Speed Kills: Who Are the Fastest Players in the NFL?
Straight-line speed and play speed are two very different things; however, both can be extremely useful in today’s NFL. A fast, agile cornerback can neutralize an offense that likes to throw deep. An acceleration guru at the running back position can allow teams to utilize pulling guards to clear paths on run plays. Speedy wideouts who can move well laterally can change the game in the blink of an eye, whether that is on a short screen pass or deep-shot past the safeties. Speed remains one of the most sought-after assets in players across the league, and here are the fastest players in the NFL today.
Tyreek Hill, WR, Dolphins
Tyreek Hill remains the golden standard for speed in the league, as his ability to simply travel across the field, laterally or on a go-route, changes the way defenses need to play him. He is a player you cannot press, but zone is nearly impossible, too, as his agility creates havoc for defenses and allows the Dolphins to pretty much do whatever they want on offense. The former Chief and college track star can take a pass to the endzone on any given play, and he remains the only player in the NFL to have that ability. Sure, some guys will be mentioned later in this list who can explode on any down, but Hill’s speed is just different. It is hard to put into words how game-changing he is, which is why he is the first player on this list.
Chase Brown, RB, Bengals
Chase Brown has silently become one of the best workhorse running backs in the NFL, and it is mostly due to his elite acceleration and breakaway speed. Brown is one of those players who may not look like they are moving as fast as they are, as he is a shorter, stockier guy, but next-gen stats prove that he is up there with the fastest backs in the league. In 2023, Chase Brown took a swing pass to the house and hit a jaw-dropping speed of 22.05 miles per hour; this made him the second-fastest recorded player in the NFL that year. In 2024, the Bengals realized his ability to not only do damage out of the backfield, but behind blockers as well. This is because of how well he sees the field and how quickly he can get the kick into high gear.
Xavier Worthy, WR, Chiefs
The Chiefs saw Xavier Worthy’s record-breaking 4.21 40-yard dash time and took him in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, which paid off big time as he was one of Patrick Mahomes’ top targets in just his rookie year. Worthy might not be as shifty as the other guys on this list, but based purely on straight-line, breakaway speed, he needs to be included. Worthy is not as savvy with his quickness as the veterans like Hill, but he could very well turn into one of the more dangerous wideouts in the league because of his rare speed. He weighs less than 180 pounds, but it doesn't seem to affect his game, as he can evade big hits due to his top-tier agility and field vision.
De’Von Achane, RB, Dolphins
De’Von Achane has that kind of speed that just jumps off the screen. His initial burst after taking a handoff is up there with the quickest that the NFL has ever seen. Achane is different than most running backs, as he offers Tua Tagovailoa a phenomenal option out of the backfield as a pass-catcher. The ex-Texas A&M sprinter won the number one spot in just his rookie year and is continuing to impress heading into year three. Whenever he has the football, a long run or screen pass to the house could be coming soon.
