The NFL will scour the Earth for a good 40-yard dash time. Just ask Denver Broncos wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni, who recalls scanning thousands of FCS and NAIA player times ahead of undrafted free agency in 2019.
"Trinity Benson was high on the list," Azzanni said.
Benson was a relative unknown out of East Central (Oklahoma) University with limited game film compared to bigger schools. But his long speed -- an official 4.44-second 40 time -- turned a perceived long shot into opportunity. The Broncos offered him $10,000 to sign. Two years later, Denver flipped Benson and a sixth-round pick to Detroit for future fifth- and seventh-round picks, and Benson is now part of Detroit's rotation with six catches on the year.