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Top 10 Fastest NFL WRs within the Past 13 Years

SportsOct 25, 2026
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The NFL has seen plenty of lightning-fast wide receivers over the past 10 years, with their ability to accelerate past defenders making them some of the league’s most thrilling players to watch.

Some excel at winning deep downfield with their breakaway speed, while others use their quickness to make game-changing plays.

With so many speedsters to choose from, which wide receivers rank among the fastest of the last decade? Here are the top 10 fastest NFL wide receivers from the past 13 years.

#10 – Jaylen Waddle (Denver Broncos)

Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle catches a pass against the Los Angeles Chargers - Source: ImagnDenver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle catches a pass against the Los Angeles Chargers - Source: Imagn
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle catches a pass against the Los Angeles Chargers – Source: Imagn

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Jaylen Waddle skipped the 40-yard dash at the 2021 NFL combine while recovering from a fractured ankle. However, he had been unofficially timed at 4.37 seconds based on high school and college tracking before then.

His acceleration and ability to change pace make him a difficult matchup for defensive backs, particularly when he finds space to operate after the catch.

Waddle’s speed was on full display in 2021 when he hit 21.78 mph on a 57-yard reception against the Carolina Panthers. The run ranked seventh among the NFL’s fastest recorded plays that season.

#9 – Christian Watson (Green Bay Packers)

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson walking off the field following the game against the Dallas Cowboys - Source: ImagnGreen Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson walking off the field following the game against the Dallas Cowboys - Source: Imagn
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson walking off the field following the game against the Dallas Cowboys – Source: Imagn

Despite measuring 6-foot-4 and weighing over 200 pounds, Christian Watson ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the 2022 NFL scouting combine. His performance placed him in the 97th percentile among comparable athletes according to Relative Athletic Score.

Since then, the Packers’ receiver has shown his ability to outrun defenders since arriving in the NFL. He made an immediate impression as a rookie, reaching 21.72 mph during a 46-yard rushing touchdown. That burst tied for the fourth-highest recorded speed by an NFL player that season.

#8 – Brian Thomas Jr. (Jacksonville Jaguars)

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. before a game against the Cincinnati Bengals - Source: ImagnJacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. before a game against the Cincinnati Bengals - Source: Imagn
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. before a game against the Cincinnati Bengals – Source: Imagn

Brian Thomas Jr. clocked a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the 2024 NFL combine and recorded the fastest flying 20-yard split in his class, according to Fox Sports.

Jacksonville quickly saw the benefits of his speed after selecting the former LSU receiver. Thomas hit 22.15 mph on an 85-yard touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in his rookie year, which remains the fastest play by a Jaguars ball carrier since at least 2016, according to Next Gen Stats.

He carried that explosiveness into a standout rookie season, recording 87 catches for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024. All three totals established new franchise records for a Jaguars rookie.

#7 – KaVontae Turpin (Dallas Cowboys)

Dallas Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin scores a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens - Source: ImagnDallas Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin scores a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens - Source: Imagn
Dallas Cowboys’ KaVontae Turpin scores a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens – Source: Imagn

KaVontae Turpin reportedly clocked between 4.29 and 4.31 seconds in the 40-yard dash during a private workout in 2019. The Dallas Cowboys speedster has since become a dangerous threat on offense and special teams.

Despite standing around 5-foot-7 and weighing roughly 154 pounds, Turpin’s acceleration allows him to break away from defenders and produce explosive plays. In 2024, he reached 22.36 mph on a 64-yard touchdown catch against the Houston Texans, placing among the fastest ball carriers tracked by NFL Next Gen Stats.

His impact extends to the return game, where he led the NFL in kickoff return yards in consecutive seasons in 2024 and 2025, earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors along the way.

#6 – Tyreek Hill

Former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill runs off the field after a game against the San Francisco 49ers - Source: ImagnFormer Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill runs off the field after a game against the San Francisco 49ers - Source: Imagn
Former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill runs off the field after a game against the San Francisco 49ers – Source: Imagn

Tyreek Hill’s combination of elite speed and sharp changes of direction has made him one of the NFL’s most dangerous offensive weapons in the past decade. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.29 seconds at his West Alabama Pro Day before the 2016 NFL draft.

His explosiveness remained evident in 2023, when Next Gen Stats recorded four plays on which Hill exceeded 21.5 mph. One was a 64-yard reception during which he topped 22 mph.

Hill’s résumé is equally impressive, featuring eight Pro Bowl appearances and five first-team All-Pro selections.

#5 – Tyquan Thornton (Kansas City Chiefs)

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton lines up before a play against the Las Vegas Raiders - Source: ImagnKansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton lines up before a play against the Las Vegas Raiders - Source: Imagn
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton lines up before a play against the Las Vegas Raiders – Source: Imagn

Tyquan Thornton recorded a blistering 4.28-second 40-yard dash at the 2022 combine before being drafted in the second round by the New England Patriots.

With his long stride and ability to accelerate quickly, Thornton can leave defenders trailing when running downfield. However, his pace has not consistently translated into overall success as a receiver, as he has yet to show the all-around skills needed to become a reliable offensive contributor.

#4 – Henry Ruggs III

Former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III attempts to catch a pass against the Miami Dolphins - Source: ImagnFormer Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III attempts to catch a pass against the Miami Dolphins - Source: Imagn
Former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III attempts to catch a pass against the Miami Dolphins – Source: Imagn

At the 2020 scouting combine, Henry Ruggs completed the 40-yard dash in 4.27 seconds, finishing with the fastest time of his class. His performance also tied for the fourth-fastest electronically timed 40-yard dash at the combine since 1999.

Ruggs showed the value of that speed during his first season with the Las Vegas Raiders. His career, however, was cut short in November 2021 when he was involved in a fatal crash while driving at high speed under the influence of alcohol. Las Vegas subsequently released him.

#3 – Marquise Goodwin

Former Cleveland Browns wide receiver Marquise Goodwin laughs during warm ups before a game - Source: ImagnFormer Cleveland Browns wide receiver Marquise Goodwin laughs during warm ups before a game - Source: Imagn
Former Cleveland Browns wide receiver Marquise Goodwin laughs during warm ups before a game – Source: Imagn

Marquise Goodwin’s incredible pace is backed by an impressive career in track and field. During his time at the University of Texas, he won NCAA long jump titles before going on to represent the United States in the event at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Goodwin brought that world-class athleticism to the NFL, recording a blistering 4.27-second 40-yard dash at the 2013 scouting combine. His official time remains one of the quickest in the event’s history.

In 2019, while playing for the San Francisco 49ers, Goodwin had another opportunity to prove his speed. He won the first 40 Yards of Gold competition in Miami, finishing 0.05 seconds ahead of then-Carolina Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson and earning the $1 million prize.

#2 – John Ross

Former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver John Ross warms up before a game against the New England Patriots - Source: ImagnFormer Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver John Ross warms up before a game against the New England Patriots - Source: Imagn
Former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver John Ross warms up before a game against the New England Patriots – Source: Imagn

John Ross’ remarkable athleticism made him a standout prospect, especially after he delivered a record-setting performance in the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine.

In 2017, Ross ran the event in 4.22 seconds, breaking the previous record of 4.24 seconds. That time stood for seven years before Xavier Worthy passed it with a 4.21-second sprint in 2024.

The Cincinnati Bengals selected Ross with the ninth overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft. However, injuries and inconsistency derailed his progress, and he finished his NFL career with fewer than 1,000 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns before retiring in 2023.

#1 – Xavier Worthy (Kansas City Chiefs)

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy runs after making a catch against the Los Angeles Chargers - Source: ImagnKansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy runs after making a catch against the Los Angeles Chargers - Source: Imagn
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy runs after making a catch against the Los Angeles Chargers – Source: Imagn

Xavier Worthy announced himself as an elite speedster when he set the scouting combine’s 40-yard dash record with a time of 4.21 seconds.

In the NFL, his speed was evident from his first regular-season touch against the Baltimore Ravens, when he turned a 21-yard reverse into a touchdown and reached 18.45 mph.

Worthy has also become a valuable downfield target for Patrick Mahomes, using his acceleration to get behind opposing defenses. One of the highlights of his rookie season was a 50-yard touchdown in the Super Bowl, and he has continued to provide the Chiefs with explosive plays in his time with the team.