Fastest 40-yard Dash Times in NFL Combine History: Top 10 Defensive Ends/Edge Rushers

The NFL combine is almost upon us, with things set to get underway on Thursday from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The 40-yard dash is perhaps the most anticipated event across all position groups, with everything from running backs to offensive and defensive linemen competing for the fastest time.

The NFL has compiled a list both of the overall fastest times as well as those for every position. This article will focus on the defensive end and edge rushers group, which is headlined by seven former SEC players — including three from Georgia — in the top ten.

The top spot, however, goes to former Virginia Tech star Amare Barno in 2022. You can read more on his performance that year and see the rest of the 10 best 40-yard dash times for defensive ends in NFL combine history below.

1) 4.36 — Amare Barno, Virginia Tech (2022)

Barno has set the bar high for defensive ends at this year’s combine with his record-setting mark of 4.36 seconds in 2022. It also would beat out the times of any defensive tackle in combine history to give him the best time among all defensive linemen.

Barno would go on to be selected in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft to the Carolina Panthers, where he has played every year since. His speed has since allowed him to make the transition to linebacker, where he has appeared in 20 games over the past two years with 28 tackles and one sack.

2) 4.39 — Nolan Smith, Georgia (2023)

Smith came within 0.03 seconds of tying Barno for the record the following year in 2023, but fell just short with a final mark of 4.39 seconds. That’s certainly still nothing to sneeze at and Smith has gone on to have the better pro career of the two players to this point.

The Georgia product was selected 30th overall to the Philadelphia Eagles in that year’s draft and transitioned to linebacker like Barno. This season, he helped them to win Super Bowl LIX and had a breakout sophomore season to finish with 42 tackles, 6.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

3) 4.41 — Montez Sweat, Mississippi State (2019)

There’s not much separating the top three defensive ends and edge rushers in 40-yard dash history at the NFL combine. Sweat comes in third place and is only 0.05 seconds behind the top number with a time of 4.41 seconds, which was then the record, at the 2019 combine.

Sweat would go on to be the 26th overall pick to the Washington Commanders and has had impact as a starter for all six of his pro seasons. He now plays for the Chicago Bears and finished this past season with 32 tackles, 5.5 sacks and a pair of forced fumbles.

4) 4.43 — Byron Young, Tennessee (2023)

2023 was a big year for defensive ends in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, as Young also cracked the top five in event history with a time of 4.43 seconds. Most other years that would have earned him the top time, but thanks to Smith he had to settle for second.

The New York Giants took a shot on young in the third round of the draft that year and he almost instantly became a starter. So far across his two NFL seasons, he has recorded 15.5 sacks and 123 tackles.

5) 4.45 — Marcus Howard, Georgia (2008)

Howard was seemingly ahead of his time as he the only player from before 2010 to crack the top five. His time of 4.45 seconds at the 2008 combine previously held the record for more than a decade before it was beaten in 2019.

Howard would go on to be drafted in the fifth round and play nine games for the Indianapolis Colts as a rookie. However, the team waived him the following season and he struggled to find a spot on an NFL roster, eventually joining the CFL in 2011.

Fastest 40-yard dash times for defensive ends/edge rushers: 6-10

4.46 — Dallas Turner, Alabama (2024)
4.46 — Sam Williams, Ole Miss (2022)
4.48 — Chop Robinson, Penn State (2024)
4.48 — Robert Beal Jr., Georgia (2023)
4.48 — Leon Jacobs, Wisconsin (2018)