Rashid Shaheed has one-word response to teammate's claim about Saints' fastest player
Rashid Shaheed is one of the fastest players in the NFL, but he might have competition from one of his own teammates. New Orleans Saints running back Velus Jones Jr. is known for his speed -- he timed the 40-yard dash in just 4.31 seconds at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, and more recently got the better of the entire Saints defense on a surprise third-down draw play. And he wants it known that he isn't just the fastest player in the running backs room. He'll race anybody at Saints training camp.
"Fastest one on the team," Jones confirmed to reporters after Sunday's scrimmage. "But you can't coach speed. I feel like I've shown some glimpses of how dangerous I can be, a home run hitter."
Jones was drafted by the Chicago Bears to play wide receiver, but he showed more promise as a rusher, and the Jacksonville Jaguars tried him out in that role last year, too. All told he's gained more yards on the ground (165) than through the air (135) in his three-year NFL career so far, clocking an impressive 8.3 yards per carry.
And when he says he's the fastest player in the locker room, that includes Rashid Shaheed. When asked if he could outrace Shaheed one-on-one, Jones answered with confidence: "For sure. For sure. Yeah, I'd bet my game check on that."
While we don't have a 40 time to compare them with (Shaheed was still recovering from a college knee injury at his pro day and didn't test in the 40-yard dash), Shaheed has routinely ranked among the league's fastest players. He hit 21.13 miles per hour on his 53-yard touchdown catch against the Arizona Cardinals back in 2022. He reached 20.52 miles per hour on a 47-yard punt return against the Carolina Panthers last season. When he has a runway, he can fly.
And Shaheed wasn't fazed by Jones' comments. He shared a one-word response on social media to Jones' claims: "No." If the two line up for a sprint later in camp, they'll draw a lot of eyes.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
36 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Patriots Coach Suffers Major Health Scare During Monday's Practice
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Former Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, and Detroit Lions assistant Terrell Williams is in his first season as the defensive coordinator of the New England Patriots, and his first training camp with the team will likely be one he remembers for a while. Williams, who spent last season as the defensive line coach/run game coordinator for the NFC's top-seeded Lions, was all over social media after he suffered a pretty significant medical scare during practice on Monday. The 51-year-old assistant coach collapsed during practice and was carted off the field on a stretcher, according to multiple reports. The Boston Herald's Doug Kyed reported that Williams was treated for dehydration and his prognosis was positive, though the team was taking extra precautions with him after the incident. More NFL: Legendary Browns QB Sends Ominous Shedeur Sanders Warning to Team Former assistant head coach Terrell Williams of the Tennessee Titans looks on before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on August 12, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. Former assistant head coach Terrell Williams of the Tennessee Titans looks on before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on August 12, 2023 in Chicago, Williams being tended to in the facility, linebackers coach Zak Kuhr took over defensive play-calling duties in his absence. It's the second health scare Williams has dealt with during the offseason after taking time off back in May during offseason workouts for an undisclosed medical reason. Though he absent from the team facility, he still communicated with the team remotely from his home in Michigan. More NFL: Browns Sign Pro Bowl QB After Injuries to Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel Williams served as the defensive line coach under current Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel when he held the same position with the Titans from 2018 to 2022. He was promoted to assistant head coach/defensive line coach in 2023 — Vrabel's last as head coach before being fired and replaced by former Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan. Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots takes the field for training camp at Gillette Stadium on July 29, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots takes the field for training camp at Gillette Stadium on July 29, 2025 in Foxborough, NFL: Top Lions CB to Miss Significant Time After Suffering Concerning Injury Williams got into coaching early on during his days in college. He spent one season Fort Scott before moving onto North Carolina A&T for three seasons. He interned with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1999 while still in school He also took two other NFL internships while he was the defensive line coach at Purdue — one with the Seattle Seahawks in 2007 and another with the Dallas Cowboys in 2008.
Newsweek
36 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Philadelphia Eagles Strike Surprise Deal With AFC Team
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. An unexpected trade between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Las Vegas Raiders went down on Monday night. In a move to add depth to the secondary, the Eagles have reportedly acquired the veteran cornerback, Jakorian Bennett. In exchange, the Eagles will part ways with the defensive tackle, Thomas Booker IV. via @AdamSchefter: Trade: Raiders are sending CB Jakorian Bennett to the Eagles in exchange for DT Thomas Booker IV, per sources. Trade: Raiders are sending CB Jakorian Bennett to the Eagles in exchange for DT Thomas Booker IV, per sources. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 5, 2025 The Alabama-born cornerback entered college in 2018 at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas. He played for two seasons in Community College before making the switch to a more notable program in Maryland. Bennett spent three seasons at Maryland. During his first year, he appeared in just four games. By year two, he made 12 appearances, registering 23 tackles and three interceptions. In his final season with the Terps in 2022, Bennett collected 26 tackles and two interceptions in 12 games. Jakorian Bennett #0 of the Las Vegas Raiders warms up prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on November 17, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Jakorian Bennett #0 of the Las Vegas Raiders warms up prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on November 17, 2024 in Miami Gardens, 2023, Bennett entered the NFL Draft. He was a fourth-round pick for the Las Vegas Raiders. At the time, he was projected to be an "average backup or special teamer," by "High-cut cornerback who is more of a catch-challenger than an instinctive ballhawk. The high passes defensed total is an example of how aggressive Bennett is at the catch point, and he's clearly effective at tilting the 50/50 ball in his favor. However, his coverage tends to lack the needed anticipation and discipline to stay connected to NFL route runners. He has good size, but his coverage strength is a mix and match of man and zone with both featuring inconsistencies that will likely follow him into an NFL camp." via Lance Zierlein, NFL Analyst. During his rookie season in the NFL, Bennett picked up 14 games of action, four of which he started. As a rookie, he produced 32 tackles and three pass deflections. Last year, Bennett started in a career-high seven games, while seeing the field for 10 total matchups. He collected another 26 tackles while deflecting eight passes throughout the year. Booker parts ways with the Eagles after spending some time with the team as a depth piece. In 2022, Booker entered the NFL as a fifth-round pick for the Houston Texans out of Stanford. After suiting up for the Eagles during their Super Bowl-winning season, the 25-year-old defensive lineman will now take his talents to Las Vegas to make up for a key loss on the Raiders' defensive front. For more Philadelphia Eagles and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Eagles trade DT Thomas Booker to Raiders for CB Jakorian Bennett
The Raiders have traded cornerback Jakorian Bennett to the Eagles for defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV, according to multiple reports. The Eagles get even deeper in their cornerbacks room, with Booker joining Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Kelee Ringo, Adoree Jackson and Mac McWilliams. Bennett will join the competition with Ringo and Jackson to win a starting job. Bennett, a fourth-round pick in 2023, started 11 games and played in 13 others with the Raiders. He has 58 tackles and 11 passes defensed. The Raiders had a big need in the middle of their defensive line after releasing Christian Wilkins. Booker, a fifth-round pick of the Texans in 2022, appeared in all 17 regular-season games for the Eagles last season. He started one game and played 166 defensive snaps and 32 on special teams. He spent 2022 with the Texans, who released him out of training camp in 2023. The Eagles signed him to their practice squad, but he did not play a regular-season game in 2023.
