. This is one of the least refined rookies, but Matt LaFleur finds unique ways to get him involved. This touchdown machine displays his speed every time he touches the football. Even on an end-around, his explosiveness is something to be seen.

8. Saquon Barkley

Combine Stats/Next Gen Stats: 4.40 40-yard dash time, 21.31 MPH top speed for ball carriers

If you didn’t already know, Saquon Barkley is a freak of nature. Injuries are a mere speed bump on his route to production. He is the definition of a home run hitter as he’s always looking to make the big play. There are two different runs that clocked in the top 20 for top speed by ball carriers as per the NFL’s next gen stats. He is once again one of the top 10 best running backs in the NFL.

7. Jaire Alexander

Combine Stats/Next Gen Stats: 4.38 40-yard dash time, N/A top speed for ball carriers

Jaire Alexander pulled his groin of week 1 this season, but his return helped turn around the Green Bay Packers defense. I believe that the Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry has been misusing him this season with his off-ball coverage. I still consider him an elite cornerback today with the speed to match.

6. Jonathan Taylor

Combine Stats/Next Gen Stats: 4.39 40-yard dash time, N/A top speed for ball carriers

It was a slow start for Jonathan Taylor this season. The Colts offensive line has struggled mightily but Jonathan Taylor is now back in the conversation for the best running back in the NFL. While he hasn’t clocked a top 20 top speed for ball carriers this season, his 22.13 last season was 1st in the NFL and would be 1st in the NFL this season.

5. Jamel Dean

Combine Stats/Next Gen Stats: 4.30 40-yard dash time, N/A top speed for ball carriers

There are certain scenarios that combine studs don’t translate to the NFL, but Jamel Dean is not one of them. He has 100th percentile speed scores which puts him in the top 1% of athletes. The Bucs defense has struggled, but Jamel Dean has developed into one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL today.

4. Kenneth Walker

Combine Stats/Next Gen Stats: 4.38 40-yard dash time, 22.09 MPH top speed for ball carriers

According to the next gen stats, Kenneth Walker is the fastest running back in the NFL today. His 22.09 speed score is the fastest recorded time for any player this season. Breece Hall had the well deserved early hype, but since then Kenneth Walker has been an offensive rookie of the year candidate.

3. Jaylen Waddle

Combine Stats/Next Gen Stats: 4.37 40-yard dash time, N/A top speed for ball carriers

While Jaylen Waddle has yet to clock in the top 20 for top speed this season, his 21.8 speed from 2021 would have ranked top 3 this season. Tyreek Hill has earned the speed hype for the Dolphins, but I still consider Jaylen Waddle close behind.

2. Tariq Woolen

Combine Stats/Next Gen Stats: 4.26 40-yard dash time, 21.58 MPH top speed for ball carriers

It blows my mind that Tariq Woolen was only drafted in the 5th round of the 2022 NFL Draft. His 4.26 40 yard dash time is in the 100th percentile. It also takes a special defensive back to earn a spot on the top speed for ball carriers. On only a 40 yard interception, Tariq Woolen was running at 21.58 miles per hour with the football in his hand.

1. Tyreek Hill

Combine Stats/Next Gen Stats: 4.29 40-yard dash time*, N/A MPH top speed for ball carriers

I’m sure many of you already expected this, but I still consider Tyreek Hill the fastest player in the NFL today. Hell, I still consider him the fastest player in NFL history. He has yet to clock in the top 20 for fastest ball carriers this season, but Tua has underthrown him a few times. Also, he finds ways to burn defenders so bad that he is usually jogging his way into the endzone. When he was a full-time returner, it was pretty much a guarantee he would lead the league for the next gen top speed.

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NFL Top 10 Fastest Players in the NFL Today