Danielle Hunter
DE, LSU · 2015 NFL Draft, Round 3, pick #88 (MIN)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: age, availability. Details below.
- Age
20 years old at the draft (nflverse).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 56.6% of the time (663 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 159 of ~181 possible regular-season games from 2015 through 2025 (career total from PFR, which may already include some 2026 games) (~88%).
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #85 (#10 at his position), close to where he went (#88). 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
LSU: 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 4.57 40-yard dash at 252 lbs: faster than 96% of DLs 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
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 | 159 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 7 |
| Pro Bowls | 5 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 83 |
| Defense | 382 tackles, 117.5 sacks, 0 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2026 |
The 2015 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2015 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Age 21 or younger | 56.6% n=663 | |
| 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 Top 25% at his position | 51.6% n=973 | |
| 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", 252 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.57 s |
| Bench press | 25 reps |
| Age at draft | 20 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #85 overall (#10 DE) |
Picked around him 2015 redraft
| 85 | Tyler Kroft | redraft #117 |
| 86 | David Johnson | redraft #34 |
| 87 | Sammie Coates | redraft #151 |
| 89 | Sean Mannion | redraft #184 |
| 90 | Carl Davis | redraft #104 |
| 91 | Chaz Green | redraft #131 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.