The 2024 NFL Draft figures to see three quarterbacks taken in the top five picks, if not sooner. Of those three, LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels seems to be the consensus no. 3, but others might argue he should be ranked ahead of someone like North Carolina's Drake Maye.
The vast majority believe it will be USC's Caleb Williams going no. 1 overall, though.
No matter where you sit in respect to ranking the three quarterbacks, they all have one thing in common: none are going to test at this year's Combine. But, with Daniels being a true dual-threat, people want to know, just how fast would he run the 40-yard dash?
We have seen past reports of Daniels' supposedly running a 4.5 during his time at Arizona State, so let's use that number for this purpose since he didn’t run the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
As for how Daniels would compare to the all-time quarterback times, let's check in on the top five.
Where would his 40 time rank all-time at the quarterback position?
Player | Time (year) |
|---|---|
1. Michael Vick | 4.33 (2001) |
2. Reggie McNeal | 4.40 (2006) |
3. Robert Griffin III | 4.41 (2012) |
4. Anthony Richardson | 4.43 (2023) |
5. Justin Fields | 4.45 (2021) |
Daniels is awfully close to a guy like Justin Fields and, if he's anything like Fields is as a runner, he's going to be quite the exciting player as a pro.
Speaking of pros, how about we check back on the fastest times in NFL history, regardless of position?
Fastest 40-yard dash times in NFL history:
Player | 40-yard dash time (year) |
|---|---|
1. John Ross, WR | 4.22 (2017) |
T1. Donte' Stallworth, WR | 4.22 (2002) |
3. Kalon Barnes, CB | 4.23 (2022) |
4. Chris Johnson, RB | 4.24 (2008) |
5. DJ Turner II, CB | 4.26 (2023) |
T5. Dri Archer, WR | 4.26 (2014) |
T5. Tariq Woolen, CB | 4.26 (2022) |
8. Henry Ruggs III, WR | 4.27 (2020) |
T8. Anthony Schwartz, WR | 4.27 (2021) |
T8. Marquise Goodwin, WR | 4.27 (2013) |
You'll hear it nonstop over the weekend. The 40-yard dash has no bearing on future NFL success, as evidenced by the above numbers and names. But, that doesn't take away from the event, itself, being a whole lot of fun to watch.
Where will Daniels be taking his dual-threat ability in this year's draft? Will it be as high as no. 3 overall to New England? Will another team trade up to ensure they get their hands on him? We'll have to wait and see.