Ameer Abdullah
RB, Nebraska · 2015 NFL Draft, Round 2, pick #54 (DET)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: age, 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.
- Availability
Played 160 of ~181 possible regular-season games from 2015 through 2025 (career total from PFR, which may already include some 2026 games) (~88%).
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #44 (#3 at his position), close to where he went (#54).
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
Nebraska: 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 4.60 40-yard dash at 205 lbs: faster than 27% of RBs 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.
- Position
RB (RB group).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 46.1% of the time (501 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 | 160 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 2 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 22 |
| Rushing | 518 att, 2,099 yds, 9 TD |
| Receiving | 221 rec, 1,569 yds, 11 TD |
| Defense | 30 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2026 |
The 2015 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2015 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 | |
| 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 Middle 50% | 50.5% n=2,288 | |
| Position RB | 46.1% n=501 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 5' 9", 205 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.60 s |
| Bench press | 24 reps |
| Vertical | 42.5" |
| Broad jump | 130" |
| 3-cone | 6.79 s |
| Shuttle | 3.95 s |
| Age at draft | 22 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #44 overall (#3 RB) |
Picked around him 2015 redraft
| 51 | Nate Orchard | redraft #121 |
| 52 | Jordan Phillips | redraft #55 |
| 53 | Jake Fisher | redraft #115 |
| 55 | Maxx Williams | redraft #123 |
| 56 | Senquez Golson | redraft #229 |
| 57 | Rob Havenstein | redraft #11 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.