Fastest Player on Every NFL Team

Speed wins in football. And it starts with 40-yard dash times.

Football purists will wax poetic all day about what makes a great player. They’ll tell you about this mythical mix of talent, toughness, strength and determination that churns out Hall of Famers. In the end, it’s something much more concrete. It’s speed. And if you don’t have any of it, you’re not going to go very far.

Nowhere is more of a premium put on speed than at the NFL scouting combine, where 40-yard dash times have been pored over and examined as an indicator of future NFL success. And usually, it’s pretty spot on.

These are the fastest players on every NFL team, based on recorded 40-yard dash times.

Arizona Cardinals: Patrick Peterson (Tied)

Patrick Peterson is a four-time NFL All-Pro. L.G. Patterson / AP Photo

Note: All 40-yard dash times are from Pro Football Reference unless otherwise indicated, and all players were on rosters as of Oct. 5, 2020.

High school: Blanche Ely High School (Pompano Beach, Florida)

College: LSU

Position: Cornerback

40-yard dash time (year): 4.31 seconds (2011)

Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 203 pounds

NFL career: 10 seasons (2011-present)

Team: Arizona Cardinals

Career highlights: Four-time NFL All-Pro (2011, 2013, 2015, 2018), eight-time Pro Bowl (2011-18), NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, two-time FBS All-American (2009, 2010), Bednarik Award winner (2010), Thorpe Award winner (2010)

Bottom line: One decade into his NFL story, Patrick Peterson’s career has been a dizzying blur of highlight-reel plays — just not with the wins to match.

Peterson, along with former college and pro teammate Tyran Mathieu, seemingly kept the Cardinals competitive on their own for years.

Arizona Cardinals: Andy Isabella (Tied)

Andy Isabella, left, was an FCS All-American at UMass. Rick Scuteri / AP Photo

High school: Mayfield High School (Mayfield, Ohio)

College: UMass

Position: Wide receiver

40-yard dash time (year): 4.31 seconds (2019)

Height/weight: 5-foot-9, 188 pounds

NFL career: 2 seasons (2019-present)

Teams: Arizona Cardinals

Career highlights: FCS All-American (2018), Biletnikoff Award finalist (2018)

Bottom line: You can’t help but cheer for a player like Adam Isabella. He somehow played his way into a second-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft out of UMass at just 5-foot-9 and 188 pounds.

All praise should go to the analytics department for Arizona. When you’re as fast as Isabella and can jump as high as he can, who cares how tall you are?

Atlanta Falcons: Julio Jones

Julio Jones has been one of the NFL’s dominant receivers since entering the league in 2011. David Richard / AP Photo

High school: Foley High School (Foley, Alabama)

College: Alabama

Position: Wide receiver

40-yard dash time (year): 4.34 second (2011)

Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 220 pounds

NFL career: 10 seasons (2011-present)

Teams: Atlanta Falcons

Career highlights: Five-time NFL All-Pro (2015-19), seven-time Pro Bowl (2012, 2014-19), NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, BCS national champion (2009), SEC Freshman of the Year (2008)

Bottom line: Julio Jones is perhaps the dominant receiver of his generation. Just ask opposing players, who have to deal with his scary combination of size, speed and athleticism.

We knew Jones was something special the first time we ever saw him snagging passes out of the air for Alabama, and a decade in the NFL has reinforced that.

Baltimore Ravens: Robert Griffin III

Robert Griffin III won the Heisman Trophy at Baylor in 2011. Nick Wass / AP Photo

High school: Copperas Cove High School (Copperas Cove, Texas)

College: Baylor

Position: Quarterback

40-yard dash time (year): 4.33 seconds (2012)

Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 213 pounds

NFL career: 9 seasons (2012-present)

Teams: Washington Redskins (2012-15), Cleveland Browns (2016), Baltimore Ravens (2018-present)

Career highlights: NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (2012), Pro Bowl (2012), Heisman Trophy winner (2011), FBS All-American (2011)

Bottom line: Robert Griffin III was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft out of Baylor and seemed destined to be an NFL star after his first few seasons in the league — in no small part thanks to his world-class speed.

Injuries derailed Griffin’s career as a starter, but he pivoted and became one of the league’s most reliable, respected backups.

Buffalo Bills: Taiwan Jones

Taiwan Jones helped lead Eastern Washington to the 2010 FCS national title. Doug Murray / AP Photo

High school: Deer Valley High School (Antioch, California)

College: Eastern Washington

Position: Running back/return specialist

40-yard dash time (year): 4.33 seconds (2011)

Height/weight: 6-foot, 195 pounds

NFL career: 10 seasons (2011-present)

Teams: Oakland Raiders (2011-16), Buffalo Bills (2017-18, 2020-present), Houston Texans (2019)

Career highlights: Pro Football Writers Association All-AFC (2015), Big Sky Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Year (2010), FCS All-American (2010)

Bottom line: Taiwan Jones ran a blazing 4.33 seconds 40-yard dash time before the 2011 NFL draft. That speed helped him get into the league and carve out a decade-long career.

It also helped Jones lead Eastern Washington to the 2010 FCS national championship, including 230 rushing yards in a quarterfinal win over North Dakota State. With a broken foot.

Carolina Panthers: Curtis Samuel

Curtis Samuel is the only player in Ohio State history with 1,000 career rushing yards and 1,000 career receiving yards. Brian Blanco / AP Photo

High school: Erasmus Hall High School (Brooklyn, New York)

College: Ohio State

Position: Wide receiver

40-yard dash time (year): 4.31 seconds (2017)

Height/weight: 5-foot-11. 195 pounds

NFL career: 4 seasons (2017-present)

Teams: Carolina Panthers

Career highlights: CFP national champion (2015), Big Ten champion (2014), Sporting News All-American (2016), All-Big Ten (2016)

Bottom line: How talented is Curtis Samuel? In Ohio State history, he’s the only player to record over 1,000 career rushing and 1,000 career receiving yards.

Samuel finally found his footing in the NFL in 2019, when he played all 16 games after struggling with injuries through his first two seasons. He finished with 752 total yards and a career-high seven touchdowns.

Cincinnati Bengals: John Ross

John Ross set the NFL scouting combine record by running the 40-yard dash in 4.22 seconds. Bryan Woolston / AP Photo

High school: Jordan High School (Long Beach, California)

College: Washington

Position: Wide receiver

40-yard dash time (year): 4.22 seconds (2017)

Height/weight: 5-foot-11, 194 pounds

NFL career: 4 seasons (2017-present)

Teams: Cincinnati Bengals

Career highlights: Pac-12 Player of the Year (2016), All-Pac 12 (2016)

Bottom line: There are just a few rare, speedy unicorns like John Ross, who ran a laser-timed 40-yard dash in a record 4.22 seconds in 2017, breaking Chris Johnson’s record of 4.24 seconds.

Ross’ on-field production has been hampered by injuries throughout his career and likely will be a free agent in 2021.

Chicago Bears: Buster Skrine

Buster Skrine played for Tennessee-Chattanooga before making it to the NFL. Danny Karnik / AP Photo

High school: Etowah High School (Woodstock, Georgia)

College: Tennessee-Chattanooga

Position: Cornerback

40-yard dash time (year): 4.37 seconds (2011)

Height/weight: 5-foot-9, 185 pounds

NFL career: 10 seasons (2011-present)

Teams: Cleveland Browns (2011-14), New York Jets (2015-18), Chicago Bears (2019-present)

Career highlights: All-Southern Conference (2009, 2010)

Bottom line: Buster Skrine has crafted an unlikely NFL career. He’s only 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds and was a fifth-round draft pick out of FCS Tennessee-Chattanooga in 2011.

Skrine’s speed and ability to stand out on special teams and be a serviceable cornerback are the reason he’s still in the league and has banked over $30 million in career earnings to date.

Cleveland Browns: Denzel Ward

Denzel Ward’s rookie contract with the Cleveland Browns in 2018 included almost $20 million in guaranteed money. David Richard / AP Photo

High school: Nordonia High School (Macedonia, Ohio)

College: Ohio State

Position: Cornerback

40-yard dash time (year): 4.32 seconds (2018)

Height/weight: 5-foot-11, 190 pounds

NFL career: 3 seasons (2018-present)

Teams: Cleveland Browns

Career highlights: Pro Bowl (2018), Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie Team (2018), FBS All-American (2017), All-Big Ten (2017)

Bottom line: Denzel Ward played high school and college football in Ohio and now plays pro football there as well, making a Pro Bowl for the Cleveland Browns in his rookie season.

The Browns made a huge investment in Ward after making him the No. 4 overall pick in 2018 with a four-year, $29.6 million contract that included almost $20 million guaranteed.

It’s paying off.

Dallas Cowboys: Anthony Brown

Anthony Brown was an All-Big Ten cornerback at Purdue. Roger Steinman / AP Photo

High school: Hillsborough High School (Tampa, Florida)

College: Purdue

Position: Cornerback

40-yard dash time (year): 4.33 seconds (2016)

Height/weight: 5-foot-11, 195 pounds

NFL career: 5 seasons (2016-present)

Teams: Dallas Cowboys

Career highlights: All-Big Ten (2015), East/West Shrine Game (2016)

Bottom line: Anthony Brown was a longshot to make the Cowboys roster after being a sixth-round pick in 2016, but he’s hung around for five seasons as a special teams player, backup cornerback and nickel back.

Elite speed is what keeps Brown on the team, as evidenced by his 4.33-second 40 time before the draft.

Denver Broncos: Phillip Lindsay

Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay made the team as an undrafted free agent. Peter Joneleit / AP Photo

High school: South High School (Denver, Colorado)

College: Colorado

Position: Running back

40-yard dash time (year): 4.39 seconds (2018)

Height/weight: 5-foot-8, 190 pounds

NFL career: 3 seasons (2018-present)

Teams: Denver Broncos

Career highlights: Pro Bowl (2018), Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie Team (2018), All-Pac-12 (2016)

Bottom line: It’s not hard to see the reason why Phillip Lindsay went undrafted despite setting career records for all-purpose yards and total yards from scrimmage at the University of Colorado. He’s only 5-foot-8.

Lindsay, a Denver native, surprised some by making the Broncos’ roster in 2018 and surprised everyone by becoming the first undrafted rookie to make the Pro Bowl the same season.

Detroit Lions: Adrian Peterson

Adrian Peterson is one of the greatest running backs in NFL history. Jennifer Stewart / AP Photo

High school: Palestine High School (Palestine, Texas)

College: Oklahoma

Position: Running back

40-yard dash time (year): 4.40 seconds (2007)

Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 220 pounds

NFL career: 14 seasons (2007-present)

Teams: Minnesota Vikings (2007-16), New Orleans Saints (2017), Arizona Cardinals (2017), Washington Redskins (2018-19), Detroit Lions (2020-present)

Career highlights: NFL Most Valuable Player (2012), NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2012), seven-time NFL All-Pro (2007-10, 2012, 2013, 2015), seven-time Pro Bowl (2007-10, 2012, 2013, 2015), NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (2007)

Bottom line: Adrian Peterson isn’t just one of several likely Hall of Famers on this list. He’s as sure of a first-ballot lock as you’ll find.

The three-time NFL rushing yards champion and two-time NFL rushing touchdowns leader was simply uncatchable in his prime once he got into the open field.

Few running backs in the history of the NFL have been this big, strong, talented and fast.

Green Bay Packers: Darnell Savage

Donald Savage was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2019. Matt Ludtke / AP Photo

High school: Caravel Academy (Bear, Delaware)

College: Maryland

Position: Safety

40-yard dash time (year): 4.36 seconds (2019)

Height/weight: 5-foot-11, 198 pounds

NFL career: 2 seasons (2019-present)

Teams: Green Bay Packers

Career highlights: Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie Team (2019), All-Big Ten (2018)

Bottom line: Darnell Savage was the Packers’ No. 21 overall pick in 2019 and delivered right away as a rookie, making 14 starts and racking up 71 tackles, five pass deflections and two interceptions.

Savage went under the radar somewhat in college after a high school injury took him off the board for some elite Power Five schools, and he ended up at Maryland.

It will be tough to overlook him in the NFL.

Houston Texans: Will Fuller

Injuries have dogged Will Fuller throughout his NFL career . David J. Phillip / AP Photo

High school: Roman Catholic High School (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

College: Notre Dame

Position: Wide receiver

40-yard dash time (year): 4.32 seconds (2018)

Height/weight: 6-foot, 184 pounds

NFL career: 3 seasons (2018-present)

Teams: Houston Texans

Career highlights: FBS All-American (2014, 2015)

Bottom line: Injuries have been a big problem for former Notre Dame star Will Fuller throughout his NFL career.

Despite that, he’s still put up pretty decent numbers while playing just 10 games in 2017, seven games in 2018 and 11 games in 2019.

After the Texans traded DeAndre Hopkins to the Cardinals before the 2020 season, Fuller’s role as No. 1 receiver for the team will be a big ask.

Indianapolis Colts: Parris Campbell

Parris Campbell is another NFL player from Ohio State who is really, really fast. Gary McCullough / AP Photo

High school: St. Vincent-St. Mary High School (Akron, Ohio)

College: Ohio State

Position: Wide receiver

40-yard dash time (year): 4.31 seconds (2019)

Height/weight: 6-foot, 205 pounds

NFL career: 2 seasons (2019-present)

Teams: Indianapolis Colts

Career highlights: Three-time All-Big Ten (2016-18), CFP national champion (2015), two-time Big Ten champion (2017, 2018)

Bottom line: If you start to sense a theme between players on this list, that’s understandable — four of them are from Ohio State.

Parris Campbell was a three-time All-Big Ten pick for the Buckeyes but has been held back by injuries in the NFL.

He only played seven games in 2019 and two games in 2020 before he was sidelined with a knee injury.

Kansas City Chiefs: Tyreek Hill

Tyreek Hill is one of the fastest players in NFL history. Chris O’Meara / AP Photo

High school: Coffee High School (Douglas, Georgia)

College: West Alabama

Position: Wide receiver/return specialist

40-yard dash time (year): 4.29 seconds (2016)

Height/weight: 5-foot-10, 185 pounds

NFL career: 5 seasons (2016-present)

Teams: Kansas City Chiefs

Career highlights: Super Bowl champion (2020), three-time NFL All-Pro (2016, 2018, 2018), four-time Pro Bowl (2016-19), Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie Team (2016), NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year (2014)

Bottom line: There are few players comparable to Tyreek Hill when it comes to speed. Not just in today’s game but in the history of the NFL.

Hill ran a blazing 4.29-second 40-yard dash at NCAA Division II West Alabama’s Pro Day. He was kicked out of Oklahoma State in 2015 after a domestic abuse arrest and didn’t get invited to the NFL scouting combine in 2016.

He’s made the most of his NFL opportunity with the Chiefs and isn’t finished yet.

Los Angeles Chargers: Michael Davis

Michael Davis made the Chargers as an undrafted free agent out of BYU. Kyusung Gong / AP Photo

High school: Glendale High School (Glendale, California)

College: BYU

Position: Cornerback

40-yard dash time (year): 4.34 seconds (2017)

Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 200 pounds

NFL career: 4 seasons (2017-present)

Teams: Los Angeles Chargers

Career highlights: All-CIF (2013)

Bottom line: Michael Davis’ speed and athleticism have kept him in the NFL after he struggled throughout his career at BYU, even losing his starting spot for a stretch during his senior season.

Undrafted in 2017, Davis’ 4.34-second 40 time helped him land with the Chargers as a free agent and stick around for four years.

The team signed him to a one-year, $3.259 million contract for the 2020 season.

Los Angeles Rams: Van Jefferson

Van Jefferson’s father, Shawn Jefferson, was also an NFL wide receiver. Kyusung Gong / AP Photo

High school: Ravenwood High School (Brentwood, Tennessee)

College: Florida

Position: Wide receiver

40-yard dash time (year): 4.37 seconds (2020, estimate)

Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 200 pounds

NFL career: 1 season (2020-present)

Teams: Los Angeles Rams

Career highlights: Senior Bowl (2020), Preseason All-SEC (2017), Athlon Freshman All-American (2016), Athlon All-SEC (2016)

Bottom line: Van Jefferson is a second-generation NFL wide receiver. He’s the son of current New York Jets receivers coach Shawn Jefferson, who played in the NFL from 1991 to 2003.

We had to fudge a little to get Jefferson on the list because he never actually ran a 40 at the combine or Pro Day because of a foot fracture, but we did some calculations thanks to his top speed numbers recorded at the Senior Bowl.

Take our word that he’s really, really fast.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Chris Conley

Chris Conley set the NFL scouting combine record with a 45-inch vertical leap. Phelan M. Ebenhack / AP Photo

High school: North Paulding High School (Paulding, Georgia)

College: Georgia

Position: Wide receiver

40-yard dash time (year): 4.35 seconds (2015)

Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 205 pounds

NFL career: 6 seasons (2015-present)

Teams: Kansas City Chiefs (2015-18), Jacksonville Jaguars (2019-present)

Career highlights: NFLPA Collegiate Bowl (2015)

Bottom line: As fast as Chris Conley was at the NFL scouting combine in 2015 — he ran the 40 in 4.35 seconds — few people were talking about his speed after it was over. That’s because Conley set the combine record with a stunning 45-inch vertical leap.

One other thing about Conley that’s interesting. He’s made several Star Wars fan films.

Seriously.

Las Vegas Raiders: Henry Ruggs

Henry Ruggs finished his college career No. 3 on Alabama’s career list for receiving touchdowns. Jeff Bottari / AP Photo

High school: Robert E. Lee High School (Montgomery, Alabama)

College: Alabama

Position: Wide receiver/return specialist

40-yard dash time (year): 4.27 seconds (2020)

Height/weight: 5-foot-11, 188 pounds

NFL career: 1 season (2020-present)

Team: Las Vegas Raiders

Career highlights: CFP national champion (2017)

Bottom line: Henry Ruggs was just a hair’s breadth away from the NFL scouting combine record in the 40-yard dash, and his blazing, 4.27-second time lifted him into the first round.

But it’s not just speed for Ruggs, the No. 12 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. He was incredibly productive at Alabama, racking up 24 total career receiving touchdowns.

Miami Dolphins: Matt Breida

Matt Breida was named the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year at Georgia Southern in 2014. Doug Murray / AP Photo

High school: Nature Coast Technical High School (Brooksville, Florida)

College: Georgia Southern

Position: Running back

40-yard dash time (year): 4.38 seconds (2017)

Height/weight: 5-foot-10, 195 pounds

NFL career: 4 seasons (2017-present)

Teams: San Francisco 49ers (2017-2019), Miami Dolphins (2020-present)

Career highlights: Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Year (2014), two-time All-Sun Belt Conference (2014, 2015), Doak Walker Award semifinalist (2014)

Bottom line: Matt Breida was a dominant running back in the Sun Belt and nationally for his sophomore and junior seasons at Georgia Southern before new coach Tyson Summers decided to change the offense to the triple option.

It likely cost Breida a spot in the draft, but he turned heads with his performance at Pro Day, running a 4.38-second 40, recording a 42-inch vertical leap and knocking out 23 reps in the 225-pound bench press.

Minnesota Vikings: Mark Fields

Mark Fields won two national titles at Clemson. Jim Mone / AP Photo

High school: William A. Hough High School (Cornelius, North Carolina)

College: Clemson

Position: Cornerback

40-yard dash time (year): 4.37 seconds (2019)

Height/weight: 5-foot-10, 181 pounds

NFL career: 2 seasons (2019-present)

Teams: Minnesota Vikings

Career highlights: CFP national champion (2016, 2018)

Bottom line: Mark Fields won a pair of national titles at Clemson but never cracked the starting lineup in four seasons. But it’s not unheard of for backups at big-time Power Five programs to make NFL rosters.

He’s been cut by the Vikings both of the years he’s been with the team, then put on the active roster in that same time after both cuts.

New England Patriots: Devin McCourty

Devin McCourty has won three Super Bowls with the New England Patriots. Elise Amendola / AP Photo

High school: Saint Joseph Regional High School (Montvale, New Jersey)

College: Rutgers

Position: Free safety

40-yard dash time (year): 4.41 seconds (2010)

Height/weight: 5-foot-10, 195 pounds

NFL career: 11 seasons (2010-present)

Teams: New England Patriots

Career highlights: Three-time Super Bowl champion (2015, 2018, 2019), two-time Pro Bowl (2010, 2016), three-time NFL All-Pro (2010, 2013, 2016), All-Big East (2009)

Bottom line: The undisputed winner on this list with three Super Bowl victories, Devin McCourty has spent his entire career with the New England Patriots.

In 11 seasons with the Patriots, McCourty has started every game he’s ever played in, only missed five total games and never more than two in any given season.

New Orleans Saints: Marshon Lattimore

Marshon Lattimore quickly established himself as one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks. Noah K. Murray / AP Photo

High school: Glenville High School (Cleveland, Ohio)

College: Ohio State

Position: Cornerback

40-yard dash time (year): 4.36 seconds (2017)

Height/weight: 6-foot, 192 pounds

NFL career: 4 seasons (2017-present)

Teams: New Orleans Saints

Career highlights: Two-time Pro Bowl (2017, 2019), NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2017), Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie Team (2017), CFP national champion (2014), All-Big Ten (2016)

Bottom line: In four seasons, Marshon Lattimore has established himself as one of the NFL’s best defensive players after the Saints picked him No. 11 overall in 2017.

Lattimore has been especially sharp in the postseason, where he has six pass deflections and two interceptions in five starts over his first three seasons.

New York Giants: Brandon Williams

Brandon Williams moved from running back to cornerback for his senior season at Texas A&M. Adam Hunger / AP Photo

High school: Royal High School (Pattison, Texas)

College: Texas A&M

Position: Cornerback

40-yard dash time (year): 4.37 seconds (2016)

Height/weight: 6-foot, 200 pounds

NFL career: 5 seasons (2016-present)

Teams: Arizona Cardinals (2016-19), New York Giants (2020-present)

Career highlights: Under Armour All-American (2011), Rivals No. 16 overall (2011), ESPN No. 7 running back (2011)

Bottom line: Brandon Williams didn’t even play cornerback until his senior year at Texas A&M. He was a running back before head coach Kevin Sumlin made the switch.

Because of Williams’ size and athleticism, he was projected as a sixth or seventh-round pick, but his draft stock shot up after he ran a 4.37-second 40 at the combine, and the Cardinals took him in the third round.

New York Jets: Denzel Mims

Denzel Mims had two 1,000-yard receiving seasons at Baylor. Seth Wenig / AP Photo

High school: Daingerfield High School (Daingerfield, Texas)

College: Baylor

Position: Wide receiver

40-yard dash time (year): 4.38 seconds (2020)

Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 210 pounds

NFL career: 1 season (2020-present)

Team: New York Jets

Career highlights: All-Big 12 (2019)

Bottom line: Denzel Mims had one of the more underrated careers for a wide receiver in Big 12 history, including two 1,000-plus yard receiving seasons.

Mims still wasn’t being looked at as a surefire draft pick even after all that, but he blew the doors off with his performance at the NFL scouting combine in 2020, running a 4.38-second 40 and knocking out 16 reps on the 225-pound bench press.

Philadelphia Eagles: DeSean Jackson

DeSean Jackson owns the NFL record for most touchdowns over 60 yards. Chris Szagola / AP Photo

High school: Long Beach Polytechnic High School (Long Beach, California)

College: Cal

Position: Wide receiver

40-yard dash time (year): 4.33 seconds (2008)

Height/weight: 5-foot-10, 175 pounds

NFL career: 13 seasons (2008-present)

Teams: Philadelphia Eagles (2008-13, 2019-present), Washington Football Team (2014-16), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2017-18)

Career highlights: NFL All-Pro (2009), three-time Pro Bowl (2009, 2010, 2013), two-time FBS All-American (2006, 2007), two-time All-Pac-10 (2006, 2007)

Bottom line: DeSean Jackson has been an NFL mainstay for over a decade now. And his speed is a big reason why.

Jackson isn’t built like your prototypical wideout — he’s only 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds — but that’s mattered little.

His 24 career touchdowns of 60-plus yards are an NFL record.

San Francisco 49ers: Raheem Mostert

Raheem Mostert set the San Francisco 49ers’ single-game playoff rushing record in 2020. Adam Hunger / AP Photo

High school: New Smyrna Beach High School (New Smyrna Beach, Florida)

College: Purdue

Position: Running back

40-yard dash time (year): 4.32 seconds (2015)

Height/weight: 5-foot-10, 205 pounds

NFL career: 6 seasons (2015-present)

Teams: Miami Dolphins (2015), Baltimore Ravens (2015), Cleveland Browns (2015), Chicago Bears (2016), San Francisco 49ers (2016-present)

Career highlights: Big Ten 60-meter champion (2014), Big Ten 200-meter champion (2014), NFL.com Fastest Player in College Football (2015), 49ers single-game postseason rushing record (2020)

Bottom line: Raheem Mostert’s NFL career is a study in determination. He was cut by four teams over the course of a single year before finding a home with the 49ers.

That’s where Mostert’s world-class speed was finally put on display for everyone to see, including a franchise-record 220 rushing yards in the 2020 NFC championship game against the Green Bay Packers.

Seattle Seahawks: D.K. Metcalf

D.K. Metcalf set the NFL record for single-game postseason receiving yards by a rookie in 2020. John Froschauer / AP Photo

High school: Oxford High School (Oxford, Mississippi)

College: Ole Miss

Position: Wide receiver

40-yard dash time (year): 4.33 seconds (2019)

Height/weight: 5-foot-10, 205 pounds

NFL career: 2 seasons (2019-present)

Teams: Seattle Seahawks

Career highlights: NFL record receiving yards by a rookie in a playoff game (2020)

Bottom line: D.K. Metcalf struggled with injuries throughout his college career, but that did little to impact his stock in the NFL draft — mainly because he ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the combine.

Metcalf took the NFL by storm as a rookie and set the league record for receiving yards by a rookie in a playoff game with 160 against the Steelers.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Minkah Fitzpatrick

Minkah Fitzpatrick was named to his first NFL All-Pro team in 2019. Daniel Kucin Jr. / AP Photo

High school: St. Peter’s Preparatory School (Jersey City, New Jersey)

College: Alabama

Position: Free safety

40-yard dash time (year): 4.46 seconds

Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 205 pounds

NFL career: 3 seasons (2018-present)

Teams: Miami Dolphins (2018-19), Pittsburgh Steelers (2019-present)

Career highlights: NFL All-Pro (2019), Pro Bowl (2019), two-time CFP national champion (2015, 2017), two-time FBS All-American (2016, 2017), Bednarik Award winner (2017), Thorpe Award winner (2017)

Bottom line: One of the reasons Minkah Fitzpatrick was able to essentially force his exit from the Miami Dolphins after less than two seasons is his elite speed.

Fitzpatrick joined the Steelers in 2019, and his career took off like a rocket. He made his first All-Pro and Pro Bowl teams.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jamel Dean

Jamel Dean set the Tampa Bay franchise record for a rookie with 17 pass deflections in 2019. Justin Edwards / AP Photo

High school: Cocoa High School (Cocoa, Florida)

College: Auburn

Position: Cornerback

40-yard dash time (year): 4.30 seconds (2019)

Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 206 pounds

NFL career: 2 seasons (2019-present)

Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Career highlights: Most pass deflections by a rookie (2019)

Bottom line: You cannot teach the kind of speed that cornerback Jamel Dean possesses, and it’s already made him into a valuable asset in the NFL.

After a fairly nondescript career at Auburn, Dean jumped onto draft boards in a big way when he ran a 4.30-second 40 at the NFL scouting combine.

That speed combined with his size was a big reason he set the Tampa Bay rookie record with 17 pass deflections in 2019.

Tennessee Titans: Johnathan Joseph

Johnathan Joseph started his college career at Coffeyville Community College. Jim Mone / AP Photo

High school: Northwestern High School (Rock Hill, South Carolina)

College: South Carolina

Position: Cornerback

40-yard dash time (year): 4.31 seconds (2006)

Height/weight: 5-foot-11, 185 pounds

NFL career: 15 seasons (2006-present)

Teams: Cincinnati Bengals (2006-10), Houston Texans (2011-19), Tennessee Titans (2020-present)

Career highlights: NFL All-Pro (2011), two-time Pro Bowl (2011, 2012)

Bottom line: Johnathan Joseph is the oldest player on this list at the age of 36 — you just don’t see many cornerbacks who knock off 15 seasons in the NFL.

The Coffeyville Community College and South Carolina star is a great example of you can’t hit what you can’t catch, which helps explain his longevity in the league.

Washington Football Team: Troy Apke

Troy Apke went from a special teams standout to defensive starter at Penn State, then again with the Washington Football Team. Daniel Kucin Jr. / AP Photo

High school: Mount Lebanon High School (Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania)

College: Penn State

Position: Free safety

40-yard dash time (year): 4.34 seconds (2018)

Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 205 pounds

NFL career: 3 seasons (2018-present)

Teams: Washington Football Team

Career highlights: NFLPA Collegiate Bowl MVP (2018)

Bottom line: Troy Apke was a full-time starter in just one season at Penn State, quite literally running himself into the NFL draft with a 4.34-second 40 at the NFL scouting combine.

Just like in college, Apke has gone from big-time special teams contributor to full-time starter in three seasons in the NFL.