The Fastest NFL Players of All Time
This list is composed of the fastest NFL players of all time, ranked by overall speed and talent level. The NFL measures straight-line speed at the yearly NFL combine, with John Ross breaking the 40-yard dash record in 2017 with a blazing 4.22-second dash. However, that speed does not always translate to the field. Fans often tell tales of the greatest wide receiver of all time, Jerry Rice, who only ran a 4.71 40-yard dash yet displayed elite on-field speed with pads on.
This list is a collection of which players displayed the most jaw-dropping, game-changing speed in NFL history. It's no coincidence that many of these players also find themselves among the greatest NFL players of all time. Typically, the fastest NFL players are running backs, wide receivers, and cornerbacks, although certain anomalies like Michael Vick find themselves among the fastest NFL players due to top-notch speed.
Go ahead and rank the fastest NFL players of all time, and when you're done, head on over to rank the fastest NBA players of all time.
- 1Cornerback
- Age: 63
- Teams: Washington Redskins
- 2Wide Receiver
- Age: 29
- Teams: Miami Dolphins
- 3Running back
- Age: 60
- Teams: Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox, Oakland Raiders, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
- 4Cornerback
- Age: 55
- Teams: Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers
- 5Wide receiver
- Age: Dec. at 59 (1942-2002)
- Teams: Dallas Cowboys
- 6Running back, Return specialist
- Age: 37
- Teams: Tennessee Titans
