The NFL’s “Next Gen Stats,” introduced in 2018, tracks ball-carrier speeds during games, providing fans a fascinating look at the fastest plays each week. Notable speedsters like Tyreek Hill and rookie Xavier Worthy are often featured for their impressive performances, letting fans measure their favorite players’ top speeds in real-time. In 2023, DK Metcalf achieved the season’s fastest speed with a 22.23 mph run during a 73-yard touchdown against the Cowboys in Week 13. Despite his reputation, Hill’s notable Week 1 performance in an 80-yard touchdown against the Jaguars failed to make the top 10 fastest plays of the season.
Through Week 11 of the 2024 season, other players have outpaced Hill. Texans receiver Nico Collins recorded the fastest speed in Week 1, hitting 21.89 mph on a 55-yard catch against the Colts. That same game also saw two Colts players, Alec Pierce and Anthony Gould, achieving impressive speeds, though neither remained in the top 10 as the season progressed. In Week 2, Jerome Ford clocked the second-fastest speed of the year with a 36-yard run. Weeks 3 and 4 featured standout rushing performances by Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry, while Week 5 saw Jaguars rookie Brian Thomas Jr. become the first player in 2024 to exceed 22 mph.
KaVontae Turpin of the Cowboys ultimately claimed the title of fastest NFL player in 2024 with a blistering 22.36 mph dash during a 64-yard touchdown reception against the Texans in Week 11. The table below shows the top speeds through Week 5:
| Rank | Player | Team | Speed (MPH) | Play Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KaVontae Turpin | DAL | 22.36 | 64-yard TD reception |
| 2 | Brian Thomas | JAX | 22.15 | 85-yard TD reception |
| 3 | Jahmyr Gibbs | DET | 22.03 | 70-yard TD rush |
| 4 | Saquon Barkley | PHI | 21.93 | 55-yard rush |
| 5 | Nico Collins | HOU | 21.89 | 55-yard reception |
| 6 | Jahmyr Gibbs | DET | 21.80 | 54-yard reception |
| 7 | Jordan Addison | MIN | 21.80 | 51-yard reception |
| 8 | Derrick Henry | BAL | 21.72 | 81-yard rush |
| Saquon Barkley | PHI | 21.72 | 19-yard TD rush | |
| 10 | Saquon Barkley | PHI | 21.66 | 65-yard TD rush |
In addition to in-game speeds, the NFL Draft Combine remains a highlight for measuring raw speed. In 2024, Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy broke the Combine record with a 4.21-second 40-yard dash, surpassing John Ross’s 2017 record of 4.22 seconds. Worthy quickly demonstrated this speed during his NFL debut, scoring two touchdowns. Interestingly, despite his reputation, Hill’s unofficial 4.29-second Pro Day 40-yard dash does not place him in the top 10 of all-time NFL Combine speeds.
| Rank | Player | 40 Time | Year | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Xavier Worthy | 4.21 | 2024 | WR |
| 2 | John Ross | 4.22 | 2017 | WR |
| 3 | Kalon Barnes | 4.23 | 2022 | CB |
| 4 | Chris Johnson | 4.24 | 2008 | RB |
| T-5 | Dri Archer | 4.26 | 2014 | RB |
| Tariq Woolen | 4.26 | 2022 | DB | |
| DJ Turner | 4.26 | 2023 | CB | |
| T-8 | Marquise Goodwin | 4.27 | 2013 | WR |
| Henry Ruggs III | 4.27 | 2020 | WR | |
| T-10 | Five tied | 4.28 | — | — |
