Vikings wide receiver Mike Wallace says he is the NFL's fastest player

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Mike Wallace says he is the NFL’s fastest player

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Mike Wallace says he is the NFL's fastest player and challenges anyone who wants to dispute that claim.

Wallace, who was traded from the Miami Dolphins to Minnesota in March, says his personal best in the 40-yard dash is 4.21 seconds.

The NFL combine record is 4.24, set by Chris Johnson in 2008, and the fastest time at this year’s combine was by UAB wide receiver J.J. Nelson, who ran a 4.28 before being drafted in the fifth round by the Arizona Cardinals.

Wallace ran a 4.33 40 at the 2009 combine before being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“Without a doubt, I’m the fastest player in the NFL,” Wallace told the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “If somebody feels foggy about that, we can [race]. I’m never going to back down from competition.

“I’ve run a lot of routes and I’ve got a lot of miles on my legs, but I still feel that there’s nobody [in the NFL] who can run with me. I might have slowed down a little, but I could still run 4.25.”

• BURKE: 2016 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

Wallace, 28, says it is his own fault that he didn't use his speed more effectively in Miami.

“There are a lot of things I could have done better and there are things some other people could have done better,” Wallace said. “When you separate, you still have to connect. ... But I’m not going to blame [Ryan] Tannehill. He’s a great guy, a great worker. I’ll take the blame. It’s my fault. I’ll do better.”

Wallace signed a five-year, $60 million deal with Miami in 2013. He caught 67 passes for 862 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.

- Scooby Axson