2018 NFL Draft: The five fastest 40 times from Scouting Combine

Honorable Mention: Tony Brown, Alabama Crimson Tide

Just on the outside of this list was the Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back whom no one seems to be talking about. Minkah Fitzpatrick is a projected Top 10 draft pick, Ronnie Harrison is on the Round 1 bubble, and Anthony Averett, who ran a 4.36, has a Round 2 grade.

What few expected, however, was for nickel cornerback Tony Brown to edge Averett out by running the fastest 40 of any Alabama player in the 2018 NFL Draft.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/970667743589548032

That unofficial time of 4.37 seconds was slower than he actually ran, as Brown’s official time was clocked at 4.35 seconds. It was a sensational showing by Brown, who’s currently listed as a Round 4 prospect by Lance Zierlein of NFL.com.

Brown didn’t blow anyone away in the other drills, but his potential as a slot coverage specialist should get him drafted late on Day 2 or early on Day 3.

Brown is a physical run defender whose ability to provide support outside the tackles should give him a solid NFL career. His coverage skills are somewhat debatable, but he’s a disciplined player who doesn’t take too many unnecessary chances.

There’s a quiet belief that teams will try to get him to add muscle and become an outside linebacker, but the more likely scenario is that his speed will give him play as a nick corner.