Unfairly or not, the 40-yard dash has emerged as the NFL Scouting Combine's main attraction for its TV broadcast.
Every variation of "four-point-something" scrolls across TV screens throughout the country as hundreds of NFL prospects give their best Usain Bolt impersonation. Even the offensive linemen, who run 40 yards in a straight line during a game as often as they throw passes, are subject to the scrutiny and unforgiving nature of the stopwatch.
As we ramp up our preparations for this year's Combine, which kicks off next week in Indianapolis, we hit the archives to see how current Browns fared in the 40, which, we must remember, is a very small piece of the puzzle in evaluating a prospect's worth to an organization.
We've highlighted the top 10 overall and singled out the best at each position.
Top 10 1. Travis Benjamin - 4.31
T-2. Justin Gilbert - 4.37
T-2. Buster Skrine - 4.37
- Donte Whitner - 4.40
- Kendall James - 4.44
- Miles Austin - 4.47
- Rodney Smith - 4.51
- Joe Haden - 4.52
- Jordan Cameron - 4.53
- Jordan Poyer - 4.54
QB- Connor Shaw
DL- Billy Winn
OL- Joel Bitonio
DL- Armonty Bryant
WR- Travis Benjamin
DB- Pierre Desir
DB- Joe Haden
RB- Isaiah Crowell
QB- Brian Hoyer
DB- Justin Gilbert
LB- Chris Kirksey
QB- Johnny Manziel
LB- Paul Kruger
LB- Jabaal Sheard
OL- Joe Thomas
LB- Barkevious Mingo
DL- Phil Taylor
DB- Buster Skrine
RB- Terrance West
Top QB
- Connor Shaw - 4.66
Top RB
- Terrance West - 4.56 (Isaiah Crowell ran a 4.57)
Top WR/TE
- Benjamin - 4.31
Top OL
- Joe Thomas - 4.92
Top DL
- Armonty Bryant and Billy Winn - 4.86
Top LB
- Barkevious Mingo - 4.58
Top DB
- Gilbert and Skrine - 4.37
This article is part of the Road to the Draft series, driven by Liberty Ford.
