PFN Lists Vikings CB as One of the Fastest Players in NFL Ahead of 2023 Season
Particularly in recent years, the NFL scouting combine has turned into a spectacle observed by football fans across the country and the world. One of the most talked about events at the event every year is the 40-yard dash. Everyone wants to see their favorite draft prospects put together blazing fast times, and as each year goes by, the times seem get quicker and quicker.
Ahead of this summer’s training camp, Pro Football Network put together a list of who they believe to be the fastest players in the NFL. One of the Minnesota Vikings players made the list, and it should be no surprise: CB Kalon Barnes.
During the 2022 combine ahead of that spring’s draft, Barnes put together one of the fastest 40-yard dash performances we’ve ever seen, blistering the course in 4.23 seconds, just a hundredth of a second behind John Ross’ 4.22 for the fastest time ever recorded in the event’s history. Here is what PFN said of the young Vikings CB:
Baylor seems to find speed across the country for their football program. John Ross has produced the fastest 40-yard dash time in history at 4.22, but Kalon Barnes’ 4.23 was just 0.01 off of it.
There’s no guarantee that Barnes can maintain a spot on the Minnesota Vikings. In fact, he may not get to consistently show off his speed at the NFL level unless he returns kicks or punts, which is something he hasn’t done to this point in his college or NFL career.
Barnes is listed as the second-fastest player on PFN’s list, with only Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill edging him out. Hill, who has earned himself the nickname “Cheetah,” has caused chronic headaches for opposing defensive coordinators throughout his career as they try to scheme against his ridiculously explosive speed. The other nine players on the list are as follows:
- RB Raheem Mostert
- WR Marquis Goodwin
- CB Tariq Woolen
- KR KaVontae Turpin
- WR Jalin Hyatt
- WR Christian Watson
- WR Jaylen Waddle
- WR DK Metcalf
- LB Micah Parsons
Hilariously, the Miami Dolphins employ three players on this list, and it should be expected that every game is a track meet this year. There is an argument to be made that their rookie third-round pick, RB Devon Achane, should also be included after he ran a 4.32 at this spring’s combine.
Luckily, the Vikings young secondary doesn’t have to deal with these high-flying Dolphins in 2023, but they will go up against Packers WR Christian Watson twice. If Barnes sticks around in Minnesota into the fall, perhaps we could see the two match up at some point.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.
