The 40-yard dash is the most-anticipated event at the NFL Combine every year.Seeing some of the world’s best athletes fire off and accelerate at ridiculous speeds is simply tantalizing to watch.However, it’s important to ask whether or not 40 times matter.In other words, is it a signal of things to come? Have the fastest dashers had success at the NFL, where they could seemingly use their elite speed as an advantage?Here are the top five 40-yard dashers in NFL Combine history and where they are today in their respective careers.

T-5. Jalen Myrick, 2017 (CB, Minnesota): 4.28 seconds

A defensive back at the NFL level needs to have elite speed in order to keep up with a crop of wide receivers that consistently seems to get bigger, faster and stronger year-by-year. Myrick posted the fastest 40-time in Big 10 history at this year’s combine, but is still slated to be a late-round selection on the third day of the upcoming draft, according to ESPN’s Mel Kiper.

T-5. Jacoby Ford, 2010 (WR, Clemson): 4.28 seconds

Ford was selected in the fourth round by the Oakland Raiders in 2010 and spent four underwhelming seasons with the organization.

After that, he was signed and cut by both the New York Jets and Tennessee Titans before attempting to take his talents north of the border. Unfortunately, first the Edmonton Eskimos and then the Montreal Alouettes signed and released him in 2016, leaving him searching for an opportunity.

A return to the NFL seems unlikely at this point.

T-5. J.J. Nelson, 2015 (WR, UAB): 4.28 seconds

Taken in the fifth round by the Arizona Cardinals in 2015, Nelson has had the misfortune of playing behind some talented receivers so far in his career. In 2016, he amassed 568 receiving yards on 34 receptions to go along with six touchdowns in 15 games played.

However, once the Cardinals were eliminated from playoff contention late in the season, Nelson saw his role within the offense increase, and he received 11, 7 and 12 targets respectively over the last three weeks of the season. In Week 16 against the Seattle Seahawks, he caught three passes for 132 yards and a touchdown, showing off his breakaway speed on an 80-yard scoring play.

He will likely see his role within Arizona’s offense increase in 2017.

T-5. DeMarcus Van Dyke, 2011 (DB, Miami): 4.28 seconds

Taken in the third round by the Oakland Raiders in 2011, Van Dyke played in 14 games during his rookie season, starting four. However, he didn’t perform well and was subsequently released. He then moved on to spend two years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but never started another NFL game.

Since then, he has been signed and cut by the Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons and is currently an unrestricted free agent.

4. Marquise Goodwin, 2013 (WR, Texas): 4.27 seconds

Goodwin was taken in the third round of the 2013 Draft by the Buffalo Bills, but never produced the way he or the team hoped he would, catching just 49 passes for 78-yards over four injury-ridden seasons. He surprisingly was able to make the 2012 Olympic Games as a long jumper and was able to earn a second contract this offseason on Kyle Shanahan’s San Francisco 49ers.

David Fucillo of Niners Nation noted that the best may be yet to come for the speedster, writing, “Goodwin could end up operating in a role similar to what Kyle Shanahan did with Taylor Gabriel in Atlanta (in 2016). Goodwin is listed at 5-foot-9, 179 pounds to Gabriel’s 5-foot-8, 165 pounds, but the extra 14 pounds likely don’t make him any slower than Gabriel.”

3. Dri Archer, 2014 (RB, Kent State): 4.26 seconds

The Steelers selected Archer in the third round back in 2014 as they envisioned him as a punt and kick return threat as well as a third-down or change of pace running back based on his incredible wheels.

However, his skill set didn’t translate well to the NFL level and he was cut by the Steelers midway through the 2015 season.

He is now out of the league.

2. Chris Johnson, 2008 (RB, East Carolina): 4.24 seconds

Johnson held the record for nine years, but was displaced by Ross.

After many productive seasons in the league, including his famous 2,006-yard rushing display in 2009, Johnson only played in four games last season for the Arizona Cardinals and has been a member of three different teams over the last four seasons at the tail end of his career.

He is currently a free agent who’s waiting for an opportunity to come his way.

1. John Ross, 2017 (WR, Washington): 4.22 seconds

Ross wowed everyone when he recorded the fastest time in the history of the combine in this year’s event. Originally projected to be a first, second or third round pick, Ross solidified himself as one of the most intriguing prospects in the entire draft class with the jaw-dropping time.

After his pro day on Saturday, Ross met with the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday and got a chance to meet the entire offensive coaching staff. Ross has drawn comparisons to DeSean Jackson, based on his explosive and electric ability to avoid defenders in the open field

"I was a fan of the Eagles because they got DeSean," Ross told Chase Goodbread of NFL.com.

Ross underwent minor shoulder surgery on Tuesday, but will be a definite on many teams’ draft boards due to his incredible time.

As you can see, the results widely vary and it’s safe to say that 40 times are not a clear determinant of future success at the NFL level. Chris Johnson is the only player of the bunch who has had a considerable impact in the pro ranks so far.

Ross will look to add his name to the currently barren list of insanely fast runners who have had success in the NFL.