Ben Watson
TE, Georgia · 2004 NFL Draft, Round 1, pick #32 (NWE)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Nothing in our pre-draft data flagged him as a steal: his age, school, testing and position profile looked like a typical pick in his range. The gap opened after the draft, on the field.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #36 (#3 at his position), close to where he went (#32).
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.
- 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
Georgia: 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 4.50 40-yard dash at 258 lbs: faster than 96% of TEs timed at the Combine since 2000.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.6% of the time (973 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.
- Availability
Played 205 of ~256 possible regular-season games from 2004 through 2019 (~80%). Last NFL season: 2019.
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 | 205 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 11 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 40 |
| Rushing | 2 att, 10 yds, undefined TD |
| Receiving | 547 rec, 6,058 yds, 44 TD |
| Defense | 1 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2019 |
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
| Pre-draft rankings Within a round of ESPN's rank | 50.6% n=2,104 | |
| Age 23 | 50.4% n=2,127 | |
| School Power-conference school | 50.3% n=4,181 | |
| Athletic testing Top 25% at his position | 51.6% n=973 | |
| Position TE | 37.1% n=321 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 3", 258 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.50 s |
| Bench press | 34 reps |
| Vertical | 35.5" |
| Broad jump | 123" |
| 3-cone | 7.38 s |
| Shuttle | 4.11 s |
| Age at draft | 23 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #36 overall (#3 TE) |
Picked around him 2004 redraft
| 29 | Michael Jenkins | redraft #36 |
| 30 | Kevin Jones | redraft #67 |
| 31 | Rashaun Woods | redraft #184 |
| 33 | Karlos Dansby | redraft #7 |
| 34 | Chris Snee | redraft #8 |
| 35 | Igor Olshansky | redraft #38 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.