The NFL started tracking ball-carrier top speeds through its “Next Gen Stats” feature in 2018. Since then, it has become a fun task to check in and see who the fastest players were each week throughout the season.
When known speedsters like Dolphins star Tyreek Hill or Chiefs rookie Xavier Worthy break off a big play, fans know they can track down how many miles per hour their favorite fantasy football players were running.
In 2023, DK Metcalf’s 73-yard touchdown reception against the Cowboys in Week 13 clocked in at 22.23 miles per hour, which was the fastest ball-career speed of the season.
Did Hill’s 80-yard Week 1 touchdown against the Jaguars come close to reaching that mark? The Sporting News takes a closer look at the fastest speeds this season.
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Fastest NFL speeds 2024 through Week 5
Hill might be one of the fastest players in the NFL, but his 80-yard touchdown in Week 1 is no longer even in the top 10 among the top speeds this season.
Texans wide receiver Nico Collins reached the fastest speed of opening week, getting up to 21.89 miles per hour on a 55-yard reception against the Colts in Week 1.
There was speed all over that Houston-Indianapolis game, as Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce achieved one of the top-four fastest speeds, while Colts kick returner Anthony Gould achieved the third-fastest speed at the time, and now is at fifth.
In Week 2, Jerome Ford’s 36-yard run against the Jaguars clocked in the second-fastest time in 2024. Weeks 3 and 4 saw veteran running backs Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry surge up the charts with lengthy rushing touchdowns.
Week 5 saw rookie Jaguars Brian Thomas Jr. become the first ball carrier to break 22 miles per hour in 2024, setting a new standard for speed in the league.
You can find the 10 top speeds through Week 5 of the NFL season below.
| Rank | Player | Team | Speed (MPH) | Play Type |
| 1. | Brian Thomas | JAX | 22.15 | 85-yard TD reception |
| 2. | Nico Collins | HOU | 21.89 | 55-yard reception |
| 3. | Saquon Barkley | PHI | 21.66 | 65-yard TD run |
| 4. | Xavier Worthy | KC | 21.46 | 54-yard TD reception |
| 5. | Ja’Marr Chase | CIN | 21.42 | 70-yard TD reception |
| 6. | Jerome Ford | CLE | 21.29 | 36-yard run |
| 7. | Derrick Henry | BAL | 21.29 | 87-yard TD run |
| 8. | Brandin Echols | NYJ | 21.27 | Defensive coverage |
| Kyler Murray | ARI | 21.27 | 50-yard TD run | |
| 10. | Alec Pierce | IND | 21.21 | 60-yard TD reception |
Fastest NFL 40-yard dash times
Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy broke the NFL Draft Combine record for the fastest 40-yard dash time in history this past offseason, clocking in at 4.21 seconds. It took him one week to put that speed on display in a real game, recording two touchdowns in his debut with Kansas City.
His record 40-time surpassed former Bengals and Giants wide receiver John Ross, who ran a 4.22 at the 2017 NFL Draft Combine.
Surprisingly, Hill does not rank in the top 10 in NFL history for fastest 40-yard dash times. He ran an unofficial 4.29 during his 2016 Pro Day but did not participate in the NFL Draft Combine.
| 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 | — | — |
