The New Orleans Saints have one of the NFL's elite speed threats in Rashid Shaheed, but he's got a challenger on this year's squad from an unusual position.
When Velus Jones Jr. was addressing the media on Sunday he was told that RBs coach Joel Thomas had described the new Saint as the fasted back on the team. He had a quick correction: "Fastest one on team," as in any player.
"You can’t coach speed and I felt like I’ve shown some glimpses of how dangerous I can be and being a home run hitter," Jones continued, referring in part to his 35-yard TD run at the end of one of last week's practice sessions.
The claim drew a reaction from the assembled media on hand, but there was no grin from Jones. He was completely serious. When asked if that included Shaheed, he said: "For sure. I'd bet my game check on it."
Well, OK then.
In fairness to Velus, his speed is exactly what's made him an X-factor since being converted to RB by the Bears before he arrived with the Saints. The former 3rd round pick came into the league as a receiver out of Tennessee, and his 4.31 40-yard dash was the third fastest time of any player the 2022 NFL combine. No other running back that year cracked 4.37.
His RB teammates have definitely noticed the wheels.
"I think everyone saw it," said rookie RB Devin Neal. "Yea, he’s one of the fastest guys, probably on the team and I think that’s definitely a gift that he has that can bring a lot to this team.”
But how does Shaheed feel about the comparison? We don't know for sure what the Saints WR would measure in at. He was coming off a major injury in his final college season and has never run a timed 40. But he did have a simple response when he heard the conversation: "No."
All that's left to do is set up the race.