Darius Slay
DB, Mississippi St. · 2013 NFL Draft, Round 2, pick #36 (DET)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: age, availability. 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.
- Availability
Played 187 of ~213 possible regular-season games from 2013 through 2025 (~88%).
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #64 (#9 at his position), close to where he went (#36). 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
Mississippi 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 4.36 40-yard dash at 192 lbs: faster than 92% 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.
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 | 187 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 12 |
| Pro Bowls | 6 |
| First-team All-Pro | 1 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 66 |
| Defense | 544 tackles, 1 sacks, 28 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2025 |
The 2013 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2013 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 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", 192 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.36 s |
| Bench press | 14 reps |
| Vertical | 35.5" |
| Broad jump | 124" |
| 3-cone | 6.9 s |
| Shuttle | 4.21 s |
| Arm / hand | 32.4" / 9.3" |
| Age at draft | 22 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #64 overall (#9 DB) |
Picked around him 2013 redraft
| 33 | Johnathan Cyprien | redraft #63 |
| 34 | Justin Hunter | redraft #123 |
| 35 | Zach Ertz | redraft #15 |
| 37 | Giovani Bernard | redraft #29 |
| 38 | Manti Te'o | redraft #77 |
| 39 | Geno Smith | redraft #16 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.