NBA Best Bets of the Day (12/2)
Alex Christenson
I have the need, the need for speed.
The 2024 NFL Combine is here, and FanDuel Sportsbook has posted several bets for this week’s event in Indianapolis. My favorites center on the most popular event: the 40-yard dash.
As with all speed records in sports, the average 40-yard dash has continuously dropped as athletes have become stronger, faster and started to train specifically for the combine events. In 2010, the average speed at the combine among all players tested was 4.81 seconds. In 2022, just 12 years later, the average time had dropped a full tenth of a second to 4.71. That is a massive drop in a relatively short period of time.
The NFL Combine schedule is separated by positional groups, which means different positions will run the 40-yard dash on different days. The defensive linemen and linebackers will run the 40-yard dash Thursday, Feb. 29; followed by the defensive backs and tight ends Friday; the running backs, quarterbacks and wide receivers Saturday; and the offensive linemen and specialists concluding Sunday.
Let’s take a look at the best 40-yard dash bets for the 2024 Combine.
Fastest 40-Yard Dash Time
While the overall average times across all the Combine are getting faster, this is still a tough time to break. Only seven players in NFL history have run a faster record time than 4.275 seconds:
- 2017: John Ross, Washington: 4.22
- 2022: Kalon Barnes, Baylor: 4.23
- 2008: Chris Johnson, East Carolina: 4.24
- 2023: DJ Turner, Michigan: 4.26
- 2022: Tariq Woolen, UTSA: 4.26
- 2014: Dri Archer, Kent State: 4.26
- 2020: Henry Ruggs, Alabama: 4.27
- 2013: Marquise Goodwin, Texas: 4.27
The 4.28 time has been such a common ceiling that FanDuel has now added the critical five thousandths of a second to gain an unnoticeable, but critical betting advantage. While there are some fantastic burners in this class. I’m backing the over 4.275 seconds on FanDuel.
The Bet
Over 4.275 Seconds (-114, FanDuel)
Fastest Overall 40-Yard Dash Time
Texas Tech safety Tyler Owens has a very good chance to be the fastest player at this year’s Combine. He actually posted a 10.29 mark in the 100 meters in high school, and was rumored to post a mid 4.3 time prior to college. At 6-foot-2, 210 lbs, Owens would be won of the heaviest players to ever record the fastest time at the Combine. Can he break 4.275? Possibly. Will he need to beat that time to cash his +390 odds as the fastest player this season? Not likely.
Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy is the next favorite at +650, and with good reason. The key to a great 40-yard dash time is getting to top speed as quickly as possible. There are plenty of fast players who lack the initial burst to go sub-4.30 at the Combine. Worthy posted a 10.55 mark in the 100 meters in high school, along with a fantastic 21.41 time in the 200 meters per TrackingFootball. He is just 172 pounds and has fantastic burst off the line of scrimmage. I expect his odds to drop as we get closer to wide receiver testing.
Oregon State’s Anthony Gould is also an excellent choice, carrying a similar profile to Worthy. He is 5-foot-8, 172 pounds, and brings a 10.49 mark in the 100 meters in high school. While he struggled to post gaudy numbers in Oregon State’s limited offense, there is no denying his speed. At +900, Gould is worth a look for this year’s fastest 40-yard dash time.
If you are looking for a long shot, consider the successful Michigan lineage with wide receiver Roman Wilson. He profiles at 5-foot-10 and 186 pounds and ran a 4.37 40-yard time as a senior in high school. The Wolverines have prioritized Combine testing with their strength and conditioning team and helped DJ Turner post last year’s fastest time at the Combine (4.26). Wilson still found ways to produce in Michigan’s run-first attack, which could be suppressing his odds in the betting market. At +2100 with the Michigan pedigree, Wilson is worth a serious look to nab this year’s fastest time at the Combine.
