Bernard Pierce
RB, Temple · 2012 NFL Draft, Round 3, pick #84 (BAL)
Why he went too high Patterns
Nothing in our pre-draft data flagged him as a risk: his 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 #90 (#8 at his position), close to where he went (#84).
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
21 years old at the draft (nflverse).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 56.6% of the time (663 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- School
Temple: 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 4.45 40-yard dash at 218 lbs: faster than 76% of RBs 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
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.
- Availability
Played 52 of ~64 possible regular-season games from 2012 through 2015 (~81%). Last NFL season: 2015.
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 | 52 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 0 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 10 |
| Rushing | 359 att, 1,345 yds, 5 TD |
| Receiving | 32 rec, 171 yds, undefined TD |
| Last NFL season | 2015 |
The 2012 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2012 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 21 or younger | 56.6% n=663 | |
| School Non-Power school (Group of 5 / FCS / smaller) | 50.5% n=1,426 | |
| Athletic testing Top 25% at his position | 51.6% n=973 | |
| 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 | 6' 0", 218 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.45 s |
| Bench press | 17 reps |
| Vertical | 36.5" |
| Broad jump | 123" |
| 3-cone | 7.07 s |
| Shuttle | 4.28 s |
| Arm / hand | 31.4" / 9.2" |
| Age at draft | 21 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #90 overall (#8 RB) |
Picked around him 2012 redraft
| 81 | Tyrone Crawford | redraft #52 |
| 82 | Mike Martin | redraft #139 |
| 83 | Mohamed Sanu | redraft #46 |
| 85 | Bill Bentley | redraft #166 |
| 86 | Sean Spence | redraft #103 |
| 87 | John Hughes | redraft #121 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.