Fastest 40-yard Dash Times in NFL Combine History: Top 10 tight ends

The NFL Combine is about to begin in Indianapolis. An annual tradition, one of the most important events continues to be the 40-yard dash and seeing if any player can set a record time in a given year.

One position that is sometimes overlooked in the 40-yard dash is the tight end. After all, tight ends rarely set record speeds. However, at a position that needs to be multi-faceted, including acting as a receiver and as a blocker, tight ends need a blend of speed and strength. That’s something that helps get illuminated in combine testing.

Keeping all of that in mind, here’s a look at the 10 fastest 40-yard dash times in the history of the NFL Combine by tight ends.

T-1. Dorin Dickerson, Pitt (2010)

Time: 4.40 seconds
A Pennsylvania native, Dorin Dickerson stayed close to home and went to Pitt. By 2009, he would go on to be a First-Team All-American selection. In 2010, at the NFL Combine, he’d go on to run the fasted 40-yard dash ever for a tight end, tying Vernon Davis, by running a 4.40 sprint.

Dickerson would go on to be a seventh round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, getting selected by the Houston Texans. He’d spend one season there before beginning to bounce around the league. In the end, he’d play for six teams, often on practice squads, before his career ended in 2015 following an Achilles injury.

T-1. Vernon Davis, Maryland (2006)

Time: 4.40 seconds
Another tight end who played his college football close to where he’s from, Vernon Davis attended Maryland where he became a star tight end. In 2005, Davis stood out and would be named to the All-ACC and All-American team that season. He’d go on to become the fastest tight end in NFL Combine history.

Vernon Davis would be selected in the first round and sixth overall by the San Francisco 49ers. He’d go on to become one of the best tight ends in football, twice going to the Pro Bowl and leading the NFL in receiving touchdowns in 2009. He also won a Super Bowl while playing for the Denver Broncos.

3. Evan Engram, Ole Miss (2017)

Time: 4.42 seconds
During his time at Ole Miss, Evan Engram was a star who was twice named an All-SEC selection. That college success, along with an outstanding NFL Combine performance that included his excellent 40-yard dash, helped him to become a first round pick of the New York Giants.

Engram would play for the Giants from 2017 through 2021. His time there did include one Pro Bowl selection, but it ended when he left for the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency. He’s been with the Jaguars ever since then, going to another Pro Bowl.

4. Devin Culp, Washington (2024)

Time: 4.47 seconds
Devin Culp is another tight end who stayed close to home for school, spending his entire college career with Washington. During that time, he played for three different head coaches. He also converted from playing wide receiver to tight end, explaining in part how he ran the fourth fasted 40-yard dash by a tight end ever.

After being selected in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Buccaneers, Culp made five receptions in his rookie season. However, to this point in his NFL career, his playing time has been limited. Still, Culp is young and at the beginning of his career with Tampa Bay.

T-5. Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri (2020)

Time: 4.49 seconds
Former Missouri Tigers tight end Albert Okwuegbunam received numerous honors in college. That included being named to the All-SEC Freshman team and twice being named to the Second-Team All-SEC team. His career culminated with an excellent 40-yard dash that helped him get drafted in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos.

In Denver, Okwuegbunam dealt with injuries that made it difficult to get his career underway. He would then be traded to Philadelphia where he tried to restart his career. However, in 2024, he spent time on injured reserve before getting released and signing with the Indianapolis Colts to their practice squad.

T-5. James Hanna, Oklahoma – 4.49 seconds (2012)
T-7. Noah Fant, Iowa – 4.50 seconds (2019)
T-7. A.C. Leonard, Tennessee State – 4.5 seconds (2014)
T-7. Chris Gragg, Arkansas – 4.5 seconds (2013)
T-7. Jared Cook, South Carolina – 4.5 seconds (2009)