SP ratings compared to the 2025 Draft Combine 40 yard dash

[Mitch-Dolphins]

Out of curiosity, I decided to compare the speed of our WRs and CBs to the 40 yard dash times of the 2025 NFL draft combine for WRs and CBs. My findings:

Assuming 84 SP equals a 4.20 40 yard dash time (typically the fastest time), here are my findings:

NFL Draft combine for WRs: Avg 40 yards dash equaled 4.46. That equals a SP rating of 79.
PNFL ACT SP rating avg for WRs on team rosters is 83. This equates to a 40 yards dash time of 4.25.

NFL Draft combine for CBs: Avg 40 yards dash equaled 4.44. That equals a SP rating of 79.
PNFL ACT SP rating avg for CBs on team rosters is 82. This equates to a 40 yard dash time of 4.30.

NFL Draft combine for LBs: Avg 40 yard dash equaled 4.60. That equals a SP rating of 76 (LB MAX).
PNFL ACT SP rating avg for LBs on a team roster is 75. This equates to a 40 yard dash time of 4.65.

NFL Draft combine for Ss: Avg 40 yard dash equaled 4.48. That equals a SP rating of 79.
PNFL ACT SP rating avg for Ss on a team roster is 79. This equates to a 40 yard dash time of 4.44/4.48.

NFL Draft combine for HBs: Avg 40 yard dash equaled 4.48. That equals a SP rating of 79.
PNFL ACT SP rating avg for HBs on a team roster is 82. This equates to a 40 yard dash time of 4.30.

NFL Draft combine for DE/EDGEs: Avg 40 yard dash equaled 4.68. That equals a SP rating of 74.
PNFL ACT SP rating avg for DE/EDGEs on a team roster is 65. This equates to a 40 yard dash time of 5.15.

Possible considerations and discussion topics based on this data:

- Continue to lower the SP ratings for WRs, CBs and HBs until we get the avg for those positions in the 78 to 80 range. This will make positions like TE, S and LB more valuable and create more overall realism for all positions.

- Avg SP for LBs and Ss are in line with our current ACT ratings for players on rosters at those positions. However, this also means the vast majority of these players are at MAX for their position based on our scale. Should we consider increasing the MAX SP for these positions by a couple of points, but continues to keep the avg rating at the current level? This keeps the position as a whole in line with NFL speed values but allows for a little more variance for players in the PNFL.

- We should seriously consider the use of unlimited 2 DL plays or increase the SP ratings for DEs. With EDGE and DEs 40 yard dash avgs at 4.68, our DEs are no where close to those numbers. Granted, we know there are some game limitations with the OL. However, I believe that is impacted more by AC of DEs, not SP. I could be wrong.

Summary, WR, CB and HB SP ratings need to come down. S and LB SP ratings are in line on avg. Consider more use of 2 DL plays or increase DE SP ratings MAX.

[Dean-Atlanta]

Do you have the number for OLs and how they compare to our OLs in the PNFL? We should consider that too. If we're increasing SP in DEs/DTs we should consider OL SP too

This is an instance where we can test ideas in the PCFL as well. We have done a slight increase in DE/DT SP in the PCFL, we could look at adjusting WR/HB/CB SP in the PCFL (either via incremental adjustment in creating recruits or an off-season global edit, either would only be done with majority approval of coaches) and test those ideas in the PCFL. We could consider a few more points increase in DE/DT SP along with appropriate adjustment in OL SP.

WE can also entertain a discussion in the PCFL of changing rule on the use of 2-DL defensive plays in the PCFL.

What would be your suggestions in these questions?

[Mitch-Dolphins]

I can the data for every position, that's not a problem. It would probably be best to use data from the years of combines to ensure we have a solid sample size at each position. For example, only 3 QBs were timed in the 40 yard dash at the 2025 combine.

The PCFL is a good place to experiment with these things.

[Dean-Atlanta]

Is it reasonable to say the current "edge rushers" are somewhere between the traditional DEs and LBs of 1998 our game is based on? Are they bit higher SP and low ST than those DEs but not as faster and maybe a little stronger than traditional LBs?

Do we better simulate "edge rushers" in our game with higher SP/AC with lower ST DEs or by having use of more 22 defenses with at 1-2 of the LBs playing as edge rushers?

[Charlie-49ers]

Hmmm! This is interesting stuff! I will keep an eye on this thread, as I will soon start the draft preparation process by position.

[James-Eagles]

I think we need to be careful trying to draw one-to-one connect between real life numbers and attributes. Every player has countless thing that determine how they play on the field. We have 8 attributes. Also remember 40 times don't equal football speed.

[Rich-League Officer]

What James said

If you changed the DE speeds to 74, it would destroy offenses, sacks would explode.

This is a game and there is a very delicate balance to make our stats/scores close to the NFL.
There will not be attribute changes coming if I have anything to say.

If you want to achieve a stud DE, then we continue with the plan so we have far fewer maxed players.
Instead of a league were its only 98-99% players, we have many more 96-97% and just a select few at 99%
Then the DE at 65sp 92st will be valuable.

[Charlie-49ers]

Wider distribution of attributes is the road that we are on, and we are getting there. Changing attributes is not on the table.

[Matt-Jacksonville]

Instead of using modern numbers to compare to maybe we should use combine numbers from 1998.

[Mitch-Dolphins]

What James said

If you changed the DE speeds to 74, it would destroy offenses, sacks would explode.

This is a game and there is a very delicate balance to make our stats/scores close to the NFL.
There will not be attribute changes coming if I have anything to say.

If you want to achieve a stud DE, then we continue with the plan so we have far fewer maxed players.
Instead of a league were its only 98-99% players, we have many more 96-97% and just a select few at 99%
Then the DE at 65sp 92st will be valuable.

I didn't recommend increasing DE SP ratings to 74. I did recommend the increased usage of 2 DL plays since LBs being used as DEs would mimic the EDGE players in the NFL.