Brandon Thompson
DT, Clemson · 2012 NFL Draft, Round 3, pick #93 (CIN)
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 #45 overall (#6 at his position), but he lasted until pick #93: teams let him slide 48 spots past that ranking.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 53.2% of the time (654 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- 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.
- School
Clemson: 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 5.20 40-yard dash at 314 lbs: faster than 9% of DLs timed at the Combine since 2000.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.2% of the time (1,232 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Position
DT (DL group).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 53% of the time (966 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 39 of ~64 possible regular-season games from 2012 through 2015 (~61%). 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 | 39 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 0 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 7 |
| Defense | 29 tackles, 3 sacks, 0 INT |
| 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 Slid 32+ picks past ESPN's rank | 53.2% n=654 | |
| Age 22 | 56.1% n=2,011 | |
| School Power-conference school | 50.3% n=4,181 | |
| Athletic testing Bottom 25% at his position | 50.2% n=1,232 | |
| Position DL | 53.0% n=966 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 2", 314 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 5.20 s |
| Bench press | 35 reps |
| Vertical | 31" |
| Broad jump | 100" |
| 3-cone | 7.97 s |
| Shuttle | 4.71 s |
| Arm / hand | 32.5" / 9.5" |
| Age at draft | 22 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #45 overall (#6 DT) |
Picked around him 2012 redraft
| 90 | Jake Bequette | redraft #211 |
| 91 | Lamar Holmes | redraft #119 |
| 92 | T.Y. Hilton | redraft #14 |
| 94 | Jayron Hosley | redraft #132 |
| 95 | Tony Bergstrom | redraft #107 |
| 96 | Chris Givens | redraft #105 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.