Why Predict 40 Times?

That blazing Combine 40 time gets everyone excited. But it can also turn an intriguing fantasy prospect into an overrated bust.

That’s a mistake.

Watching the Combine and reacting to eye-popping workouts often leads to double-counting a player’s traits. Wow, this guy is super athletic. Move him up the board! That might seem to make sense, but that athleticism was already baked into his evaluation. Double-count that speed, and you’re likely to overdraft the player. Fantasy managers do it. NFL teams do it, too.

Take WR Kyle Williams in 2025. He ran a 4.40-second 40-yard dash, but the film already showed strong straight-line speed. His stock rose after he timed well. Williams climbed into the top 100 and ultimately went 69th overall. He delivered a disappointing rookie season, with speed as his only standout trait. Consider it a cautionary tale.

That’s why I predict 40 times every season. I compare what I think a player will run – how fast he looks on film – to the actual number.

If the numbers are close, the evaluation stays the same. If the time is much faster or slower than expected, I adjust my rankings.

I’m expecting Mississippi State WR Brenen Thompson to run in the 4.2s or low 4.3s, for example. His speed already makes him a fringe top-100 pick. Double-count it, and he jumps into the NFL Draft’s top 50 and first-round rookie draft territory. 

If that happens, he’ll be overdrafted.

Not every player listed will run at the Combine, if they run at all. But predicting their speed still helps. It puts a number on the athleticism.

TIP

 Check out our Dynasty Rookie Rankings before and after the Combine!

40 Time Predictions (2026)

Here are 40-yard dash predictions for every skill player at the NFL Combine.

QB 40 Time Predictions

Player School 40-Time Prediction
Taylen Green Arkansas 4.55
Diego Pavia Vanderbilt 4.60
Haynes King Georgia Tech 4.60
Cade KlubnikClemson4.64
Jalon DanielsKansas4.65
Cole PaytonNorth Dakota State4.68
Ty SimpsonAlabama4.72
Drew AllarPenn State4.73
Fernando MendozaIndiana4.75
Carson BeckMiami4.76
Joe FagnanoUConn4.77
Sawyer RobertsonBaylor4.78
Luke AltmyerIllinois4.82
Behren MortonTexas Tech4.86
Garrett NussmeierLSU4.87

RB 40 Time Predictions

Player School 40-Time Prediction
Demond Claiborne Wake Forest 4.37
Nick Singleton Penn State 4.38
Emmett Johnson Nebraska 4.41
Noah WhittingtonOregon4.41
Desmond ReidPittsburgh4.42
Jadarian PriceNotre Dame4.43
Rahsul FaisonSouth Carolina4.43
Jeremiyah LoveNotre Dame4.44
Mike Washington Jr.Arkansas4.45
Robert Henry Jr.UTSA4.46
J'Mari TaylorVirginia4.51
Roman HembyIndiana4.52
Jamarion MillerAlabama4.52
Le'Veon MossTexas A&M4.54
Seth McGowanKentucky4.54
Kaytron AllenPenn State4.58
Adam RandallClemson4.58
Jonah ColemanWashington4.59
CJ DonaldsonOhio State4.65

WR 40 Time Predictions

Player School 40-Time Prediction
Brenen Thompson Mississippi State 4.29
Chris Hilton LSU 4.30
Barion Brown LSU 4.35
Zachariah BranchGeorgia4.35
K.C. ConcepcionTexas A&M4.37
Emmanuel HendersonKansas4.38
Deion BurksOklahoma4.39
Malik BensonOregon4.39
Aaron AndersonLSU4.41
Jalen WalthallIncarnate Word4.41
Kaden WetjenIowa4.41
Kendrick LawKentucky4.42
Chris Brazzell IIITennessee4.43
Jordyn TysonArizona State4.43
Kevin Coleman Jr.Missouri4.43
Omar Cooper Jr.Indiana4.43
Eric RiversGeorgia Tech4.44
J. Michael SturdivantFlorida4.44
Antonio WilliamsClemson4.46
Carnell TateOhio State4.46
Reggie VirgilTexas Tech4.47
Caulin LacyLouisville4.48
Harrison Wallace IIIOle Miss4.48
Ted HurstGeorgia State4.48
Bryce LanceNorth Dakota State4.49
Germie BernardAlabama4.49
Makai LemonUSC4.49
Eric McAlisterTCU4.50
Denzel BostonWashington4.50
De'Zhaun StriblingOle Miss4.51
Zavion ThomasLSU4.51
Caleb DouglasTexas Tech4.52
Vinnie Anthony IIWisconsin4.52
Jeff CaldwellCincinnati4.53
Skyler BellUConn4.53
CJ DanielsMiami4.54
Donoven McCulleyMichigan4.55
Ja'Kobi LaneUSC4.55
Josh CameronBaylor4.55
Colbie YoungGeorgia4.56
Eli HeidenreichNavy4.56
Jordan HudsonSMU4.56
Chris BellLouisville4.57
Malachi FieldsNotre Dame4.57
Dillon BellGeorgia4.61
Elijah SarrattIndiana4.61
Chase RobertsBYU4.62

TE 40 Time Predictions

Player School 40-Time Prediction
Jaren KanakOklahoma4.54
Khalil Dinkins Penn State 4.55
Kenyon Sadiq Oregon 4.55
Eli Stowers Vanderbilt 4.58
Marlin KleinMichigan4.66
Michael TriggBaylor4.68
John Michael GyllenborgWyoming4.69
Max KlareOhio State4.69
Justin JolyNC State4.71
Miles KitselmanTennessee4.73
Tanner KoziolHouston4.73
DJ RogersTCU4.75
Eli RaridonNotre Dame4.75
Jack EndriesTexas4.77
Matthew HibnerSMU4.77
RJ MarylandSMU4.77
Riley NowakowskiIndiana4.78
Oscar DelpGeorgia4.79
Bauer SharpLSU4.82
Dae'quan WrightOle Miss4.83
Joe RoyerCincinnati4.83
Nate BoerkircherTexas A&M4.83
Sam RoushStanford4.84
Josh CuevasAlabama4.86
Will KacmarekOhio State4.87
Dallen BentleyUtah4.88

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