2022 NFL Combine Takeaways: 40-Yard Dash Times Dominate Again

On the final day of the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, two cornerbacks recorded top-five 40-yard dash times of all time, and one of them made John Ross, the record holder, sweat a little bit.

Defensive backs and special teamers closed out the combine in Indianapolis, capping off a four-day display of incredible speed as another 16 prospects logged sub-4.4-second times Sunday, pushing the 2022 class to 31 in total (most ever) and an average of 4.71 seconds (fastest ever).  

We may have watched the top cornerback and safety solidify or hold on to the No. 1 slot in ranking at their respective draft positions, but a few under-the-radar names made the most of an opportunity to showcase themselves. 

Though one prospect didn't quite meet expectations in terms of his speed, he still had a solid outing while going through the position drills, which has some importance in the evaluation process.

Let's go through seven of the biggest takeaways from Sunday's combine performances.

Ahmad 'Sauce' Gardner Looks Like CB1

Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press

As LSU's Derek Stingley Jr. recovers from Lisfranc surgery, Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner commanded the spotlight as arguably the best cornerback at the combine. Already listed as a top-15 pick in a recent mock draft from Bleacher Report's scouting department, he may have moved into the top 10 after a quality workout in Indianapolis. 

Despite three false starts on the 40-yard dash, Gardner clocked a 4.41-second time, which is a phenomenal number for a 6'3", 190-pound cornerback.

Gardner looked fluid during the line drill, backpedaling and flipping his hips down a straight path with a routine catch to finish the exercise. He continued to show smooth mechanics through the defensive back workout circuit. The Cincinnati product didn't waste steps, high-pointed the ball while breaking toward the sideline and caught passes through the gauntlet drill without a drop. 

NFL teams dream of cornerbacks with Gardner's size, speed, athleticism and ball skills. He logged nine interceptions through three collegiate terms and looked comfortable tracking the ball with his hands Sunday. 

Following Senior Bowl week early in February, Jeff Risdon of Browns Wire and Lions Wire noticed that mock draft analysts moved Stingley out of the top 10. If that's a reflection of the chatter from NFL representatives, Gardner has a good chance to be the first cornerback off the board in April.

Kyler Gordon Needs to Log a Faster 40-Yard Dash Time at Washington's Pro Day

Steve Luciano/Associated Press

In 2021, The Athletic's Bruce Feldman listed cornerback Kyler Gordon on his Freaks List, highlighting the most physically gifted athletes on the collegiate level. However, the 5'11 ½", 194-pounder measured 31-inch arms and had an average afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium.

While a 4.52-second 40-yard dash time isn't a poor test number, you would expect a prospect on Feldman's Freaks List to at least run in the 4.4s. Gordon didn't even finish in the top 20 among the cornerbacks Sunday.

Despite a disappointing run, Gordon had a solid showing through the on-field drills. He didn't have an issue with his backpedaling, sunk his hips, seamlessly changed direction and showed some burst out his breaks in the agility drills.

Gordon's 40-yard dash time isn't going to torpedo his draft stock, but he didn't meet expectations in that area and will need a faster number at his pro day (March 29th) to back up the hype about his physical tools.

Tariq Woolen Garners Intrigue with Combination of Size and Speed

Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press

Unlike Kyler Gordon, Tariq Woolen justified his spot on Bruce Feldman's Freaks List.

At 6'4", 205 pounds, Woolen tied for the fourth-fastest 40-yard dash time (4.26) since 2003. Though he's still a raw prospect at cornerback, a special teams coach will want his speed on kick and punt coverage until the defensive backs coach develops him into a viable secondary defender. 

At UTSA, Woolen played wide receiver before transitioning to cornerback midway through the 2019 season. Through the drills, a trained eye could spot his inexperience with his choppy steps and labored backpedaling motion. He'll need to drop his hips a little more to mirror quicker wide receivers who can cut on a dime. 

B/R NFL scout Cory Giddings listed Woolen as a third-rounder and high-level backup with starter potential, which sounds accurate with his intriguing physical tools and technical shortcomings.

Nonetheless, Woolen's receiver background and speed will draw some interest from teams that value physical attributes in a defensive back with length (33⅝-inch arms) and ball-tracking skills. He's a high-upside Day 2 pick.

Kalon Barnes Lands on Draft Radar with 2nd-Fastest 40-Yard Dash Time

Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press

Going into the combine, Kalon Barnes' name didn't move the needle in draft discussion circles, but he changed that Sunday.

Barnes will leave Indianapolis with the fastest 40-yard dash time among defensive backs and the second-fastest mark overall since 2003—only one one-hundredth of second behind New York Giants wideout John Ross.

As the buzz about Barnes' speed spread across social media, he aced the defensive back workout circuit. The Baylor product's footwork looked natural, and his loose hips allowed him to fluidly change direction.

Barnes likely put himself on big boards as a Day 3 prospect who could earn an early spot on special teams and offer some depth at cornerback. He has the feet and lower-body flexion to exceed expectations in the right situation that presents opportunities on defense.

Barnes made the most of his exposure Sunday.

Kaiir Elam Stands Out Among 2nd-Tier Cornerbacks

Steve Luciano/Associated Press

Among the cornerbacks, Ahmad Gardner and Derek Stingley Jr. constantly come up as the most popular names in the 2022 class. Clemson's Andrew Booth has also generated some buzz after a solid 2021 campaign with five pass breakups and three interceptions, but according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, he skipped the combine to recover from a quad injury.

Kaiir Elam may have edged Trent McDuffie and 2021 Jim Thorpe Award winner Coby Bryant within the second-tier of cornerbacks. He logged a 4.39-second 40-yard dash time and went through the on-field drills like a true pro.

As the son of former NFL safety Abram Elam (and nephew to former NFL safety Matt Elam), Kaiir's bloodline and familiarity with the game may have prepared him for this moment. Only 20 years old, he seemed well-prepared going through the workout circuit with clean foot movement, twitch and great confidence in his hands while going up to grab the ball in the drills.

Elam isn't likely to surpass Gardner or Stingley in the pecking order, but a cornerback-needy team such as the Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Detroit Lions may consider him on the back end of the first round.

Kyle Hamilton Leaves No Doubt About His Position as the Top Safety

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Kyle Hamilton's 4.59-second 40-yard dash time isn't going to excite anyone, but if spectators took a close look at him during the position drills, he looked the part of a high-level safety and top overall prospect. 

Like a skilled cornerback, Hamilton didn't have a hitch in his steps, broke out toward the sideline and caught the ball in the backpedal and 90-degree break drill, which resembles a pick-six scenario.

Hamilton showed off his ball skills through the workouts. For the most part, he hauled in passes at a high point and used his hands (not his body) to secure possession. 

On film, Hamilton doesn't move like a player who would run a 4.59-second 40-yard dash time, so expect him to work on his speed and clock a better number on his pro day (March 25th).

Even if Hamilton doesn't significantly improve his time, he'll likely come off the board within the top 10 picks because of his size (6'4", 220 lbs), explosiveness (38-inch vertical jump and 10'11" broad jump) and ball skills. None of the other safeties did enough to challenge him for the top draft slot at the position.

Lewis Cine Finishes a Strong Weekend for Georgia

Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press

Defensive prospects out of Georgia left their mark on the 2022 combine. Defensive linemen Jordan Davis, Travon Walker and Devonte Wyatt set the tone Saturday, and safety Lewis Cine added the exclamation point Sunday.

Cine put his explosiveness and speed on display. He led all safeties with an 11'1" broad jump and clocked a 4.37-second 40-yard dash time. Known as a heavy-hitter, the former Bulldog caught the ball fairly well through the defensive back drills, which may raise his stock a bit after logging just two interceptions through three collegiate campaigns. 

Jim Nagy, the executive director of the Senior Bowl, heard positive feedback from teams that interviewed Cine, which will also boost his stock. 

"Heard from multiple teams that Georgia's Lewis Cine blew them away in interviews. Is he first safety off the board now after running 4.37 and jumping 11-1? There were some teams that had first round grades on him before doing all that," Nagy tweeted. 

If Cine jumps over Hamilton in the draft order, that would be an upset, but Pro Football Focus' Austin Gayle believes the 6'2", 199-pound safety has a chance to creep into the first round.

Cine plays a non-premium position, but he certainly made more money by improving his draft outlook with an all-around impressive presentation at the combine.

College football statistics provided by cfbstats.com.

NFL Scouting Combine test numbers provided by NFL.com.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.