Alex Highsmith
LB, Charlotte · 2020 NFL Draft, Round 3, pick #102 (PIT)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: position, availability. Details below.
- 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 89 of ~101 possible regular-season games from 2020 through 2025 (~88%). Plus 7 games so far in 2026.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #265 (#25 at his position); he went #102, 163 spots earlier. So teams were actually higher on him than the media board was; everyone underrated him.
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.
- Age
23 years old at the draft (nflverse).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.4% of the time (2,127 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- School
Charlotte: not a Power-conference school (our conference list).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.5% of the time (1,426 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Athletic testing
Ran a 4.70 40-yard dash at 248 lbs: faster than 34% of LBs timed at the Combine since 2000.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.5% of the time (2,288 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 numberslive
| Games | 96 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 5 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 35 |
| 2026 in-season credit (est.) | 2.1 |
| Redraft value (wAV + 2026) | 37.1 |
| Defense | 218 tackles, 48 sacks, 3 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2026 |
Career wAV via nflverse draft_picks + 2026 in-season credit from snap counts through Week 7.
The 2020 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2020 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Position LB | 56.8% n=701 | |
| Pre-draft rankings Taken 32+ picks before ESPN's rank | 48.9% n=896 | |
| Age 23 | 50.4% n=2,127 | |
| School Non-Power school (Group of 5 / FCS / smaller) | 50.5% n=1,426 | |
| Athletic testing Middle 50% | 50.5% n=2,288 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 3", 248 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.70 s |
| Vertical | 33" |
| Broad jump | 125" |
| 3-cone | 7.32 s |
| Shuttle | 4.31 s |
| Arm / hand | 33.13" / 9.13" |
| Age at draft | 23 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #265 overall (#25 LB) |
Picked around him 2020 redraft
| 99 | Matt Peart | redraft #142 |
| 100 | Tanner Muse | redraft #204 |
| 101 | Dalton Keene | redraft #233 |
| 103 | Davion Taylor | redraft #180 |
| 104 | Terrell Burgess | redraft #164 |
| 105 | Adam Trautman | redraft #107 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.