There is something magical about watching an offensive lineman running the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. It often goes the way you’d expect, and those players who are the heaviest end up being the slowest.
The 40 isn’t always the best outright measure of pure speed, but when a lineman hits a good time, you instantly start to see heads turn. What offensive linemen have hit the fastest times at the NFL Combine?
Fastest Offensive Linemen 40-Yard Dash Times
1) Terron Armstead — 4.71 Seconds
Terron Armstead holds the record for the fastest 40-yard dash by an offensive lineman in the history of the Combine. After weighing in at 306 pounds, the offensive tackle out of Arkansas-Pine Bluff ran the drill in a blazing 4.71 seconds. The New Orleans Saints were impressed with his unprecedented athleticism. They selected him with the 75th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.
While athleticism is no guarantee of success, it’s fair to say that Armstead repaid the Saints’ faith with interest. Armstead earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023 and was named second-team All-Pro in 2018. Armstead is now a Miami Dolphin.
2) Lane Johnson — 4.72 Seconds
Right behind Armstead is another likely future Hall of Famer, Lane Johnson. Johnson ran a 4.72 40-yard dash back in 2013. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles and has gone on to win a Super Bowl with the team. On Dec. 11, 2022, Johnson set an NFL record of not allowing a sack in 26 consecutive games.
3) Trent Williams — 4.81 seconds
Arguably the best left tackle in the NFL over the last decade, Trent Williams was destined for NFL success after his Combine performance. At 6’4, 315 pounds, Williams ran a 4.81 40 in the 2010 draft on top of a 34 1/2″ vertical and a broad jump of 113″. Williams turned heads at the Combine, and his performance eventually saw him drafted fourth overall in 2010.
4) Aviante Collins — 4.81 Seconds
Although his career has not been as prolific as Johnson and Armstead, Aviante Collins still holds the third-best 40-yard dash time for an offensive lineman in NFL Combine history. His performance at the Combine was not good enough to get drafted, but he joined the Minnesota Vikings in 2017 as an undrafted free agent.
5) Brian O’Neill — 4.82 Seconds
Brian O’Neill had an impressive performance at the 2018 NFL Combine. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.82 seconds, the fastest time among all offensive linemen that year and fourth all-time. He was subsequently drafted by the Minnesota Vikings and made the Pro Bowl in 2021.
Tristan Wirfs Turned Heads in 2020
One of the most unmistakable signs that an offensive lineman has run an incredible 40-yard dash is when he starts getting compared to players at other positions. Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs earned this acclaim in 2020 when his 4.85 attempt was the fastest ever by a player weighing 320 pounds or more.
He outpaced quarterbacks, tight ends, and even linebackers before turning his attention to dominating the other drills.
MORE: NFL Combine Records — 40 Times, Bench Press, Vertical Jump, and More
His performance strengthened an already strong résumé and solidified his draft stock. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were paying attention and selected him with the 13th pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Wirfs’ rookie season saw him protecting Tom Brady as a critical component of the team’s Super Bowl-winning roster. Wirfs subsequently followed that up with an outstanding individual season in which he was recognized as a first-team All-Pro and named to the Pro Bowl.
All the 2024 NFL Draft resources you need — the draft order, the top QBs, the Top 100 prospects, and the full 2024 Big Board — right at your fingertips at Pro Football Network!
