DaQuan Jones
DT, Penn St. · 2014 NFL Draft, Round 4, pick #112 (TEN)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: pre-draft rankings, age, availability. Details below.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #78 overall (#7 at his position), but he lasted until pick #112: teams let him slide 34 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
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.
- Availability
Played 172 of ~197 possible regular-season games from 2014 through 2025 (career total from PFR, which may already include some 2026 games) (~87%).
- School
Penn St.: 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 5.35 40-yard dash at 322 lbs: faster than 2% of DLs 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
DT (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 | 172 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 10 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 60 |
| Defense | 209 tackles, 20 sacks, 1 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2026 |
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 Slid 32+ picks past ESPN's rank | 53.2% n=654 | |
| Age 22 | 56.1% n=2,011 | |
| School Power-conference school | 50.3% n=4,181 | |
| Athletic testing Bottom 25% at his position | 50.2% n=1,232 | |
| 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' 4", 322 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 5.35 s |
| Bench press | 25 reps |
| Vertical | 27.5" |
| Broad jump | 101" |
| 3-cone | 7.73 s |
| Shuttle | 4.78 s |
| Arm / hand | 33.4" / 9.5" |
| Age at draft | 22 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #78 overall (#7 DT) |
Picked around him 2014 redraft
| 109 | Ross Cockrell | redraft #80 |
| 110 | Maurice Alexander | redraft #112 |
| 111 | Russell Bodine | redraft #56 |
| 113 | Andre Williams | redraft #132 |
| 114 | Aaron Colvin | redraft #91 |
| 115 | Shaquelle Evans | redraft #229 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.