NFL lays Patrick Mahomes’ 40-yard dash over Braden Fiske, T’Vondre Sweat
Despite Patrick Mahomes’ requests, the NFL used his 40-yard dash as an overlay again. On Thursday, the NFL Network overlayed the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback’s 4.8-second 40-yard dash time on top of Florida State’s Braden Fiske and Texas‘ T’Vondre Sweat’s 40-yard dash attempts.
While neither defensive tackle has to run away from the opposition like Mahomes, they both boasted impressive speed. Fiske’s 40-time was particularly close to Mahomes’, crossing the 40-yard mark in 4.78 seconds. Sweat was a bit slower, running a 5.27 40-yard dash.
In Sweat’s defense, he’s hauling a bit more weight. On Thursday, Sweat weighed in 366 pounds. Sweat is the second heaviest defensive player to attend the combine in the last 25 years, with only Georgia Tech’s T.J. Barnes weighing more at 369 pounds.
Sweat’s size didn’t stop him from chasing down his foes this past season. In the 2023 campaign, Sweat was a unanimous All-American and even won the Outland Trophy. ESPN’s Mel Kiper listed Sweat as the No. 2 available defensive tackle in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Braden Fiske off to hot start at NFL Combine
For comparison, Kiper ranked Fiske as the No. 7 defensive tackle in the draft. Nonetheless, after showing off his speed at the NFL Combine, he’s likely to move up the list. Fiske also put his explosiveness on display, recording a 33.5″ vertical jump and a 9’9″ broad jump.
After five seasons at Western Michigan, Fiske spent last season in Tallahassee after joining the Seminoles in the transfer portal. In his lone season with Florida State, he tallied 43 tackles and tied a career-high with six sacks.
During his collegiate career, Fiske totaled 191 tackles, 19.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles with two recoveries in 57 games. Lance Zierlein at NFL.com complimented Fiske’s agility ahead of the draft.
“Defensive tackle with below-average mass and length who makes up for it with above-average quickness and a constantly revving engine. Fiske uses sudden hands and nimble feet to whip single blocks. Once he finds daylight, he flies to whoever has the ball,” Zierlein wrote.
“He doesn’t have the anchor to sit down and muddy gaps, so scheme will be important for him. Fiske is a hustle rusher who can win quick or late if opponents don’t play with proper hand usage and match his energy. He lacks ideal measurables but has a chance to become an impact defender.”
The NFL combine began on Feb. 26 and will continue through March 3.