Daniel Jeremiah predicts who will run fastest 40-yard dash at NFL Combine
While festivities at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine began earlier this week, today marks the start of on-field drills for some of the top prospects in Indianapolis.
At 7pm EST tonight, the quarterbacks, wide receivers and tight ends will take the field for workouts. The running backs and offensive linemen will then go on Friday before the defensive linemen and linebackers take part in drills on Saturday. The defensive backs will be the final group to work out on Sunday.
One of the most entertaining drills at the combine each year is the 40-yard dash. 14 players have registered marks below 4.3-seconds since 2003, including Giants wide receiver John Ross, who holds the all-time record at 4.22.
NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah ranked the top 7 players that he believes will post the best 40 times at this year's combine.
Here are Jeremiah's candidates to run the fastest 40-yard dash.
1. WR Danny Gray, SMU
"Gray is my top candidate to run the fastest 40-yard dash this week. With speed that is easy to spot on tape, he has an explosive first gear and the ability to pull away from defenders." -- Jeremiah
2. CB Kalon Barnes, Baylor
"Barnes is the favorite of several personnel guys when asked who will run the fastest 40 in Indy... His speed shows up on tape when he's in pursuit, and he closes in a hurry." -- Jeremiah
3. CB Tariq Woolen, Texas-San Antonio
"Woolen is an enormous cornerback (checking in at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds) with big-time athleticism. The Athletic's Bruce Feldman featured him on his freak's list last summer, where he mentioned that Woolen had been timed at 4.34 in the 40." -- Jeremiah
4. CB Zyon McCollum, Sam Houston State
"McCollum has been training with Gray, and he's right there with him in the speed department.. He is a highly productive player (13 career interceptions), and his workout should only help boost his draft stock." -- Jeremiah
5. WR Jahan Dotson, Penn State
"Dotson is a smooth, explosive wideout who effortlessly eats up ground as a runner, and his combination of speed, route running and reliable hands will likely result in a first-round selection." -- Jeremiah
6. WR Calvin Austin III, Memphis
"The small (5-7, 173 pounds), dynamic Austin possesses outstanding quickness and top speed. And as a member of the Memphis track team, he competed in the 4x100-meter and 4x400-meter relays and 60-meter and 200-meter dashes." -- Jeremiah
7. CB Kyler Gordon, Washington
"Gordon is one of my favorite players in the draft class, an instinctive cornerback with outstanding size (6-foot, 200) and speed. Bruce Feldman reported that Gordon jumped 42.5 inches at Washington, and that indicates a special 40-time should be expected." -- Jeremiah
View photos from Media Day as some of the top WR, TE, and QB prospects speak to reporters from the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
Jelani Woods
UCLA tight end Greg Dulcich speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Dontario Drummond
Alabama wide receiver John Metchie speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Jeremy Ruckert
Oregon State tight end Teagan Quitoriano speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Isaiah Likely
Virginia tight end Jelani Woods speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Treylon Burks
Nebraska tight end Austin Allen speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
SMU tight end Grant Calcaterra speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Jelani Woods
Maryland tight end Chig Okonkwo speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Wisconsin tight end Jake Ferguson speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Texas A&M tight end Jalen Wydermyer speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Chris Olave
San Diego State tight end Daniel Bellinger speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Colorado State tight end Trey McBride speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Ohio State tight end Jeremy Ruckert speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Iowa State tight end Charlie Kolar speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
John Metchie
Nevada tight end Cole Turner speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Nevada wide receiver Romeo Doubs speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Iowa State tight end Chase Allen speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Dontario Drummond
Kent State quarterback Dustin Crum speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Texas Tech wide receiver Erik Ezukanma speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Washington tight end Cade Otton speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Nevada wide receiver Romeo Doubs speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Iowa State tight end Chase Allen speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Southeastern Louisiana quarterback Cole Kelley speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
USC wide receiver Drake London speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Purdue wide receiver David Bell speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Alabama wide receiver John Metchie speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Mississippi wide receiver Dontario Drummond speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Arkansas wide receiver Treylon Burks speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Arkansas wide receiver Treylon Burks speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Miami quarterback D'Eriq King speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kent State quarterback Dustin Crum speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Coastal Carolina tight end Isaiah Likely speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Treylon Burks
Treylon Burks
Drake London
John Metchie
Drake London
Kaleb Eleby
Slade Bolden
Kaleb Eleby
Drake London
John Metchie
Jack Coan
Jahan Dotson
John Metchie
Clemson wide receiver Justyn Ross (29) speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, March 2, 2022. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Dontario Drummond
John Metchie
Jahan Dotson
Jahan Dotson
Isaiah Likely
Cade Otton
Isaiah Likely
Chase Allen
Chase Allen
Cade Otton
Georgia wide receiver George Pickens speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Trey McBride
Jelani Woods
Chase Allen
Jalen Wydermyder
Jelani Woods
Jalen Wydermyder
Jeremy Ruckert
Carson Strong
Carson Strong
Jalen Wydermyder
Carson Strong
Jelani Woods
Cade Otton
Cade Otton
Carson Strong
Carson Strong
Carson Strong
Wisconsin tight end Jake Ferguson speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson (39) speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, March 2, 2022. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (13) speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, March 2, 2022. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Kentucky wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Maryland tight end Chig Okonkwo speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
North Dakota State wide receiver Christian Watson speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kent State quarterback Dustin Crum speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Boise State wide receiver Khalil Shakir speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Daniel Jeremiah's best Giants draft fits
With the calendar officially flipped to March, we are under two months away from the start of the 2022 NFL Draft.
A lot can change between now and April 28, especially with free agency still to come later this month. But several prospects have already seemingly solidified their spots toward the top of the draft, even without any on-field workouts yet.
NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah believes there are two perfect fits for the Giants, who currently hold the fifth and seventh overall picks. However, whether or not either player will still be available when the Giants are on the clock remains to be seen.
"I would say (Aidan) Hutchinson and (Ikem) Ekwonu would be the two that I would just run the card in…" Jeremiah said on Big Blue Kickoff Live regarding no-brainer picks for the Giants. "(Evan) Neal wouldn't be for me. He's my fifth overall player, so I wouldn't hate that pick at all. But to me, I just think those top two guys are no-brainers. I think you just plug-and-play them, and off you go….
"I don't think they'll be there. We'll see. It's a long time between now and then. Teams have free agency to address other needs and see what happens. But I just think they're high-floor and high-ceiling guys, which are hard to find."
Giants release TE Kyle Rudolph, RB Devontae Booker
What promises to be a busy offseason of roster restructuring began in earnest for the Giants on Wednesday, who announced they have released running back Devontae Booker and tight end Kyle Rudolph.
Both veterans were first-year Giants who joined the team as free agents in 2021. They are the first veteran contributors from the team to be cut by the Giants' new hierarchy, general manager Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll.
Schoen spoke Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine about the offseason issues the Giants face.
"The reality of the situation is we have to get under the (salary) cap," he said. "We're over the cap right now. It's the contingency plans. Literally we have A, B, C, D, E and you gotta wait for the first shoe to fall before you make the next decision, so it's a great time to be here. I'm excited to be at the combine, I'm glad that everything is back in person. But to get around with the agents of our players and have a face-to-face conversation, be able to meet with other general managers and really get a beat for what everything is going to look like … I'm looking forward to accomplishing a lot this week.
"There's some conversations that need to be had, I'll say that. We've got a detailed plan when we come here and over the next 24 hours, we'll start moving based on conversations."
View the players set to become free agents when the new league year begins March 16.
No. 144 Dallis Flowers, CB, Pittsburgh State
WR C.J. Board (UFA) - UPDATE: Signed new contract with Giants
LB Lorenzo Carter (UFA)
DB Keion Crossen (UFA) - UPDATE: Crossen has agreed to a multi-year contract with the Miami Dolphins
OT Korey Cunningham (UFA)
DB Nate Ebner (UFA)
TE Evan Engram (UFA) - UPDATE: Engram has agreed to a contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars
QB Mike Glennon (UFA)
G Will Hernandez (UFA)
DL Austin Johnson (UFA) - UPDATE: Johnson has agreed to a multi-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers
LS Casey Kreiter (UFA) - UPDATE: Kreiter has reportedly signed a contract to return to the Giants
LB Benardrick McKinney (UFA)
FB Elijhaa Penny (UFA)
S Jabrill Peppers (UFA)
WR Dante Pettis (UFA)
OL Billy Price (UFA)
LB Reggie Ragland (UFA)
WR John Ross (UFA)
DL Danny Shelton (UFA)
OL Matt Skura (UFA)
LB Jaylon Smith (UFA)
OT Nate Solder (UFA)
TE Levine Toilolo (UFA)
FB Cullen Gillaspia (RFA)
DB Joshua Kalu (RFA)
DB Steven Parker (RFA)
QB Jake Fromm (ERFA)
OL Kyle Murphy (ERFA)
DB J.R. Reed (ERFA)
WR David Sills V (ERFA) - UPDATE: Signed new contact with Giants
DB Jarren Williams (ERFA) - UPDATE: Williams has re-signed with the Giants
Giants add Angela Baker, Cade Knox to coaching staff
Angela Baker has joined the Giants’ coaching staff as the inaugural recipient of the Rosie Brown Minority Coaching Fellowship. Baker will be the offensive quality control coach.
Baker becomes the second woman to join Brian Daboll’s staff. Laura Young is the team's director of coaching operations.
"(I) did an interview with her over Zoom," Daboll said yesterday at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. "Just very impressive. A former player for six or seven years as a slot receiver. Very knowledgeable. I thought she'd be a very good addition to our staff."
The fellowship is named in honor of Rosie Brown, one of the greatest players and arguably the best offensive lineman in Giants history. A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 1975, Brown played for the Giants from 1953 through 1965 after joining the team as a 27th round draft choice from Morgan State. He was a starting tackle for 13 consecutive seasons, a period when he was named to nine Pro Bowls and selected All-NFL eight consecutive seasons. Brown helped the Giants win the NFL title in 1956 and advance to the championship game in 1958, 1959, 1961, 1962 and 1963. He was immediately named assistant line coach by the Giants after a phlebitis condition forced him to retire in 1966. Brown continued his Giants affiliation as a scout from 1971 until his death on June 9, 2004.
Daboll also hired Cade Knox as an offensive assistant/game manager.
View photos of the 2022 New York Giants coaching staff, led by Head Coach Brian Daboll.
Head Coach Brian Daboll
Offensive Coordinator Mike Kafka
Defensive Coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale
Special Teams Coordinator Thomas McGaughey
Director of Coaching Operations Laura Young
Tight Ends Coach Andy Bischoff
Offensive Quality Control Coach Angela Baker
Assistant Special Teams Coach Anthony Blevins
Assistant Defensive Line Coach Bryan Cox
Inside Linebackers Coach John Egorugwu
Wide Receivers Coach Mike Groh
Defensive Backs Coach Jerome Henderson
Offensive Line Coach Bobby Johnson
Offensive Assistant Christian Jones
Offensive Assistant/Game Manager Cade Knox
Defensive Line Coach Andre Patterson
Running Backs Coach DeAndre Smith
Assistant Offensive Line Coach Tony Sparano Jr.
Quarterbacks Coach Shea Tierney
Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Mike Treier
Outside Linebackers Coach Drew Wilkins
Defensive Assistant Kevin Wilkins
Quality Control/Special Teams Coach Nick Williams
