Chris Borland
LB, Wisconsin · 2014 NFL Draft, Round 3, pick #77 (SFO)
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 #79 (#2 at his position), close to where he went (#77).
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
Wisconsin: 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 4.83 40-yard dash at 248 lbs: faster than 8% of LBs 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
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 14 of ~16 possible regular-season games from 2014 through 2014 (~88%). Last NFL season: 2014.
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 | 14 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 1 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 6 |
| Defense | 84 tackles, 1 sacks, 2 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2014 |
The 2014 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2014 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 Bottom 25% at his position | 50.2% n=1,232 | |
| Position LB | 56.8% n=701 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 5' 11", 248 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.83 s |
| Bench press | 27 reps |
| Vertical | 31" |
| Broad jump | 114" |
| 3-cone | 7.18 s |
| Shuttle | 4.27 s |
| Arm / hand | 29.2" / 9.7" |
| Age at draft | 23 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #79 overall (#2 LB) |
Picked around him 2014 redraft
| 74 | Jay Bromley | redraft #146 |
| 75 | Tre Mason | redraft #125 |
| 76 | Travis Swanson | redraft #73 |
| 78 | Spencer Long | redraft #77 |
| 79 | Terrence Brooks | redraft #128 |
| 80 | Dexter McDougle | redraft #185 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.