Cameron Heyward
DE, Ohio St. · 2011 NFL Draft, Round 1, pick #31 (PIT)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: age, 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.
- Availability
Played 234 of ~245 possible regular-season games from 2011 through 2025 (career total from PFR, which may already include some 2026 games) (~96%).
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #31 (#10 at his position), close to where he went (#31). The whole market, not just his team, missed on him.
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.
- School
Ohio St.: 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 4.95 40-yard dash at 294 lbs: faster than 41% of DLs 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.
- Position
DE (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.
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 | 234 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 13 |
| Pro Bowls | 7 |
| First-team All-Pro | 4 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 115 |
| Defense | 485 tackles, 93 sacks, 2 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2026 |
The 2011 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2011 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 | |
| Pre-draft rankings Within a round of ESPN's rank | 50.6% n=2,104 | |
| School Power-conference school | 50.3% n=4,181 | |
| Athletic testing Middle 50% | 50.5% n=2,288 | |
| 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' 5", 294 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.95 s |
| Vertical | 30" |
| Arm / hand | 34.2" / 10.1" |
| Age at draft | 22 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #31 overall (#10 DE) |
Picked around him 2011 redraft
| 28 | Mark Ingram | redraft #16 |
| 29 | Gabe Carimi | redraft #98 |
| 30 | Muhammad Wilkerson | redraft #25 |
| 32 | Derek Sherrod | redraft #171 |
| 33 | Ras-I Dowling | redraft #195 |
| 34 | Aaron Williams | redraft #79 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.