Ben Hartsock
TE, Ohio St. · 2004 NFL Draft, Round 3, pick #68 (IND)
Why he went too high Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being overvalued: age, position. Details below.
- Age
24 years old at the draft (nflverse).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 44.9% of the time (548 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Position
TE (TE group).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 37.1% of the time (321 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #99 (#6 at his position), close to where he went (#68).
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
Ohio St.: 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 4.80 40-yard dash at 263 lbs: faster than 26% of TEs 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.
- Availability
Played 131 of ~160 possible regular-season games from 2004 through 2013 (~82%). Last NFL season: 2013.
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 | 131 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 2 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 2 |
| Receiving | 31 rec, 312 yds, 1 TD |
| Defense | 5 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2013 |
The 2004 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2004 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Age 24 or older | 44.9% n=548 | |
| Position TE | 37.1% n=321 | |
| 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 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 4", 263 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.80 s |
| Bench press | 23 reps |
| Vertical | 35" |
| Broad jump | 117" |
| 3-cone | 7.1 s |
| Shuttle | 3.98 s |
| Age at draft | 24 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #99 overall (#6 TE) |
Picked around him 2004 redraft
| 65 | Nate Kaeding | redraft #83 |
| 66 | Nick Hardwick | redraft #13 |
| 67 | Stuart Schweigert | redraft #91 |
| 69 | Gilbert Gardner | redraft #121 |
| 70 | Joey Thomas | redraft #160 |
| 71 | Randy Starks | redraft #16 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.