Chris Cooley
TE, Utah St. · 2004 NFL Draft, Round 3, pick #81 (WAS)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: age. 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.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #77 (#4 at his position), close to where he went (#81). 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
Utah St.: 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 4.87 40-yard dash at 265 lbs: faster than 11% of TEs 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
TE (TE group).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 37.1% of the time (321 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 117 of ~144 possible regular-season games from 2004 through 2012 (~81%). Last NFL season: 2012.
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 | 117 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 6 |
| Pro Bowls | 2 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 34 |
| Rushing | 2 att, 3 yds, undefined TD |
| Receiving | 429 rec, 4,711 yds, 33 TD |
| Defense | 2 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2012 |
The 2004 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2004 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 Non-Power school (Group of 5 / FCS / smaller) | 50.5% n=1,426 | |
| Athletic testing Bottom 25% at his position | 50.2% n=1,232 | |
| Position TE | 37.1% n=321 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 3", 265 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.87 s |
| Bench press | 22 reps |
| Vertical | 33" |
| Broad jump | 115" |
| 3-cone | 7.21 s |
| Shuttle | 4.19 s |
| Age at draft | 22 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #77 overall (#4 TE) |
Picked around him 2004 redraft
| 78 | Bernard Berrian | redraft #59 |
| 79 | Marquis Cooper | redraft #165 |
| 80 | Caleb Miller | redraft #119 |
| 82 | Devard Darling | redraft #147 |
| 83 | Stephen Peterman | redraft #48 |
| 84 | Sean Locklear | redraft #37 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.