Amari Cooper vs Kevin White: Who’s the best?

Speed: Cooper

No one gave either one of these guys credit for being as fast as they are until they ran at the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine. Then of course, everyone came away most impressed with white because his official time of 4.35 seconds. But the combine is a funny thing and now, I see why teams send their own scouts to hold their stopwatches over there.

In the simulcam race, Cooper, who was clocked at 4.42, finished in front of White, who was clocked at 4.35. In a three-man simulcam on NFL Network, White was a step in front of Devante Parker, who was behind both of them so White’s 4.35 to Parker’s 4.45 makes sense. But what doesn’t make sense is Copper was a full foot in front of but timed .07 slower than White.

The simulcam not only shows that Cooper finished in front but that he has much better top-end speed too. The 40-yard dash is acceleration as it takes a human being 40 yards get to top speed. From 40-60, a human being is at his fastest and after that, it’s conditioning or speed-endurance.

You can see from the simulcam that White powered out to 20 then from 20-40 Cooper pulled up on him to get to a higher max velocity at 40 yards. That’s what Hall of fame receiver Jerry Rice had that Bill Walsh like even though he only ran a 4.59. When you run a go-route, against off coverage, the defensive back doesn’t turn and run until you eat up his cushion.

When you’re fast, you’re considered even and leavin’ and that’s at the 20-yard mark so there’s where your 20-40 speed or max velocity is important.

Next: Route Running