Projected 40-Yard Dash Times at 2019 NFL Combine: DK Metcalf Set at 4.59

• Prop wagers are open on the 40-yard dash times for various players at the NFL Combine
• LSU CB Donte Jackson (4.32 seconds) posted the fastest 40 at last year’s combine
• The top five finishers were all cornerbacks

It’s said that speed kills. And in football, tradition benchmark for testing speed has always been the 40-yard dash. “What was his 40 time?” is the commonly-asked question when referencing any football skill position player.

No wonder it is the marquee event each year at the NFL Combine. Post the fastest 40 and the NFL Draft will become your oyster.

Over/Under 40-Yard Dash Times

*All odds taken 2/22

The fastest 40-yard dash by an offensive player at last year’s NFL Combine was the 4.38 turned in by North Carolina State running back Nyheim Hynes.

How Fast Will They Go?

At the 2017 NFL Combine, University of Washington wide receiver John Ross set the record for the 40 with a time of 4.22 seconds. He was then selected ninth overall in the NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals, for whom he still plays.

The fastest 40 times ever at the NFL Combine include one former #Huskers DB. https://t.co/ItakPQ8VCq

— Nebraska Cornhuskers on 247Sports (@Nebraska247) February 21, 2019

Chris Johnson holds down second spot on the all-time list. The former Arizona Cardinals RB and three-time Pro Bowl player posted a 4.24 40 in 2008.

Of the 10 fastest 40 times in NFL Combine history, just two were turned in by running backs and four each by wide receivers and defensive backs.

Penn State's pro day today will feature Saquon Barkley, who led all Power-5 players with 2,329 all-purpose yards last season.

Barkley is the 2nd player to run a 4.40 40, put up 29 reps on the bench & jump at least 41 inches at the NFL Combine since 2006 ( Vernon Davis). pic.twitter.com/BoRYtH7mtj

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 20, 2018

Some interesting times to keep in mind from last year’s combine.

• Penn State RB Saquon Barkley, who went on to capture the NFL OROY Award with the New York Giants, stopped the clock at 4.40 seconds
• Alabama WR Calvin Ridley, now of the Atlanta Falcons, was clocked in 4.43 seconds
• San Diego State RB Rashaad Penny, today a Seattle Seahawk, ran a 4.46

.@timtebow running the 40-yard dash at the 2010 #NFLCombine!

📺: 2019 NFL Combine | March 1-4 on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/9gxVEfBXki

— NFL (@NFL) February 22, 2019

You have to go all the way down to 97th to find the fastest QB. Ohio State’s JT Barrett posed a 4.70 and was not drafted.

Every player clocked in 4.42 seconds or faster was selected in the NFL Draft.

Will Love Conquer All?

The speed of Stanford Cardinal RB Bryce Love is well documented. He set an FBS record by posting 11 straight games with a rush of 50+ yards. He’s a breakaway threat at any spot on the field.

https://twitter.com/StoolStanford/status/919411567166476289

He was a track star in high school who ran a 4.30 40-yard dash at that level. Love set national age-group records with USA Track and Field in the 100 meters  – 11.64 seconds in 11-12 age group and 10.73 seconds in the 13-14 age group.

The NFL's concerns about Bryce Love: The Stanford tailback's regression and torn ACL as a senior will surely hurt his draft stock. Even his desire to be a doctor may be viewed with trepidation. But he has no regrets. https://t.co/PkmUp5UVqv

— Sports'eur (@sportseur) February 22, 2019

Normally, you’d say under 4.38 seconds at -120  for Love is a gift to you.

But there’s a caveat. He’s coming back from a torn ACL. Does he push it to impress the scouts that he’s fully recovered, or back off and play it safe?

We don’t think he beats Barkley’s time. Play the over.

Pick: Bryce Love OVER 4.38 (-120)

The Under On Metcalf’s 40 Is A Gift

Ole Miss WR DK Metcalf is a physical monster at 6-4 and 230 pounds, but he runs like a gazelle. He’s been clocked at 4.46 seconds for the 40-yard dash, and sportsbooks are giving you a total of 4.59 seconds on Metcalf.

@dkmetcalf14 is one hell of a player. He can do it all!
Plus, he looks like a madden created player: pic.twitter.com/V9s9wYanjq

— Cashburn (@Cashburn_) February 22, 2019

You should sprint faster to get that bet down than Metcalf can run.

Pick: DK Metcalf UNDER 4.59 (-500)

QBs Or Not QBs?

Traditionally, the men who throw the ball don’t throw down impressive 40 times. Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins is known more for his passing arm than for being fleet of foot.

https://twitter.com/Sully1195/status/934509757255356422

Okay, maybe Haskins isn’t that slow, but the over seems the logical play on both him and Penn State’s Trace McSorley. Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray, though, is known for his footspeed, but can he get under 4.37 seconds?

Two Big Questions As We Get Closer To The #NFLCombine: Can QB prospect Kyler Murray run a sub-4.30 40-yard-dash? And, is he 5'10??? Inquiring minds will get their answers very soon…https://t.co/IcKITtZ98w via @yardbarker

— Ronen Seliger (@nensta3) February 20, 2019

That could prove a tall order. Michael Vick posted the fastest 40-yard dash ever by a QB on Pro Day at 4.33 seconds. Murray claims to have run a 4.30 40 two or three years ago. Regardless, we’d play the over on him as well.

Picks: Dwayne Haskins, Trace McSorley, Kyler Murray OVER