The 2019 NFL combine just kicked off on Wednesday. Day 1 was simply arriving, registering and interviews for special teams, offensive linemen and running backs. But things will quickly heat up in Indianapolis, with the 40-yard dash getting the most attention of all the drills to take place.
Though it only matters to a few positions, it’s the one drill most often referenced when talking about draft prospects. But does it really matter that much to scouts and general managers? The best indication is how those prospects taken in the first round fare.
Let’s take a look back to the 2018 NFL combine and see how the players selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft fared in their respective position groups.
1) QB Baker Mayfield | Browns | 4.84 seconds | 8th ranked
Mayfield was expected to be the top pick in the draft and Cleveland didn’t disappoint. Though Mayfield would set a rookie record, throwing for 27 touchdowns in just 13 starts, he did well with his legs too. Mayfield added 39 rushes for 131 yards on the ground and impressed with his ability to avoid pressure.
2) RB Saquon Barkley | Giants | 4.40 seconds | 2nd ranked
Barkley would impress at the combine, running a blazing 4.4-second 40-yard dash and back it up in the regular season. With 1,307 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns on 261 attempts for New York, Barkley was the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year for 2018.
3) QB Sam Darnold | Jets | 4.85 seconds | 9th ranked
Darnold’s 40-yard dash time would fall about the middle of the pack amongst quarterbacks at the 2018 NFL combine. However, it would be the second worst of the quarterbacks taken in the first round.
4) CB Denzel Ward | Browns | 4.32 seconds | 1st ranked
Ward would tie for the fastest 40-yard dash at the 2018 NFL combine along with the Jets’ sixth-round cornerback Parry Nickerson and the Panthers’ second-round cornerback Donte Jackson. Ward would turn his impressive combine performance into a solid rookie season, posting up three interceptions, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries to go along with 11 passes defensed.
5) DE Bradley Chubb | Broncos | 4.65 seconds | 3rd ranked
Chubb would parlay his third-best 40-yard dash time among the defensive ends at the combine into a shot at the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Chubb’s 12 sacks would come in second on Denver’s roster, only to linebacker Von Miller — an impressive feat.
6) G Quenton Nelson | Colts | N/A | N/A
Though Nelson didn’t run the 40-yard dash at either the combine or Notre Dame’s Pro Day, the guard would make highlight reels all season long. Noted for his toughness and strength, Nelson proved that offensive linemen don’t necessarily need the drill to put themselves in the first round.
7) QB Josh Allen | Bills | 4.75 seconds | 3rd ranked
Allen put up a pretty fast 40-yard dash time but needed it in Buffalo’s worst-ranked passing offense. Allen would lead the Bills in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns by a wide margin, gaining 631 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground on just 89 attempts. Allen would only start 11 games in his rookie season, seeing Nathan Peterman, Derek Anderson and Matt Barkley all get at least one start as well.
8) LB Roquan Smith | Bears | 4.51 seconds | 2nd ranked
Much like the other top performers at the 40-yard dash in the first round, Smith would turn it into a solid season. The Chicago linebacker would be named to the NFL’s All-Rookie Team and rank ninth in the league with 89 solo tackles. Smith would also add an interception and five sacks to go with his 121 combined tackles.
9) T Mike McGlinchey | 49ers | N/A | N/A
Like fellow Notre Dame offensive lineman Nelson, McGlinchey didn’t run the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine or his Pro Day. Also like Nelson, McGlinchey would still have a successful season, starting all 16 games at right tackle for San Francisco.
10) QB Josh Rosen | Cardinals | 4.92 seconds | 13th ranked
It was a big year for quarterbacks in the NFL draft, with Rosen being the fourth passer taken in the top 10. Rosen would run the slowest 40-yard dash time of any quarterback taken in the first round. Rosen would have a tough season with Arizona, throwing only 11 touchdowns to 14 interceptions and getting sacked 45 times. However, Rosen would rush 23 times for 138 yards, for a 6.0 yard-per-attempt average that would best Lamar Jackson, Mayfield and Sam Darnold.
11) CB Minkah Fitzpatrick | Dolphins | 4.46 seconds | 11th ranked
Though Fitzpatrick only had an average 40 time, he’d end up playing all over Miami’s defense at cornerback, safety and in the box. Fitzpatrick helped prove that overall talent might trump pure speed as he started 11 games for the Dolphins, nabbing two interceptions for 64 combined yards and returning one for a touchdown.
12) DT Vita Vea | Buccaneers | 5.1 seconds | 9th ranked
Vea would be the only first-round selection to run the 40-yard dash at 5 seconds or slower. It didn’t stop Tampa Bay from taking him at No. 12 and starting him eight games. Then again, defensive linemen aren’t often asked to run 40 yards at a time. Vea would finish his rookie season with 28 combined tackles and three sacks.
13) DT Daron Payne | Redskins | 4.95 seconds | 2nd ranked
The flip side of Vea, Payne would have the second-best 40-yard dash time among defensive tackles. The difference would be noticeable on the stat sheet. Payne started all 16 games for Washington, finishing with 56 combined tackles, five sacks, a forced fumble and fumble recovery, as well as three passes defensed.
14) DE Marcus Davenport | Saints | 4.58 seconds | 1st ranked
Davenport’s speed didn’t necessarily translate to massive stats for New Orleans. Beating fellow first-round defensive end Chubb by 0.07 seconds in the 40-yard dash, Davenport wouldn’t have nearly the same success on the stat sheet. Playing in 13 games for the Saints but starting none, Davenport finished the season with 4.5 sacks and 22 combined tackles. Injuries wouldn’t help Davenport out any in his rookie season, however.
15) T Kolton Miller | Raiders | 4.95 seconds | 3rd ranked
Miller was the only offensive lineman selected in the first round to actually run the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. Because of that, it’s difficult to know exactly how Miller would have ranked accordingly. Still, Miller would translate that third-ranked 40 time to 16 starts at left tackle for Oakland, but would allow 16 sacks and 65 total pressures on the season, according to PFF.
16) LB Tremaine Edmunds | Bills | 4.54 seconds | 5th ranked
The Bills wouldn’t have much to get excited about through the 2018 season but Edmunds would be one of their bright spots. The linebacker showed off his speed and talent, leading Buffalo with 121 total tackles. Edmunds would also add two interceptions and 12 passes defensed to go with two forced fumbles and two sacks.
17) S Derwin James | Chargers | 4.47 seconds |8th ranked
The Chargers didn’t seem to be too bothered by James’ eighth-ranked 40-yard dash time. James would prove pure speed isn’t necessary if you’re good at football, putting himself in the discussion for the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year. James would be an integral part of Los Angeles’ defense, starting 16 games, grabbing three interceptions, 13 passes defensed, 3.5 sacks and 105 combined tackles en route to Pro Bowl and All-Pro nods.
18) CB Jaire Alexander | Packers | 4.38 seconds | 6th ranked
While Alexander ranked sixth among cornerbacks, we’re talking about 0.06 seconds between him and Ward’s top-ranked 40-yard dash times here. Alexander would have a solid season for himself, starting 11 games for Green Bay. Alexander would finish his rookie season with an interception returned 27 yards, 11 passes defensed, 0.5 sacks and 66 combined tackles
19) LB Leighton Vander Esch | Cowboys | 4.65 seconds | 14th ranked
Among all linebackers, Vander Esch would post the 14th-best 40-yard dash time. But when considering just inside linebackers, Vander Esch would have a far more reasonable fourth-best time. Then again, the three players ahead of him on that list wouldn’t get selected in the 2018 NFL draft, showing pure speed isn’t as necessary here.
Vander Esch would have a fantastic season for Dallas, finishing third in the league with 140 combined tackles. Vander Esch wouldn’t have much difficulty in the passing game either, grabbing two interceptions for 56 combined return yards and seven passes defensed.
20) C Frank Ragnow | Lions | N/A | N/A
The first center off the board fits the pattern of first-round offensive linemen in not running the 40-yard dash at the combine. But Ragnow did run at Arkansas’ Pro Day, putting up a 4.98-second time. Among centers, that would have been the top-ranked showing. Starting all 16 games at center for Detroit, Ragnow allowed four sacks and 36 total pressures, according to PFF.
21) C Billy Price | Bengals | N/A | N/A
Price would suffer an incomplete tear of his left pectoral muscle while doing the bench press at the 2018 NFL combine, according to Cameron Wolfe of ESPN. The injury eventually needed surgery to fix, keeping Price out of Ohio State’s Pro Day as well. Price would face an ankle injury that would only allow him to start 10 games for Cincinnati.
22) LB Rashaan Evans | Titans | N/A | N/A
There were questions surrounding Evans’ athleticism heading into the combine but he didn’t run the 40-yard dash there or at Alabama’s Pro Day. Evans would end up dealing with a hamstring injury throughout training camp, limiting his rookie season. Still, Evans played in 15 games and didn’t exactly impress in his seven starts, posting just 53 combined tackles.
23) G Isaiah Wynn | Patriots | N/A | N/A
Wynn wasn’t able to participate in either the NFL combine or Georgia’s Pro Day due to shoulder surgery. Wynn would still get selected in the first round but would have his season end in the preseason with a torn Achilles.
24) WR D.J. Moore | Panthers | 4.42 seconds | 5th ranked
Moore was known for his speed and quickness, so his impressive 40-yard dash wasn’t terribly shocking. It helped him be the first wide receiver off the board in the 2018 NFL draft and carried over to the regular season.
Starting 10 games for Carolina, Moore caught 55 passes for 788 yards and two touchdowns. Moore would also add 172 rushing yards on 13 attempts on the season as well, showing off his speed both through the air and on the ground. Moore would rank second in both receptions and receiving yards, and top in rushing attempts and rushing yards among rookie wide receivers.
25) TE Hayden Hurst | Ravens | 4.67 seconds | 3rd ranked
Hurst would be widely considered the most complete tight end in this draft class and wouldn’t disappoint at the NFL combine. But a foot injury derailed Hurst’s season and he never found his place in Baltimore’s offense.
26) WR Calvin Ridley | Falcons | 4.43 seconds | 6th ranked
While Moore’s 40-yard dash time was just a hair faster, Ridley would put together a better rookie season on the stat sheet. Ridley would top all rookie wide receivers with 64 receptions, 821 yards and 10 touchdowns with Atlanta. But Ridley would also go to a far more productive passing offense, potentially skewing the numbers in his favor.
27) RB Rashaad Penny | Seahawks | 4.46 seconds | 3rd ranked
Penny would turn his impressive 40-yard dash time into a first-round status as the second running back selected in the draft. But knee and ankle injuries would slow Penny’s rookie season, limiting his production. Still, Penny’s 419 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 85 attempts, along with nine receptions for 75 yards showed Penny can find success with Seattle.
28) S Terrell Edmunds | Steelers | 4.47 seconds | 8th ranked
Edmunds had the same 40-yard dash time as James but not quite the same level of success. Still, Edmunds started 15 games for Pittsburgh and finished with an interception for 35 yards, four passes defensed, a sack, a fumble recovery and 78 combined tackles. But the difference in stats between Edmunds and James goes to show the 40-yard dash doesn’t tell the whole story.
29) DT Taven Bryan | Jaguars | 4.98 seconds | 4th ranked
Bryan put up the fourth-best 40-yard dash among defensive tackles, just behind fellow first-round pick Payne. But in Jacksonville’s deep defense, Bryan would be in a rotation as they continued to develop him. Bryan started one game, though he played in all 16 and finished with one sack and 20 combined tackles. It’s more likely Bryan will have a bigger role in 2019, however.
30) CB Mike Hughes | Vikings | 4.53 seconds | 25th ranked
Hughes is the odd man out in the first round, posting one of the worst 40-yard dash times at his position. Though Hughes suffered a torn ACL, ending his season early, he put up stats. In just six games (starting two), Hughes had one interception, returning it 28 yards for a touchdown. Hughes played both inside and outside in Minnesota’s defense, showing they weren’t too concerned about his straight-line speed.
31) RB Sony Michel | Patriots | 4.54 seconds | 10th ranked
The 40-yard dash doesn’t matter much when you’re a Super Bowl winner. But in spite of his rather pedestrian 40 time, Michel put up yards in New England’s offense. Starting eight games and playing in 13, Michel ran for 931 yards and six touchdowns on 209 attempts. Michel would really come on in the postseason, adding 336 rushing yards and six more touchdowns on 71 attempts
32) QB Lamar Jackson | Ravens | N/A | N/A
Jackson went out of his way to not let his speed overshine his arm both at the combine and Louisville’s Pro Day — not running at either. Fighting the perception he wasn’t going to cut it as a quarterback and needed to switch positions, Jackson seemingly made the right choice, getting selected in the first round as a passer.
Jackson would light up the NFL with his legs when eventually getting the starting nod in Week 11. Jackson rushed for 695 yards and five touchdowns on 147 attempts throughout the season and set the NFL’s single-game rushing record for a quarterback in his first start.
2018 NFL draft – First round
| Pick | Team | Player | Position | 40-yard dash time | Ranking |
| 1 | Cleveland Browns | Baker Mayfield | QB | 4.84 | 8th |
| 2 | New York Giants | Saquon Barkley | RB | 4.40 | 2nd |
| 3 | New York Jets | Sam Darnold | QB | 4.85 | 9th |
| 4 | Cleveland Browns | Denzel Ward | CB | 4.32 | 1st |
| 5 | Denver Broncos | Bradley Chubb | DE | 4.65 | 3rd |
| 6 | Indianapolis Colts | Quenton Nelson | G | N/A | N/A |
| 7 | Buffalo Bills | Josh Allen | QB | 4.75 | 3rd |
| 8 | Chicago Bears | Roquan Smith | LB | 4.51 | 2nd |
| 9 | San Francisco 49ers | Mike McGlinchey | T | N/A | N/A |
| 10 | Arizona Cardinals | Josh Rosen | QB | 4.92 | 13th |
| 11 | Miami Dolphins | Minkah Fitzpatrick | CB | 4.46 | 11th |
| 12 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Vita Vea | DT | 5.10 | 9th |
| 13 | Washington Redskins | Daron Payne | DT | 4.95 | 2nd |
| 14 | New Orleans Saints | Marcus Davenport | DE | 4.58 | 1st |
| 15 | Oakland Raiders | Kolton Miller | T | 4.95 | 3rd |
| 16 | Buffalo Bills | Tremaine Edmunds | LB | 4.54 | 5th |
| 17 | Los Angeles Chargers | Derwin James | S | 4.47 | 8th |
| 18 | Green Bay Packers | Jaire Alexander | CB | 4.38 | 6th |
| 19 | Dallas Cowboys | Leighton Vander Esch | LB | 4.65 | 14th |
| 20 | Detroit Lions | Frank Ragnow | C | N/A | N/A |
| 21 | Cincinnati Bengals | Billy Price | C | N/A | N/A |
| 22 | Tennessee Titans | Rashaan Evans | LB | N/A | N/A |
| 23 | New England Patriots | Isaiah Wynn | OL | N/A | N/A |
| 24 | Carolina Panthers | D.J. Moore | WR | 4.42 | 5th |
| 25 | Baltimore Ravens | Hayden Hurst | TE | 4.67 | 3rd |
| 26 | Atlanta Falcons | Calvin Ridley | WR | 4.43 | 6th |
| 27 | Seattle Seahawks | Rashaad Penny | RB | 4.46 | 3rd |
| 28 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Terrell Edmunds | S | 4.47 | 8th |
| 29 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Taven Bryan | DT | 4.98 | 4th |
| 30 | Minnesota Vikings | Mike Hughes | CB | 4.53 | 25th |
| 31 | New England Patriots | Sony Michel | RB | 4.54 | 10th |
| 32 | Baltimore Ravens | Lamar Jackson | QB | N/A | N/A |
