10 fastest running backs in the NFL right now, ranked from #10 to #1

In the NFL, speed is one of the deciding elements. When a team has a running back with that quality, the board may be lit up in a flash. A running back who can explode to full throttle is a precious asset for his team, even though speed alone won't make him great.

Statistics show that the NFL has some of the world's fastest sportsmen. Now let's look at some of the quickest running backs in the NFL:

#10 - Derrick Henry – Tennessee Titans

Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans celebrates with fans

Derrick Henry is well-known for his strength and capacity to batter defenseless opponents. But because Henry also possesses a substantial degree of quickness to match, his strength is even more astounding.

Last season, he ran for a 76-yard touchdown at a speed of 21.8 mph. Henry is more than just a strong back, as evidenced by the fact that just five other players clocked faster speeds the whole of last season.

#9 - Melvin Gordon – Kansas City Chiefs

Melvin Gordon is one of the NFL's most explosive RBs right now. He is a hard-hitting player who is constantly willing to engage in combat. His quickness in open spaces increases the effect of his straight-line mobility.

#8 - Joe Mixon - Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Mixon of the Cincinnati Bengals walks off the field after a win

The Cincinnati Bengals selected Joe Mixon in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He has since come to be associated with explosive speed and a flashy presence on the pitch.

He recorded 145 scrimmage yards in the Bengals' season-opening 23-20 overtime defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers this season.

#7 - David Montgomery - Chicago Bears

David Montgomery of the Chicago Bears looks on before the game

David Montgomery possesses numerous qualities that distinguish a top-tier running back. He has a natural breakaway pace, is evasive at the line, and is challenging to take down at the point of contact.

Although Montgomery isn't the NFL's quickest running back, he has been reasonably swift compared to several other running backs.

#6 - Breece Hall - New York Jets

When the New York Jets chose Breece Hall with the 36th overall pick in the NFL Draft, he was the first RB chosen in that draft. At Iowa State, Hall had top straight-line pace and top-class athleticism.

Hall embodies everything. He might be a three-down back in the NFL since he is big, strong, and quick. Hall has actual elite speed, which is shown on lengthy runs and in-game footage as he frequently outruns safeties and is supported by a 4.39 40-yard dash time. In Week 7 of this season, he scored from 62 yards out at a peak speed of 21.87 mph.

#5 - Ezekiel Elliott - Dallas Cowboys

Ezekiel Elliott may not strike one as a quick runner, yet he excels in the 40-yard dash and on the football field.

At the 2016 NFL Combine, Ezekiel Elliott completed the 40-yard dash in 4.47 seconds. According to Dallas reports, Elliott was recorded running faster than 22 MPH in the last off-season. That's a brisk pace.

Elliott's steep running style fits the Cowboys perfectly, and he can shift direction swiftly and run with strength.

#4 - Saquon Barkley - New York Giants

Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants takes to the field prior to a game

During his 164 running yards and one touchdown performance in Week 1 of this season, Saquon Barkley's peak speed was 21.1 miles per hour. The effort was a timely reminder of Barkley's potential when he's at his best.

Barkley, the second overall pick in the 2018 draft, concluded each of his first two years in the NFL with the sixth-fastest ball-carrier speed. According to Next Gen Stats, Saquon Barkley recorded a maximum speed of 21.89 mph in his first season and increased slightly to 21.91 mph the following season. He also has an unofficial 40-yard sprint time of 4.41 seconds.

#3 - Kenneth Walker – Seattle Seahawks

Kenneth Walker led all rushers in Week 7 with 168 yards. The rookie running back was the NFL's quickest ball carrier this season, with a maximum speed of 22.09 MPH in that contest. This statistic is beyond ridiculous. To put it into context, Topend Sports reports that Usain Bolt averaged about 23.35 mph during his 9.58-second 100-yard record run.

Kenneth Walker has shown that he is one of the NFL's top rushers this season.

#2 - Jonathan Taylor - Indianapolis Colts

Jonathan Taylor, a running back with the Indianapolis Colts, is possibly the league's fastest player. He led the league for rushing yards in 2021 (1,811), which earned him a place in the Pro Bowl squad and an All-Pro team for the first time.

According to Next Gen Stats, Taylor had three of the top five speeds among all ball carriers last year, which includes the overall top mark of 22.13 miles per hour. He also ran for two touchdowns at 22.05 and 21.83 mph.

The running back completed a 4.39 40-yard sprint at the NFL combine. It was the seventh-fastest time and the fastest time for any running back that year.

#1 - Raheem Mostert – Miami Dolphins

Raheem Mostert was timed at 22.73 mph in Week 1 of the 2020 season against the New York Jets and 23.09 mph the following week.

Mostert is among the top running backs in the 40-yard Dash and Speed Score categories and has the quickest in-game speed of all RBs in the Next Gen Stats era (23.09 MPH).