A major storyline of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine will be Mississippi State wide receiver Brennen Thompson and his blazing time in the 40-yard dash. There’s a real possibility that the speedster breaks the all-time record in Indianapolis. His speed alone makes him an enticing late-round target for the New Orleans Saints.
The record was broken in 2024 when Xavier Worthy ran a 4.21 40-yard dash. It’s not unrealistic for Thompson to challenge this time. He was a world-class sprinter in high school, running a 10.22 100-meter dash. For reference, that would put him 18th in the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. He’s undoubtedly gotten quicker since and is one of the fastest players in all of sports.
Teams have learned their lesson and won’t take him in the first-round in the 2026 NFL Draft, regardless of the time. In fact, he likely won’t hear his name early on day two. This would give the Saints tremendous value by picking him later in the draft and mitigate the risk that comes with a boom-or-bust prospect.
Brenen Thompson would fit perfectly in the Saints offense
Thompson would be an excellent complement to Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele. He would be a slot receiver and allow all three starters to play together. The former Bulldog would fill in the role that Rashid Shaheed played.
Lots of fans would worry about taking a pure speedster. They’ve seen past selections like John Ross and Xavier Worthy not pan out, so they assume Thompson won’t be exceptional. However, the difference from this selection to past ones is the draft capital required. Selecting a third or fourth round receiver solely for his speed is completely reasonable and will elevate their offense. Conversely, a first round price is far too steep for it.
Overall, Thompson should be an option for the Saints either in round three or on the final day. He’s a superb deep threat and has a shot to break the 40-yard dash record at the NFL Combine. Don’t blink, or else you might miss him while running.