Brian Urlacher
LB, New Mexico · 2000 NFL Draft, Round 1, pick #9 (CHI)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: age, position, availability. Details below.
- 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.
- Position
LB (LB group).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 56.8% of the time (701 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 182 of ~208 possible regular-season games from 2000 through 2012 (~88%). Last NFL season: 2012.
- Pre-draft rankings
No ESPN pre-draft ranking on file for him.
- School
New Mexico: 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 4.59 40-yard dash at 258 lbs: faster than 71% of LBs 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.
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 | 182 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 12 |
| Pro Bowls | 8 |
| First-team All-Pro | 4 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 119 |
| Passing | undefined/1, 0 yds, undefined TD, undefined INT |
| Receiving | 1 rec, 27 yds, 1 TD |
| Defense | 1046 tackles, 41.5 sacks, 22 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2012 |
The 2000 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2000 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Age 22 | 56.1% n=2,011 | |
| Position LB | 56.8% n=701 | |
| School Non-Power school (Group of 5 / FCS / smaller) | 50.5% n=1,426 | |
| 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", 258 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.59 s |
| Bench press | 27 reps |
| Vertical | 34" |
| Broad jump | 122" |
| 3-cone | 6.94 s |
| Shuttle | 4.18 s |
| Age at draft | 22 |
Picked around him 2000 redraft
| 6 | Corey Simon | redraft #32 |
| 7 | Thomas Jones | redraft #15 |
| 8 | Plaxico Burress | redraft #8 |
| 10 | Travis Taylor | redraft #58 |
| 11 | Ron Dayne | redraft #78 |
| 12 | Shaun Ellis | redraft #7 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.