INDIANAPOLIS — Darren McFadden is a long way from proving he will set the NFL on fire like Adrian Peterson did as the signature player from last year's draft.

But the Arkansas running back is out of the blocks fast.

McFadden wowed scouts with a 40-yard dash Sunday officially timed at 4.33 seconds (as low as 4.27 hand-timed), backing up his declaration that he is the best player in the April 26-27 draft.

"He absolutely helped himself," said Mike Mayock, The NFL Network's draft guru. "He is what I thought he was. He has great burst and acceleration."

Peterson, weighing 217 pounds, timed at 4.38 in the 40-yard dash at last year's combine and then set the NFL's single-game rushing record (296 yards) en route to rookie of the year honors. McFadden, 6-2, weighed 211 pounds.

Yet a blazing 40 goes only so far when determining the draft's top pick, which belongs to the Miami Dolphins.

Peterson wasn't drafted until seventh overall by the Minnesota Vikings. And with Ronnie Brown returning, the Dolphins apparently have more critical needs than running back.

Wherever he lands, McFadden welcomes the comparisons to Peterson. "I admire Adrian Peterson," he said. "He's a great running back. If I go in and do all the work that I should ... I could have the type of season he did."

Billy Devaney, the St. Louis Rams' new executive vice president-player personnel, said the similarities are on the surface. He said Peterson is a "vicious runner" while McFadden is an athletic "glider" more skilled as a receiver.

"Probably the comparison is last year," Devaney said. "Peterson was the best back. And McFadden is the best back this year, in most people's eyes. But that's where the comparison ends. They're two totally different styles."