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

Few drills turn quite as many heads at the Scouting Combine as the 40-yard dash. Which prospects in the 2018 NFL Draft aced the event?

No matter how the game changes, speed will forever be known as a critical asset in the NFL. Simply being able to cover ground is a positive trait unto itself, with the fastest of athletes often providing teams with compelling playmaking potential on both sides of the ball.

The 2018 NFL Draft is no different, as some of the fastest players in this draft class are also earning their status as some of the most coveted contributors on the board.

There’s always the possibility that speed won’t be enough for players to make it in the NFL. There’s more to the game than being able to get to the right spot at the right time, including the knowledge of how and when to do so.

The players who can outrun everyone else on the field have an undeniable advantage, however, and teams will eternally attempt to exploit it.

In the case of the 2018 NFL Draft, a vast majority of the speedsters can be found on defense. The secondary is flush with compelling talent, as well as premier athletes who can recover quickly and turn a disaster into a rewarding possession.

The question is: Who are the fastest players in the 2018 NFL Draft based on how they ran at the Scouting Combine? Some names may surprise you.

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.

The Penn State Nittany Lions dominated the 2018 NFL Draft Scouting Combine. Saquon Barkley was as impressive as many hoped he would be, Mike Gesicki led the charge in a vast majority of the drills at tight end, and cornerback Grant Haley showed out with speed and quickness.

The fastest player on the Penn State docket, however, was the safety whom few expected to make such a profound impact: Troy Apke.

Apke was a dominant force at the Scouting Combine, posting a 41.0″ vertical jump and ranking fourth amongst safeties in the broad jump. The key to his success wasn’t just his explosiveness, but his rare blend of speed and quickness, as well.

Apke ran the fastest 40 of any safety in this draft class, checking in with an absurd time of 4.34 seconds—0.06 seconds faster than any other player at his position.

Apke also ranked No. 1 amongst safeties in the three cone drill and 20-yard shuttle. In other words: Apke is the single most athletic safety in this draft class, with speed, agility, and leaping ability all taken into account.

How that translates to game film will be debated between now and the 2018 NFL Draft, but the working theory is that Apke will be drafted.

No wide receiver did themselves more favors at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine than D.J. Chark. Fresh off of a sensational performance at the Senior Bowl, Chark proved to be one of the most athletically blessed players in this draft class.

Chark is now on the first-round bubble after showcasing the type of physical gifts that teams have proven willing to reach for in the NFL Draft.

Chark measured at 6’3″ and 199 pounds, which gives him ideal size and a somewhat slim frame. Despite being one of the taller wide receivers in this draft class, Chark managed to set the field ablaze with his stunning 40.

Chark finished the 40-yard dash with a time of 4.34 seconds, which ties Troy Apke and sits alone as the fastest mark by a wide receiver in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Chark also showcased his explosiveness with a 40.0″ vertical jump and a 129.0″ broad jump. With No. 1 rankings in both the 40-yard dash and the vertical jump, Chark has clearly established himself as a high-ceiling receiver.

The question is: Will Chark be able to shed the Cordarrelle Patterson comparisons and produce a high-quality NFL career?

Donte Jackson entered the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine with a first-round grade and a second-round projection. The concerns about his size and build weren’t exactly addressed, but his upside was further established with his displays of athleticism.

I’m still not entirely sure if Jackson will ever be able to realize his Pro Bowl potential, but he has the athleticism and footwork to become a true cover corner.

Jackson ran a 4.32 in the 40-yard dash, which simply confirmed the widespread belief that he’s one of the fastest players in this draft class. He’s every bit as explosive on film as he was at the Scouting Combine, with the ability to close the gap between himself and a receiver in no time at all.

That creates compelling playmaking potential, albeit with a somewhat low total of four interceptions in three seasons on his college resume.

Jackson recorded 17 passes defended over the course of the past two seasons, however, and more than held his own against the SEC’s wide receivers. Size is still a question mark, but his speed enables him to play bigger than he is.

Whether Jackson is a first or second-round draft pick, there aren’t many who expect him to fall much further than the early stages of Round 2.

The biggest cornerback sleeper of the 2018 NFL Draft may just be Tulane Green Wave standout Parry Nickerson. A thin frame is going to be the significant knock against him, but if Nickerson manages to bulk up without losing too much of his speed, he could have a solid pro-level future.

If nothing else, Nickerson will be known as the fastest player (tied) to emerge from the 2018 NFL Draft—a decent distinction to own.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/970673671789359107

Nickerson, a redshirt senior, burst out of the gates and finished strong with a 4.32 time in the 40-yard dash. It was an impressive showing by the 6’0″ cornerback, who all but confirmed his playmaking potential at the Scouting Combine.

There’s certainly more work to be done, but Nickerson has the ability to gamble for interceptions and recover quickly when he mistimes his reads.

Between the 2016 and 2017 seasons, Nickerson hauled in 10 interceptions and recorded 17 passes defended. He returned both an interception and a fumble recovery for touchdowns during his collegiate career, which is again a testament to his speed and playmaking potential.

Nickerson is tough and competitive, but he’ll need to bulk up and prove that he can tackle in the NFL if he’s going to realize his potential.

The three-way tie for No. 1 consists of three cornerbacks who did wonders for their respective draft stock. That list includes Ohio State Buckeyes star Denzel Ward, who entered the Scouting Combine with top 10 hype in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Whether or not you believe Ward should be a top-10 draft pick, what’s clear is that his performance at the Scouting Combine should help his stock.

Ward ran a ridiculous 4.32 40, which was simply the beginning of what was a truly spectacular day. He produced a 39.0″ vertical leap, a 136.0″ broad jump, and put up 16 reps in the bench press—all of which rated well amongst his peers.

Ward ranked No. 1 amongst cornerbacks in the 40-yard dash and broad jump, No. 2 in the vertical jump, and No. 8 in the bench press.

Ward is somewhat undersized in height and weight, but his measurements aren’t very different from former teammate Marshon Lattimore’s. That’s a compelling truth when one considers the fact that Lattimore was one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL in 2017—as a rookie.

If Ward proves to be as fundamentally polished in the NFL as he is on film, then he should be one of the top overall prospects to emerge from this class.

Must Read: Shaquem Griffin is more than an inspirational story

The question is: How will speed perform on the night of the 2018 NFL Draft?