Chris Clemons
DB, Clemson · 2009 NFL Draft, Round 5, pick #165 (MIA)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: pre-draft rankings. Details below.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #121 overall (#8 at his position), but he lasted until pick #165: teams let him slide 44 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
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
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 4.33 40-yard dash at 208 lbs: faster than 96% 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 80 of ~112 possible regular-season games from 2009 through 2015 (~71%). 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 steal for him.
Career numbers
| Games | 80 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 3 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 20 |
| Rushing | 1 att, 3 yds, undefined TD |
| Defense | 212 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 4 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2015 |
The 2009 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2009 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 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 | 6' 0", 208 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.33 s |
| Bench press | 19 reps |
| Vertical | 37.5" |
| Broad jump | 127" |
| 3-cone | 7.27 s |
| Shuttle | 4.38 s |
| Age at draft | 23 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #121 overall (#8 DB) |
Picked around him 2009 redraft
| 162 | Jamon Meredith | redraft #100 |
| 163 | Duke Robinson | redraft #240 |
| 164 | Thomas Morstead | redraft #55 |
| 166 | Michael Hamlin | redraft #210 |
| 167 | Herman Johnson | redraft #241 |
| 168 | Joe Burnett | redraft #184 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.