Cole Van Lanen
OL, Wisconsin · 2021 NFL Draft, Round 6, pick #214 (GNB)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: position. Details below.
- Position
OL (OL group).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 59.3% of the time (919 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #286 (#23 at his position); he went #214, 72 spots earlier. So teams were actually higher on him than the media board was; everyone underrated him.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 48.9% of the time (896 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 5.11 40-yard dash at 305 lbs: faster than 74% of OLs 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.
- Availability
Played 51 of ~85 possible regular-season games from 2021 through 2025 (~60%). Plus 6 games so far in 2026.
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 numberslive
| Games | 57 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 1 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 9 |
| 2026 in-season credit (est.) | 2.5 |
| Redraft value (wAV + 2026) | 11.5 |
| Last NFL season | 2026 |
Career wAV via nflverse draft_picks + 2026 in-season credit from snap counts through Week 7.
The 2021 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2021 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Position OL | 59.3% n=919 | |
| Pre-draft rankings Taken 32+ picks before ESPN's rank | 48.9% n=896 | |
| Age 23 | 50.4% n=2,127 | |
| School Power-conference school | 50.3% n=4,181 | |
| 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", 305 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 5.11 s |
| Bench press | 22 reps |
| Vertical | 30" |
| Broad jump | 107" |
| 3-cone | 7.34 s |
| Shuttle | 4.64 s |
| Arm / hand | 33.38" / 9.75" |
| Age at draft | 23 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #286 overall (#23 OL) |
Picked around him 2021 redraft
| 211 | Demetric Felton | redraft #180 |
| 212 | Damar Hamlin | redraft #99 |
| 213 | Rachad Wildgoose | redraft #189 |
| 215 | Brady Breeze | redraft #219 |
| 216 | Quincy Roche | redraft #190 |
| 217 | Khalil Herbert | redraft #93 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.