The 2016 NFL Combine is in full swing, and after the big offensive linemen got to run the 40-yard dash as part of the first on-field workouts of this year's event, the running backs took the field. While many often overstate the value of the 40-yard dash when evaluating draft prospects, it's obviously important for speedy running backs and elusive players of that nature.
Running back is already a position of ever-changing value. Some years, it looks like no team wants to invest anything into a running back, and then a strong draft comes around and everybody is looking to get in on the action. This year, there were plenty of interesting running backs and while complete opinions shouldn't be reached based on 40 times, they are a good indicator of speed at the least.
Ezekiel Elliot of Ohio State, considered by many to be the top back in this year's draft, turned in an official time of 4.47 seconds. That's not going to blow anyone away, but as a power back, it's solid.
Ezekiel Elliot Second Run #4.48 pic.twitter.com/GGRHdW1nW4
— DMV-Dallas Cowboy (@DMVDallasCowboy) February 26, 2016
Derrick Henry of Alabama put up a time of 4.54 seconds, also great for a player of his size. The fastest official time for a running back was a 4.31 run by Keith Marshall of Georgia. A total of 10 players managed it in under 4.5 seconds. Below, we've got the official 40-yard times for running backs.
| Name | School | Height | Weight | Bench Press (reps at 225 lbs) | 40 Yard (Official) |
| Peyton Barber | Auburn | 5'10 | 228 | 20 | 4.64 |
| Devontae Booker | Utah | 5'11 | 219 | 22 | |
| Tra Carson | Texas A&M | 5'11 | 227 | 19 | |
| Alex Collins | Arkansas | 5'10 | 217 | 18 | 4.59 |
| Marshaun Coprich | Illinois State | 5'8 | 207 | 17 | 4.47 |
| Kenneth Dixon | Louisiana Tech | 5'10 | 215 | 18 | 4.58 |
| Kenyan Drake | Alabama | 6'1 | 210 | 10 | 4.45 |
| Ezekiel Elliott | Ohio State | 6'0 | 225 | 4.47 | |
| Tyler Ervin | San Jose State | 5'10 | 192 | 17 | 4.41 |
| Josh Ferguson | Illinois | 5'9 | 198 | 21 | 4.48 |
| Glenn Gronkowski | Kansas State | 6'2 | 239 | 17 | 4.71 |
| Derrick Henry | Alabama | 6'2 | 247 | 22 | 4.54 |
| Quayvon Hicks | Georgia | 6'1 | 259 | ||
| Jordan Howard | Indiana | 6'0 | 230 | 16 | |
| Andy Janovich | Nebraska | 6'1 | 238 | 30 | 4.81 |
| Devon Johnson | Marshall | 6'0 | 238 | ||
| Daniel Lasco | California | 6'0 | 209 | 23 | 4.46 |
| Tre Madden | Southern Cal | 6'0 | 223 | 24 | |
| Keith Marshall | Georgia | 5'11 | 219 | 25 | 4.31 |
| Paul Perkins | UCLA | 5'10 | 208 | 19 | 4.54 |
| CJ Prosise | Notre Dame | 6'0 | 220 | 4.48 | |
| Wendell Smallwood | West Virginia | 5'10 | 208 | 14 | 4.47 |
| Kelvin Taylor | Florida | 5'10 | 207 | 15 | 4.60 |
| Shad Thornton | North Carolina State | 6'0 | 217 | 12 | 4.75 |
| Soma Vainuku | Southern Cal | 5'11 | 246 | 26 | 4.68 |
| Dan Vitale | Northwestern | 6'1 | 239 | 30 | 4.60 |
| DeAndre Washington | Texas Tech | 5'8 | 204 | 24 | 4.49 |
| Brandon Wilds | South Carolina | 6'1 | 220 | 21 | 4.54 |
| Arkansas | 5'11 | 220 | 16 |
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