Bob Sanders
DB, Iowa · 2004 NFL Draft, Round 2, pick #44 (IND)
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 #59 (#3 at his position), close to where he went (#44).
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
Iowa: 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 4.35 40-yard dash at 204 lbs: faster than 94% of DBs 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
DB (DB group).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.7% of the time (1,116 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 50 of ~128 possible regular-season games from 2004 through 2011 (~39%). Last NFL season: 2011.
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 | 50 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 2 |
| Pro Bowls | 2 |
| First-team All-Pro | 2 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 33 |
| Defense | 229 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 6 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2011 |
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 DB | 50.7% n=1,116 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 5' 8", 204 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.35 s |
| Bench press | 15 reps |
| Vertical | 41.5" |
| Broad jump | 128" |
| 3-cone | 6.7 s |
| Shuttle | 3.91 s |
| Age at draft | 23 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #59 overall (#3 DB) |
Picked around him 2004 redraft
| 41 | Tatum Bell | redraft #80 |
| 42 | Travis LaBoy | redraft #84 |
| 43 | Julius Jones | redraft #41 |
| 45 | Jake Grove | redraft #86 |
| 46 | Justin Smiley | redraft #64 |
| 47 | Tank Johnson | redraft #82 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.