5 most impressive NFL Combine performances of all time ft. John Ross' 4.22 40-yard dash

#3 - WR John Ross, 2017

Cincinnati Bengals v Los Angeles Chargers

John Ross entered the 2017 NFL Combine as a player with high potential but smashed expectations at the event.

Ross ran a 4.22 40-yard dash, eclipsing the 4.24 record set by Chris Johnson in 2008. Unfortunately for Ross, he pulled up at the end of his run, which became a sign of things to come.

He struggled mightily with injuries after the Cincinnati Bengals took him 9th overall in the draft, totaling just 957 yards and 11 touchdowns during his five seasons with the Bengals and New York Giants. The player drafted immediately after Ross was none other than QB Patrick Mahomes.

#2 - WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, 2009

AFC Championship - Pittsburgh Steelers v New England Patriots

Darrius Heyward-Bey may have been a disappointment in the NFL, but his Combine was what he's most remembered for.

Heyward-Bey ran a 4.25 40-yard dash - the second-fastest of all time at that point. He also posted an 8.5-inch vertical, 10’6″ broad jump and 4.18-second short shuttle. Heyward-Bey was taken 7th overall by the Oakland Raiders, but he never lived up to the hype, failing to top 1,000 yards in a season.

#1 - RB Saquon Barkley, 2018

Philadelphia Eagles v New York Giants

Superstar running back Saquon Barkley had arguably the best Combine showing of all time in 2018. Barkley balled out with a 4.40 40-yard dash, 1.54 10-yard split, 29 bench-press reps and a 41-inch vertical jump.

To put these numbers into context, he benched more than legendary lineman Joe Thomas and had a higher vertical jump than future Hall of Fame WR Julio Jones.

Barkley was taken 2nd overall by the New York Giants, to the shock of many who saw taking a running back so high as a mistake. However, Barkley won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and has made two Pro Bowls despite suffering various injuries throughout his career.