Ace Sanders
WR, South Carolina · 2013 NFL Draft, Round 4, pick #101 (JAX)
Why he went too high Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being overvalued: pre-draft rankings, position. Details below.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #171 (#20 at his position); he went #101, 70 spots earlier. Teams were higher on him than the media board was.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 48.9% of the time (896 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Position
WR (WR group).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 40.4% of the time (718 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Age
21 years old at the draft (nflverse).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 56.6% of the time (663 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- School
South Carolina: a Power-conference school (our conference list).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.3% of the time (4,181 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Athletic testing
Ran a 4.58 40-yard dash at 173 lbs: faster than 12% of WRs timed at the Combine since 2000.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.2% of the time (1,232 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 27 of ~32 possible regular-season games from 2013 through 2014 (~84%). Last NFL season: 2014.
Every line comes from data: nflverse draft, combine and career data; ESPN's pre-draft ranks. No scouting reports or quotes. Green = pointed toward a bust for him.
Career numbers
| Games | 27 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 0 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 3 |
| Passing | 1/1, 21 yds, 1 TD, undefined INT |
| Rushing | 2 att, 4 yds, undefined TD |
| Receiving | 57 rec, 539 yds, 1 TD |
| Defense | 1 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2014 |
The 2013 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2013 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Pre-draft rankings Taken 32+ picks before ESPN's rank | 48.9% n=896 | |
| Position WR | 40.4% n=718 | |
| Age 21 or younger | 56.6% n=663 | |
| School Power-conference school | 50.3% n=4,181 | |
| Athletic testing Bottom 25% at his position | 50.2% n=1,232 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 5' 7", 173 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.58 s |
| Bench press | 7 reps |
| Vertical | 32" |
| Broad jump | 117" |
| 3-cone | 6.81 s |
| Shuttle | 4.37 s |
| Arm / hand | 29.4" / 8.7" |
| Age at draft | 21 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #171 overall (#20 WR) |
Picked around him 2013 redraft
| 98 | Matt Barkley | redraft #159 |
| 99 | Nico Johnson | redraft #177 |
| 100 | Akeem Spence | redraft #58 |
| 102 | Josh Boyce | redraft #199 |
| 103 | Alex Okafor | redraft #53 |
| 104 | Jelani Jenkins | redraft #92 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.