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2024 NFL Combine

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NFL.com's 40-yard dash prospects to watch at NFL Scouting Combine

COMBINE-40-YARD-HELLMANNS

Perhaps one of the most highly anticipated drills at the NFL Combine each and every year is the 40-yard dash.

Wide receiver John Ross ran the fastest 40-yard dash in combine history back in 2017. Though many have come close to his blazing 4.22-second record, Ross has yet to be dethroned.

Seven other NFL prospects have run sub-4.3 40-yard dashes since Ross' record-setting run, and a handful of prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft class might be able to hit the 4.2s this week in Indianapolis.

NFL.com's Eric Edholm compiled a list of 20 candidates that could potentially beat Ross' record, or at least come close, at the combine this week.

Here are 20 of the top names to watch, along with commentary from Edholm.

Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee

"Wright might be flying a bit under the radar because he didn't have a ton of work in college, after having his senior season in high school canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But Wright was still able to flash his track speed in high school with a scalding 55-meter time of 6.29 seconds, which was tops in the country at the time. According to The Athletic's Bruce Feldman, Wright also has been measured at 23.6 mph on GPS and could be a standout in the jumping drills if his past work (44-inch vertical, 10-foot-8 broad, per Feldman) is any indication."

Daequan Hardy, CB, Penn State

"The high school track star became a return ace for the Nittany Lions, with a pick-six in 2021 and two punt-return touchdowns vs. UMass last season. He also showed off his speed at the East-West Shrine Bowl and could be a real contender on the Lucas Oil Stadium track. 

'He'd be my bet for fastest player overall,' Shrine Bowl director of football operations and player personnel Eric Galko said."

Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan

"Some might argue that Wilson is quicker than he is truly straight-line fast, but he ran a 4.37 40-yard dash at The Opening in 2019, which was the fastest time at that event, and logged a 4.33-second 40-yard dash last spring out of a two-point stance, according to Feldman, while also putting up electric numbers in the three-cone drill (6.20 seconds) and short shuttle (3.77 seconds). Speed appears to be in Wilson's DNA, as his mother, Colleen Colegrove, was a former high school track star."

Anthony Gould, WR, Oregon State

"Gould will be in the running for the combine's 40-yard gold, having recorded a catch of 25-plus yards in seven of his 11 games last season for the Beavers. He can absolutely turn on the gas when he gets a runway, such as on this 80-yard punt return in the East-West Shrine Bowl. Colleague Chad Reuter listed Gould as a Shrine Bowl standout, and a smoking 40 could bump his stock even further."

Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

"He ran a 10.55-second 100-meter dash in high school and reportedly has been timed at 4.29 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Worthy certainly was flying on his punt-return TD vs. BYU last season, and he'll be one of the better-known competitors in this event."

View photos of the Giants participating at the NFL Combine.