Ever tried to catch a ghost? That’s basically what it feels like for NFL cornerbacks trying to shadow DeVonta Smith. People obsess over the devonta smith 40 yard dash time like it’s some kind of definitive DNA test for speed, but the truth is a lot messier. If you go looking for an official Combine number, you’re going to be looking for a while.
He never ran it.
Seriously. In 2021, the world was still upside down, the NFL Combine was basically a series of Zoom calls and medical checks, and Smith—fresh off a Heisman Trophy season that made defensive coordinators want to quit their jobs—decided he didn't need to prove anything on a track. He was the "Slim Reaper" for a reason. You don’t win the Heisman as a receiver by being slow, but you also don't necessarily need a 4.2-second laser-timed sprint to be the best player on the field.
The Mystery of the Missing Number
The weirdest thing about the devonta smith 40 yard dash time is that everyone thinks they know what it is. You’ll see 4.49 tossed around on some sites. Others swear he’s a 4.42 guy. Jim Nagy, the director of the Senior Bowl and a guy who has seen more prospects than most of us have seen movies, once mentioned that Smith clocked in the "high 4.4 range" during spring testing back when he was a sophomore at Alabama.
That sounds about right.
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But here’s the kicker: DeVonta himself didn't care. When his Pro Day rolled around at Alabama, he showed up, weighed in at a light 170 pounds, and then just... cheered for his teammates. He didn’t run. He didn’t jump. He let the tape do the talking. And honestly? When your tape shows you torching future NFL starters in the SEC every Saturday, a 40-yard dash feels a bit like asking a Michelin-star chef to prove they can boil an egg.
Why the 40-Yard Dash Can Be Liar
Football speed and track speed are cousins, but they aren't twins. If you watch Smith play for the Philadelphia Eagles today, he doesn't look like a guy who’s "only" running a 4.5. He’s got this weird, gliding stride. It’s deceptive. He’s what scouts call "fluid."
- Acceleration vs. Top Speed: Some guys are rockets for 20 yards then plateau.
- The "Thin" Factor: His 170-pound frame (sometimes even lower) meant he didn't have much wind resistance, but it also meant scouts worried about his "Speed Score"—a metric that adjusts 40 times for weight.
- Route Running: This is where the devonta smith 40 yard dash time becomes irrelevant. If you can’t touch a guy at the line of scrimmage because his footwork is so disgusting, it doesn't matter if you're faster than him. He’s already three yards ahead by the time you turn your hips.
I remember watching him against Ohio State in the National Championship. He had over 200 yards and three touchdowns in one half. He wasn't outrunning people like a track star; he was simply existing in spaces where the defenders weren't. It’s like he has a GPS that tells him exactly where the "empty" spots on the field are.
What the Numbers Actually Tell Us
If we have to get technical—and since you're reading this, you probably want the stats—we can look at his high school track numbers. At Amite High in Louisiana, Smith was a legit track athlete. He ran a 10.67 in the 100-meter dash. That is fast. For context, that’s moving.
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He also did the triple jump (45-3.5) and the 200-meter (22.45).
What does a 10.67 in the 100m translate to in a 40? Usually, that puts a guy right in the 4.42 to 4.48 range. It’s enough speed to be a vertical threat, but it's not "Tyreek Hill" speed. But again, look at who he was playing with at Alabama. He was in a room with Henry Ruggs III (who ran a 4.27) and Jaylen Waddle (who is basically a human blur).
Smith once famously argued with Ruggs about who was faster. He claimed he’d win a 40-yard race, though later he kind of walked that back, saying Waddle was the king of the 40 but he might take them in a 60 or 100-yard dash. It’s about the build-up. Smith is a long-strider. He needs a second to get those wheels turning, but once they're moving, he's gone.
How He Wins Without a Sub-4.3
The "Slim Reaper" moniker is perfect because he’s lethal in ways you don't see coming. Most fast guys rely on their speed to bail out bad technique. Smith is the opposite. His technique is so perfect that his speed is just the icing on the cake.
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- The Release: He uses "stutter" moves that make DBs freeze.
- Body Control: He can stop on a dime, making that devonta smith 40 yard dash time look like a 4.3 in short bursts.
- Catch Radius: He has arms that seem to grow an extra six inches when the ball is in the air.
Honestly, the obsession with the 40-yard dash is kinda silly when you realize Smith has been a top-tier WR1 in the NFL since he stepped on the field. The Eagles traded up to 10th overall to get him. They knew the numbers. They saw the 170-pound weigh-in. They didn't care because they saw the "play speed."
Is He Faster Than the Stats Say?
There is a big difference between "underwear Olympics" speed and "pads and helmet" speed. Some guys run a 4.3 in spandex but slow down to a 4.6 when they have to track a ball and worry about a safety hitting them. Smith is a "play fast" guy. He doesn't slow down to catch. He doesn't slow down to cut.
If you're drafting him for your fantasy team or arguing with your buddies at the bar, don't get hung up on a number that doesn't exist. The devonta smith 40 yard dash time is essentially a ghost story. What's real is the 1,000-yard seasons and the fact that he’s consistently open.
Expert Insight: If you really want to measure his speed, look at Next Gen Stats. They track "Max Speed" during actual plays. Smith regularly hits 20+ mph on deep routes. That’s the only number that actually matters in a game of football.
What to Do With This Information
- Stop looking for an official Combine 40 time: It doesn't exist. He didn't run at the 2021 Combine or the Alabama Pro Day.
- Use 4.48 - 4.52 as your "realistic" baseline: Based on his 100m track times and scout estimates, this is where he likely sits.
- Focus on the "10-yard split": In the NFL, the first 10 yards are more important than the full 40. Smith’s burst in that first 10 is elite, which is why he creates so much separation.
- Watch the film, not the stopwatch: If a guy is catching 70-yard touchdowns against elite corners, his 40 time is "fast enough."
Keep an eye on the Next Gen Stats during the next Eagles game. You'll see that while he might not be the fastest guy on paper, he’s almost never the second-fastest guy on the field when the ball is in the air.