The NFL Combine’s 40-yard dash gives prospects their biggest spotlight moment. It’s the most watched part of the pre-draft process, especially under those Indianapolis stadium lights.
Not every player runs at the Combine though. And not every 40 time carries the same weight for different prospects.
Some players use a fast time to put themselves on the map. Others want to validate their potential or separate themselves from similar prospects. Some just need to check the box on their way to the first round.
Pro days continue across the country, bringing another batch of 40 times worth discussing. Cornerbacks particularly stood out this week.
Top corners race their way up boards
LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane was among the top players testing at his pro day. Many draft analysts already had Delane as the class’s best cornerback entering the day.
He didn’t have much to prove. His goal was checking the box with a solid time in the mid-4.40s range. He also wanted to show that skipping the Combine wasn’t about hiding a weakness.
Delane delivered an excellent performance. His unofficial 4.38-second 40-yard dash would’ve ranked second among corners in Indianapolis. In Baton Rouge, it set the tone for a standout day.
There weren’t many concerns about Delane’s ability to cover receivers vertically down the field. That may have been the strongest part of his 2025 tape.
That explosiveness brings natural recovery speed and extra room for error as he faces bigger, faster, more polished receivers at the next level.
The performance likely locks in Delane as a top-15 pick. He’s probably the first cornerback selected in April.
While some analysts favor Avieon Terrell for the top corner spot, Delane’s supporters should feel confident after his run. Everyone knew he was fast, but confirming elite athleticism removes uncertainty from his profile.
Further down the board, other players made moves.
Miami slot corner Keionte Scott pushed himself up draft boards late in the year during the College Football Playoff. He’s arguably the most dynamic defensive back in this class.
No cornerback was used as a pass rusher like Scott in 2025. He recorded 15 sacks and 13 tackles for loss, spending plenty of time in opposing backfields.
His combination of burst and closing speed made him perfect for disrupting plays before they developed.
Keionte Scott just ran a 4.25.
Bruh.
— Reason (@the_real_reason) March 23, 2026
Scott ran well at his pro day, though the 4.28 time making rounds on social media seems optimistic. Reports from Miami suggest he ran somewhere between 4.30 and 4.35 seconds.
That’s still fast enough, and actually quicker than Delane’s time.
Even if it’s slower than initial reports, Scott has plenty of speed. It shows most clearly in zone coverage, where he can click-and-close effectively and break quickly on passes.
There are more questions in man coverage, where he relies on speed to make up for technical inconsistencies. That might limit him to full-time slot duties as a specialized role player.
Teams will likely fall in love with his athleticism and production combination though.
After a strong pre-draft circuit, Scott seems increasingly likely to go in the top 75 picks. His floor appears to be early Day 2.
