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Running the 40-yard dash is the chance for prospects to shine. Fair or not, it's the most high-profile part of the pre-draft circuit, especially under the stadium lights in Indianapolis.
Not everybody chooses to run at the NFL Combine, though, and not every 40-yard dash means the same thing for different prospects. For some, a flashy time is about putting themselves on the map. For others, it's about validating upside, separating themselves from a tier of similar prospects, or simply checking the box on the way to the first round.
As the pro day circuit continues, we have an extra batch of 40 times to talk about, particularly at cornerback.
Top corners race their way up boards
Among the top players testing at their pro day was LSU Tigers cornerback Mansoor Delane. Many had Delane as the class's best cornerback entering the day, so there wasn't as much to prove on his part.
His day was about checking the box -- running any non-concerning time (mid-4.40s and faster) -- and showing that waiting for the pro day instead of the Combine wasn't a matter of masking a flaw.
In short, he was excellent. Delane's 4.38-second (unofficial) 40-yard dash would've been the second-best mark for a corner in Indianapolis. In Baton Rouge, it set the tone for a standout performance.
There were little concerns about Delane's ability to erase guys vertically -- it may have been the best part of his 2025 tape. But with that explosiveness comes inherent recovery speed and a little extra breathing room as he takes on receivers that are bigger, faster, and more polished at the next level.
That's enough to all but lock in Delane as a top-15 pick and, in all likelihood, the first corner off the board in April. While my affinity for Avieon Terrell makes CB1 a close call, those who view Delane favorably should feel vindicated by his run. We knew he was fast. But locking in elite athleticism limits the uncertainty in his profile.
Further down the board, there was additional movement.
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Miami Hurricanes slot corner Keionte Scott propelled himself up boards late in the year when he stood out during the College Football Playoff. He's perhaps the most dynamic defensive back in this class, and it's outlined in his uses.
No cornerback was weaponized as a blitzer like Scott in 2025. He found 15 sacks and 13 tackles for loss, making a second home in the backfield. With his blend of burst and closing speed, Scott was built to blow up plays before they begin.
— Reason (@the_real_reason) March 23, 2026He ran well at his pro day, although the 4.28 time going around is likely a bit hyperbolic. The buzz coming out of Miami suggests that he ran somewhere between a 4.30- and 4.35-second time, which is still perfectly fine (and faster than Delane).
Even if it's slower than initial reports suggested, Scott is plenty fast, and it's most apparent from a coverage perspective in zone. He can click-and-close well and break on passes quickly. There are significantly more questions in man, where he's relying on his speed to make up for inconsistencies. That may render him a full-time slot corner -- and a specialized role player at that -- but teams will likely fall in love with his blend of athleticism and production.
After a strong pre-draft circuit, it seems increasingly likely that Scott will be a top-75 pick, with the floor at the turn of Day 2.
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