Speed is one of the most thrilling parts of football, turning simple plays into game-changing moments. Not every fast player makes the cut—elite speed means being quick in full gear, dodging defenders, and making plays under pressure. In 2024, the NFL’s Next Gen Stats reveals who the fastest players really are, focusing on actual game speed instead of just Combined sprints.
Using RFID tags in gear and footballs, the league tracks in-game performance with precision. This system, powered by Zebra Technologies and Wilson Sporting Goods, measures real-time speed during live action. Here’s a breakdown of the five fastest players this season based on these metrics.
5. Nico Collins – Houston Texans (21.89 mph)
Collins kicked off the season with a bang, hitting 21.89 mph in Week 1 on a 55-yard reception. At 6’4″ and 222 pounds, Collins is a rare mix of size and speed, making him a tough and worthy opponent for any defender.
Despite playing just nine games this season, he’s already put up 53 catches for 849 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 16.0 yards per reception. Over his four-year career, Collins has racked up 3,073 yards and 17 touchdowns, becoming a reliable target and a huge part of the Texans’ offense.
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4. Saquon Barkley – Philadelphia Eagles (21.93 mph)
Saquon Barkley reminded everyone why he’s one of the best in the business when he hit 21.93 mph on a 55-yard touchdown in Week 7. Even in his seventh season, the 27-year-old running back hasn’t lost a step.
Saquon Barkley reached a top speed of 20.78 mph on his 23-yard TD run, his fifth run of the season over 20 mph, most in the NFL.
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) November 15, 2024
Barkley also leads the NFL in explosive runs (10+ yards) in the second half of games this season (16).
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He’s been a key piece for the Eagles, rushing for 1,688 yards and 11 touchdowns on 285 carries this year, with an impressive 5.9 yards per attempt. Including his receiving numbers, he’s put up 1,964 total yards and 13 touchdowns this season. Over 88 career games, Barkley has totaled 9,275 yards and 60 touchdowns, solidifying his place among the NFL’s greats.
3. Jahmyr Gibbs – Detroit Lions (22.03 mph)
Gibbs showed off his blazing speed in Week 8, hitting 22.03 mph on a 70-yard touchdown run. In just his second NFL season, the Lions running back is already proving to be one of the most explosive players in the league.
Gibbs has rushed for 1,047 yards and 11 touchdowns on 186 carries this season, averaging a strong 5.6 yards per attempt. He’s also a dual threat, contributing 1,442 total yards and 14 touchdowns. His combination of speed, agility, and vision makes him one of the most dangerous backs in the game.
2. Brian Thomas Jr. – Jacksonville Jaguars (22.15 mph)
Rookie wide receiver Thomas Jr. wasted no time making an impact in the NFL. He reached 22.15 mph on an 85-yard touchdown in Week 5, instantly establishing himself as one of the fastest players in the league. At 6’2″ and 209 pounds, Thomas is a big-bodied receiver with elite speed, making him a serious deep threat.
Moreover, in his first season, he’s already put up 64 catches for 956 yards and eight touchdowns in 14 games, averaging 14.9 yards per reception. Thomas has quickly become a favorite target in Jacksonville’s offense and looks like a star in the making.
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1. KaVontae Turpin – Dallas Cowboys (22.36 mph)
Turpin clocked the fastest speed of the 2024 season, hitting 22.36 mph on a 64-yard touchdown catch in Week 11. This tied for the fastest in-game speed recorded since 2020. At just 5’9″ and 153 pounds, Turpin is one of the smallest players on the field, but his speed more than makes up for it.
🔥 Fastest ball carrier this season: KaVontae Turpin (22.36 mph)
— NFL (@NFL) November 19, 2024
(via @NextGenStats) pic.twitter.com/MzTkeEHrpO
He’s a versatile weapon for the Cowboys as both a receiver and return specialist. In 2024, he’s put up 26 catches for 344 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games, averaging 13.2 yards per catch. Over three seasons, he’s racked up 480 receiving yards and five touchdowns, showing he’s more than just a speedster—he’s a valuable piece of Dallas’ offense.
Honorable Mentions
In 2023, Tyreek Hill, known as the “Cheetah,” dominated the speed charts with five of the top 20 fastest plays, including a 22.23 mph run on a 73-yard touchdown in Week 13. DK Metcalf also made waves last year, hitting 22.36 mph and showing off his freakish athleticism at nearly 240 pounds.
Fastest 40-Yard Dash Times in Combine History
The 40-yard dash is still the go-to measure for raw speed, and in 2024, Xavier Worthy broke the all-time record with a 4.21-second run. That edged out John Ross’ 4.22 from 2017 and put Worthy in elite company alongside players like Chris Johnson (4.24 in 2008) and Marquise Goodwin (4.27 in 2013).
The NFL is constantly leveling up with technologies like Next Gen Stats, and it’s only going to give fans more chances to see just how incredible the athletes are. For now, these five speedsters are a perfect example of why football is the ultimate display of power, precision, and pure, raw speed.
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