Taylor Mays’ blazing forty time wasn’t quite as fast as it appeared.
Perhaps because of an itchy trigger finger by a NFL Network employee, Mays’ unofficial time of 4.24 went all the way up to a 4.43.
Chris Johnson was not amused on Twitter: “Man yall killsme me w/ ths 40’s stevie wonder must B doing the unofficial times how u go from 4.24 2 4.43 I made em kissdababy,” Johnson wrote. (The Network plans to replace Wonder next season.)
NFLN showed Mays only about a step behind Jacoby Ford’s 4.28 when played side by side, which makes us question these times even more.
Ultimately, Mays helped himself, but not that much. Tennessee safety Eric Berry ran an official 4.47 and had one of the best vertical jumps in the history of the combine.
Texas safety Earl Thomas, Mike Mayock’s favorite, ran unofficial times of 4.44 and a 4.53, which should allay any concerns about his speed. But his official time was something slower than a 4.47. He may be the most instinctive player of the three safeties.
With Thomas and Berry excelling and Florida cornerback Joe Haden struggling Tuesday, it’s possible we’ll see two safeties drafted in April before a cornerback.