The NFL Combine always has the need for speed. This year’s set of prospects is providing plenty of it. In literal fashion, the 2026 NFL Combine has been the fastest at every single position, a fact that should excite the Pittsburgh Steelers. Not just the guys you’d expect to be fast, like the defensive backs. The tight ends, the defensive linemen, all burned up Indy’s track with record collective times.
As the below NFL Network graphic illustrated, records were set across the board this year.
The safeties and defensive backs in general also set position groups record.
This safety group averaged a 4.42s 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, per @KeeganAbdoo of Next Gen Stats
That’s the fastest safety group at the Combine since at least 2003
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) February 27, 2026
Even at these elite levels, there were standouts. Ohio State LB Sonny Styles enjoyed one of the freakiest workouts ever, one that earned a valid comparison to WR Calvin Johnson. Defensive linemen repeatedly dipped not just under 5 seconds but faster than 4.9. Three of them in Zane Durant, Kaleb Proctor, and DeMonte Capehart. All 290-plus pounds.
At tight end, records fell all Friday night. Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq and Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers put up freak-show outings. At safety, Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman cemented himself as a first-round pick.
The receivers were plenty fast, too. Eleven of them sub 4-4 with Mississippi State’s Brenan Thompson leaving Indy as its fastest prospect, turning in a 4.26.
And it wasn’t just the top performers skewing the numbers upward. The groups were consistently fast. Rarely did any prospect turn in a “bad” time. Only in comparison did a 4.49 from a safety look “slow” sitting next to his peers. Our tracker, putting all the numbers in one and easy place, maps it out well.
For comparison’s sake, here’s the number of 40s run in 4.4 seconds or faster by the decade: 2000 to 2010 to 2020 to 2026.
Year 40s 4.4 Or Better
2026 29
2020 13
2010 21
2000 3
This year didn’t break the record of 33 held by the ’22 class, but it nudged the 27 of last year and 26 of the 2008 group. To put that in perspective, 29 players have run 4.4 or better in 2026. Only eight have run in the 5-second range. The offensive line set to run today will obviously add to that total but it’s fair to say by Combine’s end, there will still be more 4.4 players than those in the 5s.
There might be bias in play. Fast players want to run to earn their buzz. Slow players would rather skip the 40, lest they look even worse than stacked up to the guy who blazed a 4.3-something in front of him. The Combine is lucky if half a position group tries the 40. At running back, only 10 of 21 invites ran. At d-line, just 15 of 29 took up the challenge.
Still, the speed on display at Indianapolis is undeniable. That’s good news for the Steelers. A team lacking it at certain positions. If Kenneth Gainwell signs elsewhere, running back becomes a need and Pittsburgh could use an infusion of speed. For as much good as Jaylen Warren and Gainwell offered in 2025, the two combined for just eight runs of 20-plus yards.
Adding speed at receiver was a goal achieved over the past several years. Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, DK Metcalf. But the team could use a high-caliber speedster with a ceiling higher than Austin and Wilson, capable of starting sooner than later. Even tight ends are worthy of a look knowing Darnell Washington and Pat Freiermuth are far from burners.
Defensively, speed always plays well. The Steelers could stand to get younger and faster at cornerback after the team’s struck out on over-the-hill veterans to play the position. Safety, too, especially for a future past 2026 that likely doesn’t have Jalen Ramsey in it. Under a new coaching staff, maybe not DeShon Elliott, either.
Speed is just one trait. Fast times in the 40 aren’t guarantees of NFL success. There are countless examples of that and some names from 2026 will add to the cautionary tales. But speed is one thing that can’t be coached and without it, it’s hard to thrive. A great tackler doesn’t stand a chance if he’s beat to every corner. A dynamic receiver changes how a defense plays offenses. The good news is when everyone’s fast, you can find the player with speed and good tape.
There’s a reason why the 40 is the highlight. The 2026 group showed out and Pittsburgh should benefit from such a wide range of options.
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