Wide Receiver 40 Times Don't Always Translate

The Tennessee Titans are looking to add more speed to their roster for the coming season, but speed isn't the most important characteristic when it comes to receivers.

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

NASHVILLE - Speed kills, and it's far better to have too much rather than not enough on a football field. Teams that can run are, at times, the teams that have more success. 

That's why the Tennessee Titans have emphasized getting faster with their newest free-agent additions and potentially in the upcoming NF Draft.     

However, looking at the fastest receivers over the past 14 seasons, it might be a surprise that being the fastest doesn't guarantee great success. 

John Ross turned in the fastest time ever recorded at the combine by a receiver, as the former Washington Husky ran a blistering 4.22 in Indianapolis. 

Despite that speed, Ross, like the rest of the top 10 fastest receivers from the combine during those 14 years, has all failed to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in a single NFL season. 

Ross' best career season came in 2019 when he posted 28 receptions for 506 yards and three touchdowns.

Others like Henry Ruggs, Marquise Goodwin, Tyquan Thornton, J.J. Nelson, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Velus Jones Jr., Paris Campbell, and Andy Isabella all turned in blazing runs during their combine auditions. Still, all failed to surpass that elusive 1,000-yard milestone. 

 Granted, Ruggs, who posted the next fastest time at 4.27, had his career cut short after just two seasons by his foolish actions. Still, his best season included just 24 receptions for 469 yards and two scores.     

Much has been made of the times of the receivers in the 2023 NFL draft class. While being able to outrun defenders is a coveted trait, a more converted one is catching the football regularly and posting higher catch numbers, yards, and touchdowns than those mentioned above who ran faster but failed to produce elite numbers.  

So as we draft closer to draft day, perhaps we should look past the blistering speed and find the guys who are football players first and can get the job done despite earning that "burner" label.