Mad Max: Watch Rutgers football defensive back Max Melton’s impressive 40 at the NFL combine

Kristian Dyer

Sat, Mar 2, 2024, 8:22 AM·9 min read

Max Melton did more than just solidify his NFL draft stock on Friday. The former Rutgers football standout may have moved himself up firmly into Day 2 with a very strong showing during his workout.

In particular, Melton’s 4.39 time in the 40 was impressive. It was a top 10 time among defensive backs at the NFL combine.

A multi-year starter and an All-Big Ten selection at Rutgers, Melton had 32 total tackles, three interceptions and six passes defended in 2023. He also had a 40.5 inch vertical which was top six for a defensive back.

He measured in at 5-foot-11 and 187 pounds at the combine.

In running the 40, Melton looked fluid and smooth:

.@RFootball DB Max Melton’s day so far:
– 4.39u 40
– 11’4″u broad
– 40.5″u vertical
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/BE3b5TSLo4
— NFL (@NFL) March 1, 2024

On Thursday, Melton was asked about playing for Rutgers and how it prepared him for the NFL draft process. He said the Big Ten program has a good reputation among the teams he spoke with at the NFL combine:

“I meet a team, they’re like ‘You’re a Rutgers guy, you know football.’ I’m like ‘Sure enough, I definitely do know football’ I feel like the physical attributes mixed with the mental preparation, mix that all together, you’re going to have a good result on game day,” Melton told reporters at the NFL combine.

(h/t to Ric Serritella of All Access Football for the video of Melton talking about his experience at Rutgers football)

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