Akeem Ayers
LB, UCLA · 2011 NFL Draft, Round 2, pick #39 (TEN)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: age, position, availability. Details below.
- Age
22 years old at the draft (nflverse).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 56.1% of the time (2,011 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Position
LB (LB group).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 56.8% of the time (701 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 97 of ~112 possible regular-season games from 2011 through 2017 (~87%). Last NFL season: 2017.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #34 (#2 at his position), close to where he went (#39).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.6% of the time (2,104 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- School
UCLA: 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 4.81 40-yard dash at 254 lbs: faster than 11% of LBs 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.
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 steal for him.
Career numbers
| Games | 97 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 4 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 28 |
| Defense | 221 tackles, 15.5 sacks, 4 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2017 |
The 2011 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2011 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Age 22 | 56.1% n=2,011 | |
| Position LB | 56.8% n=701 | |
| Pre-draft rankings Within a round of ESPN's rank | 50.6% n=2,104 | |
| 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 | 6' 2", 254 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.81 s |
| Bench press | 18 reps |
| Vertical | 31" |
| Broad jump | 116" |
| 3-cone | 7.49 s |
| Shuttle | 4.28 s |
| Arm / hand | 33" / 9" |
| Age at draft | 22 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #34 overall (#2 LB) |
Picked around him 2011 redraft
| 36 | Colin Kaepernick | redraft #32 |
| 37 | Jabaal Sheard | redraft #30 |
| 38 | Ryan Williams | redraft #200 |
| 40 | Bruce Carter | redraft #75 |
| 41 | Jarvis Jenkins | redraft #69 |
| 42 | Brooks Reed | redraft #39 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.