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Who doesn't love speed?
Bengals seventh-round rookie receiver Mario Alford ran a 4.43 40-yard sprint during the 2015 National Scouting Combine. He (allegedly) improved that to 4.27 seconds during West Virginia's Pro Day... which was faster than J.J. Nelson's 4.28 during this year's Combine.
Starting quarterback Andy Dalton has been struck with a lasting impression, adding that "When the ball's in his hands, he can really go." Thanks Andy, for that top-notch commentary.
"He's still learning, especially with what he was doing in college," Dalton said. "It was a little different. He was moving all over the place. He's explosive, you definitely can see that. The more he learns, the better he will be."
Alford opened his NFL career as a project for Darrin Simmons, the team's special teams coordinator, during rookie minicamp. While Alford averaged 28.6 yards per kickoff return in 2014 (with two touchdowns), he only returned three punts during his college career.
At this rate, Alford will be one of the team's four receivers (primarily a returner on special teams) penciled into the 2015 season, joining A.J. Green, Mohamed Sanu, and Marvin Jones. But we're just speculating.