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NFL Execs Dispute Carnell Tate's 40-Yard Dash Time

3/4/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Adam Schefter reported that several NFL executives clocked Carnell Tate's 40-yard dash at under 4.5 seconds, while the official time was 4.52 seconds.
Mike Florio accused Schefter of acting as a mouthpiece for Tate's agent, Drew Rosenhaus.
The Athletic supported Schefter's claims, and others noted teams often rely on their own timing methods.
As teams assess their own records, the impact of Tate's time on his draft stock remains uncertain.

History

Historical Context

In 1985, the NFL implemented standardized timing methods for player evaluations, establishing an official system to record 40-yard dash times. This change aimed to enhance fairness in the draft process, reflecting ongoing debates about timing accuracy, as discrepancies have historically impacted player evaluations and team decisions, underscoring the competitive nature of the NFL draft.

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Story summary

Adam Schefter reported that several NFL executives clocked Carnell Tate's 40-yard dash at under 4.5 seconds, while the official time was 4.52 seconds.
Mike Florio accused Schefter of acting as a mouthpiece for Tate's agent, Drew Rosenhaus.
The Athletic supported Schefter's claims, and others noted teams often rely on their own timing methods.
As teams assess their own records, the impact of Tate's time on his draft stock remains uncertain.

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