NFL
Ranking the 10 Fastest Players in NFL 2025
In the National Football League, speed kills. It’s only logic that even among the best athletes to ever grace the NFL field, the fastest are often the most dreaded. Over the 100 years of the NFL existence, countless speed freaks have electrified fans with other-worldly accomplishments and jaw-dropping moments. Although pure speed doesn’t always guarantee a favorable outcome, many of the fastest players to ever play in the NFL have enjoyed immense careers.
Tyreek Hill//Getty Images
The NFL measures straight-line speed at a yearly NFL combine to determine the 40-yard dash records. John Ross broke the 40-yard dash record in 2017 with a blazing 4.22- second dash, but that speed does not always translate to the field. For instance, the greatest wide receiver of all time, Jerry Rice, only ran a 4.71 40-yard dash yet displayed elite on-field speed with pads on. This has led SportsBoom to look beyond the 40-yard dash times in exploring the most dangerous playmaking speed stars that graced the gridiron in the 2024/2025 season. A combined evaluation of recorded speed and an eye test has established these 10 players as the fastest in 2025.
Methodology and Key Metrics Used
The ranking is based on measurable and verified data:
Recorded Speeds (60%): Top speeds achieved in-game or at the NFL Combine.
Game Impact (20%): Performance during key plays, touchdowns, and game-changing moments.
Consistency (10%): Frequency of high-speed plays over a season or career.
Position Versatility (10%): Ability to use speed effectively in different roles (e.g. wide receiver, return specialist).
Sources Used:
- Fox Sports:
- Pro Football Network
Critical Consensus: Ranking the Fastest NFL Players
The Critical consensus takes into account the recorded speed in miles per hour to derive who has the highest score. It also highlights each player’s notable play while also showcasing the rank from the two sources i.e. Fox Sports and Pro Football Network.
Critical Consensus Table
| Rank | Player | Fox Sports Rank | Pro Football Network Rank | Recorded Speed (MPH) | Notable Plays |
| 1. | Tyreek Hill | 3 | 1 | 23.24 | Fastest recorded speed in NFL history (2016), multiple 21+ MPH plays (2023). |
| 2. | DK Metcalf | 1 | 5 | 22.23 | 73-yard TD catch, fastest speed in 2023. |
| 3. | Chase Brown | 2 | 10 | 22.05 | 54-yard TD in 2023, second-fastest speed of the year. |
| 4. | De’Von Achane | 4 | 3 | 21.93 | Two top-six speeds in 2023, averaging 7.8 YPC. |
| 5. | KaVonta e Turpin | 5 | 6 | 21.91 | Kick return specialist, fifth-highest speed of 2023. |
| 6. | Raheem Mostert | 6 | 4 | 21.62 | Two top speeds in 2020, Pro Bowl nod in 2023. |
| 7. | Jaylen Waddle | NR | 9 | 21.5+ | One of the league’s most explosive route runners. |
| 8. | Kenneth Walker III | 7 | NR | 21.56 | Key speedster for Seattle Seahawks. |
| 9. | Ja’Marr Chase | 8 | NR | 21.54 | Consistently among top ball carriers in terms of speed. |
| 10. | Riq Woolen | NR | 7 | 21.4+ | Defensive back with top speeds recorded in interceptions. |
SportsBoom MetaScale: Ranking the Fastest NFL Players
The SportsBoom MetaScale evaluates players on weighted categories such as: speed, game impact, consistency and versatility.
SportsBoom MetaScale Table
| Rank | Player | Speed (60%) | Game Impact (20%) | Consistency (10%) | Versatility (10%) | MetaScale Score |
| 1. | Tyreek Hill | 60 | 20 | 8 | 10 | 98 |
| 2. | DK Metcalf | 58 | 18 | 7 | 9 | 92 |
| 3. | Chase Brown | 57 | 18 | 7 | 8 | 90 |
| 4. | De’Von Achane | 56 | 17 | 8 | 9 | 90 |
| 5. | KaVontae Turpin | 55 | 16 | 7 | 10 | 88 |
| 6. | Raheem Mostert | 54 | 17 | 8 | 9 | 88 |
| 7. | Jaylen Waddle | 53 | 16 | 8 | 9 | 86 |
| 8. | Kenneth Walker III | 52 | 15 | 7 | 9 | 83 |
| 9. | Ja’Marr Chase | 51 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 81 |
| 10. | Riq Woolen | 50 | 14 | 6 | 10 | 80 |
These are insights about the speed performance of each player as guided by the SportsBoom MetaScale.
1. Tyreek Hill
You don’t get nicknamed the ‘Cheetah’ by just been fast. Tyreek Hill possess a combination of electrifying pace, rapid acceleration, top-end speed, nimble footwork and elusiveness that has morphed him into a game-changing force in the NFL. He showcases rare consistent dominance whenever he graces the football field for the Miami Dolphins’. Despite turning 30 years old, his speed skillset remains unaltered, making him unguardable and a nightmare for even the best defensive backs. At this pace, Hill is well on his way to a Hall of Fame career, considering that he ignored the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine but registered a 4.29 at his pro day.
The Miami Dolphins’ wide receiver Tyreek Hill has hit top-speed marks north of 21 mph in each season he’s played in since 2018, including a display speed of 22.01 mph on a 64-yard touchdown reception in 2023.
2. DK Metcalf
DK Metcalf is the second fastest NFL player, boasting a combination of extraordinary speed and meteoric power, while delivering stunning plays whenever he graces the pitch as a wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks. Metcalf is a walking cheat code that is often the envy of many franchises within the league, as he is one of the main reasons the Seahawks are a constant menace in the NFC West division.
3. Chase Brown
Chase Brown’s exceptional speed and ability to offer highlight reel plays sees him rank in third position, only losing ground on second position due to his speed and versatile score being lower by a single mark respectively. The Cincinnati Bengals’ running back and return specialist is, however, the fastest running back in the league and his one-two punch with franchise quarterback Joe Burrow is a sight to behold.
4. De’Von Achane
De’Von Achane is the fourth fastest NFL player and second fastest running back. He is a live wire and a key cog in Miami Dolphins’ speed-focused offense. He registers the same meta score as Chase Brown but has a slightly lower speed and his game impact is affected due to Dolphins’ possessing an array of speed demons on offense.
5. KaVontae Turpin
KaVontae Turpin is a phenomenal wide receiver and return specialist for the Dallas Cowboys. He is the fifth fastest NFL player and has matched Tyreek Hill’s flawless versatile score with a ten. Turpin’s versatility is one of the Cowboys’ offensive weapons on most game days, with his hair-raising performances bringing unrivaled joy to many Cowboys fans.
6. Raheem Mostert
Raheem Mostert is the veteran Miami Dolphins’ running back. He achieves a balanced score across the MetaScale table, displaying why he is a vital piece for Miami Dolphins’ speed-focused offense. Mostert combines elite route-running within unparalleled agility to much satisfaction.
7. Jaylen Waddle
Jaylen Waddle is another Dolphins wide receiver that makes this list, highlighting how crucial speed is to Mike McDaniel’s offense. He is the seventh fastest NFL player and also one of the league’s most explosive route runners. With him and Tyreek Hill on the field together, defenses are often in limbo as they are left to ponder on which poison to pick, hoping it will bear the least damage.
8. Kenneth Walker III
The Seattle Seahawks running back possess an explosive speedster. Kenneth Walker III plays with exiting youthfulness and is the eight fastest NFL player. He will certainly climb up the rankings in future, as he is one of the hardest workers on his team observing a strict training regime and off-field discipline that is a model to aspiring athletes.
9. Ja’Marr Chase
Ja’Marr Chase is one of the best ball carriers in terms of speed. The Cincinnati Bengals’ wide receiver combines terrific speed and elusiveness, much to the detriment of opposing teams. He is the ninth fastest NFL player and one of the reasons the Bengals have one of the deadliest high-scoring offenses in the NFL.
10. Riq Woolen
Riq Woolen is the tenth fastest NFL player and also the fastest cornerback in the NFL. The Seattle Seahawks’ athletic freak is a nightmare for opposing offenses. He combines stunning athleticism, unique speed and acceleration and is the third person to attain a perfect versatile score. Woolen is on his way to mirroring cornerback legends such as Deion “Prime Time” Sanders, if he can consistently showcase electrifying performances.
SportsBoom Suggests
Tyreek Hill remains the undisputed fastest NFL player with an other-worldly speed that is game changing and a dominance that terrorizes opponents into instant dread.
DK Metcalf and Chase Brown are highlight reel monsters that are equipped with freakish speed and acceleration as well as impressive physical prowess.
De’Von Achane, Raheem Mostert and Jaylen Waddle are a testament to the Miami Dolphins’ speed-focused offense, that when in full-swing is often a nightmare for defensive coordinators in the NFL.
Riq Woolen is a breath of fresh air and a reminder of how a cornerback’s speed and athleticism can impose fear on opposing quarterbacks.
Speed has always been a critical asset in the NFL, allowing players to make game-changing plays. From Tyreek Hill’s unmatched explosiveness to DK Metcalf’s physical prowess, the fastest players in the NFL leave fans and analysts in awe.
References
- 1
Ranking the 10 Fastest NFL Players in 2024: Who’s Chasing Tyreek Hill, Xavier Worthy, and De’Von Achane?Pro Football Network, https://www.profootballnetwork.com/fastest-nfl-players/. Accessed 23 Feb.2025.
- 2
10 Fastest NFL players: Tyreek Hill, DK Metcalf among top speedsters. Fox Sports, https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/fastest-nfl-players. Accessed 23 Feb.2025.
Ian Mugo Wanyeki is based in Nairobi, Kenya. He is a sports enthusiast with vast knowledge of different sport disciplines. Ian is a graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Kenyatta University. He is a Kenyan journalist who’s worked as a sports analyst at Covenant Television Network, as a sports reporter at NTV and as a Sports Correspondent/contributor at Quartz Africa.