how close was justin gatlin to making an nfl roster

Justin Gatlin was never especially close to making a regular NFL roster. He did get real tryout looks with the Tennessee Titans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Cincinnati-area pro-day attention , but the public record shows he was ultimately not signed to an NFL roster and was viewed more as an athletic curiosity than a polished football prospect.

Quick scoop

Gatlin’s football shot was legitimate enough to draw NFL scouts, and he reportedly posted strong workout numbers, including a 4.42–4.45 second 40-yard dash at a pro-day setting. But speed alone wasn’t enough: he was trying to convert from track to wide receiver after already being known primarily as an Olympic sprinter, which made the transition a long shot from the start.

How close was he?

• Closer than a random celebrity tryout , because teams actually brought him in and evaluated him.

• Not close enough to make a roster , because there’s no record of him earning a regular-season spot, and reports at the time described his chances as long odds.

• Most likely a camp/tryout candidate only , rather than someone projected to stick on a depth chart.

What held him back

NFL receivers need more than straight-line speed:

• route running.
• releases versus press coverage.
• catching traffic passes.
• football reps and instincts.

Gatlin had elite speed, but he was still a track athlete first, and even supportive coverage framed him as intriguing rather than ready-made NFL talent.

Bottom line

If “close” means getting a real chance to audition , then yes, he got that far. If “close” means being on the verge of making an NFL roster , then no — he was a long way off.

TL;DR: Justin Gatlin had NFL tryouts and impressed with speed, but he never came close to actually making a roster.